Zoom call for people with diabetes to speak about emotions and difficulties.

Hey all. I've been type 1 diabetic for 29 years now, handled it pretty well but recently experiencing a lot of burnout. Speaking about diabetes with people who don't have diabetes is kind of pointless, not because they don't care (but it feels like it), but because they don't live with it every single day. I was wondering if anyone knows about type 1 diabetes zoom call support groups? a place where we can share our issues in a safe environment where everyone is understanding and perhaps sharing some experience/tips?
If so, would anyone want to invest time to create a group like that?


thank you ,
Kamil

Hi @lovinglife, and thank you for the kind welcome.

I really appreciate the forum and the support it offers—reading through the posts has already helped me feel less alone. That said, I’ve been doing group therapy and 12-step programs over Zoom for some other challenges in my life, and they’ve been incredibly effective. The face-to-face aspect, even virtually, really helps with connection, trust, and accountability.

That’s why I was wondering about a similar space specifically for Type 1 diabetes—somewhere we can see each other, share openly, and build a more personal support network. Forums are helpful, but sometimes it’s hard to form real connections or know who’s on the other side. Plus, as we all know, diabetes isn’t just medical—it’s emotional, mental, and social too.

I totally understand the need for privacy and safety, so I’m happy to invite anyone who’s interested to message me privately. If enough people are on board, I’d love to set up a recurring Zoom space where we can check in, support each other, and swap stories and strategies.

If this sounds like something you'd be into, feel free to PM me. I'm more than happy to organize or co-create something meaningful with others who really get it.

Thanks again,
Kamil

Jaylee said:

Hi @sqnsquadra , Kamil.

Welcome to the forum.

I’m not sure roughly where you are located. (Don’t tell me.)
But there is a T1 group who meets in the West midlands for live socials, if that’s close to & could be of interest to you?

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hey!
thank you so much for the info,
I'm around Guilford area, 20 min drive to Guilford.
tried to find some meetings in person but seems like they are all quite far away hence wanted to try zoom calls.
I appreciate your help tho !
Kamil

ElenaP said:

How about asking the DSNs in the hospital you attend? They may know of support groups.

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Hey , thank for your input. at the moment, its even hard to communicate with them about having counselling around diabetes burnout - went to see diabetes nurse and expressed how much im struggling, and ive been told ''youre still doing too well to be seen by endo''.

Martinstainer said:

Ask at you surgery if there are any support groups. We have a social prescriber who deals with all this type of thing. I attend both a monthly coffee and walk group through diabetes uk and a coffee morning arranged through my surgery.

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hey. that sounds lovely. i will definitely ask, but as i mentioned before - communication with diabetes team where i am is pretty poor.

Martinstainer said:

I looked at the diabetes uk website , there is a Facebook link for a group around Guildford, if that fails we have one in Basingstoke, first Sunday of the month

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Basingstoke is not that far, could you tell me more about it?

lovinglife said:

Maybe you could talk to your GP surgery about starting one up, they may let you put posters up etc?

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I can try, see if they would be willing to help. So far I felt like they don't really care that much.

ok just an update - as expected - spoke to my GP, gp referred me to counsellor, had a 40 minute call with a counsellor who said she will do research for me and see if there are any groups around here, no referral to therapy even tho I said I'm dealing with a massive burnout.
2 weeks later, she called back, told me she couldn't find anything... gave me link to this web page (after doing research for 2 weeks), which I already found way before and told me to look here.
I really think Diabetes should be awarded with 400£ extra income every month, in order to be able to pay for private therapy and group therapy as NHS is absolutely pointless at this point.
Anyways, thanks all for input.