Support groups
Support groups hold an important place in the lives of many people with diabetes. Research has shown that people who attend support groups are more confident about their diabetes and are less likely to suffer depression or stress, because they feel they have the knowledge to better manage their diabetes.
Support groups give you the opportunity to meet others living with diabetes, receive the latest information, learn coping and management skills and build friendships with like-minded people.
- Set up a support group
- Quarterly Forum for Peer Support Group Facilitators
- Support Groups running across Queensland
Set up a support group
The purpose of a support group is to bring together people who are living with diabetes, their families, their carers, health professionals working within the diabetes community, and members of the broader community who have an interest in diabetes.
Support groups can be as small as a group of two or three people who meet or talk regularly by phone or the internet to provide support to one another; or it could be as large as one hundred members who come together to hear information from guest speakers and health professionals, share in social outings and run special events.
Regardless of the size of the support group the objective is the same; to support people living with diabetes.
If you are interested in setting up a support group, please contact supportgroups@diabetesqld.org.au or phone our call centre on 1800 177 055.
Quarterly Forum for Peer Support Group Facilitators
Peer support provides the opportunity for people with diabetes to share their knowledge, experience, emotions, ideas and concerns with one another. Peer support can effectively supplement the knowledge and expertise offered by health professionals and offer assistance in daily management, social and emotional support, and linkages to formal health care or community resources.
Facilitators play a crucial role in maintaining the relevance, effectiveness and appeal of support groups. Often, facilitators undertake their role out of hours, without pay and on top of work and family obligations. In recognition of their importance, Diabetes Queensland convenes a Quarterly Online Forum for Peer Support Group Facilitators.
In 2020, many peer support groups had been unable to meet face to face. The forums will provide an opportunity to hear how groups have been faring since then. The forums will also provide an opportunity for Facilitators to:
- Share their experiences around dealing with COVID;
- Provide feedback on our quarterly e-newsletter;
- Discuss ideas for how the small grants program may be useful for Facilitators.
Support Groups running across Queensland
Below is a list of the current Support Groups operating across Queensland. Find one that’s close to you and make the connection.
Brisbane Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Lisa-Jane Collie lisac01@iinet.net.au
When: 4th Thurs of each month 10-11:30am
Location: Brisbane Square Library
Postcode: 4122
Diabetes United
Contact: Gus State, 0413 575 104, Gus.State@diabetesunited.org
Location: Brisbane City
Postcode: 4000
Comments: Bringing together people living with type 1 diabetes, families, friends, and healthcare professionals to collaborate and share experiences with best practices.
SEQ Young Diabetic Catch-Ups
Contact: Ashleigh Ricardo ashleigh.doss@gmail.com
When: Ad-hoc as needed – organised via email
Location: Online
Postcode: 4055
Kambu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetes Support Group, Ipswich
Contact: Suzan Chapman suzan.chapman@kambuhealth.com.au
When: Monthly
Location: Kambu Health Service, Roderick Street Ipswich
Postcode: 4305
Ipswich Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Marlene Staines 3281 4859
When: Monthly, 2nd Thursday 9:30-10:30am
Location: Ipswich Health Plaza
Postcode: 4305
Robina Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Maree Fisher 0407 051 005
When: Monthly, 1st Monday 1:30-3pm
Location: Robina Health Precinct
Postcode: 4226
Laidley Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Gloria Weir 5465 1704
When: Monthly, 3rd Tuesday 12:30pm
Location: Conference Room, Laidley Health Service
Postcode: 4341
Kambu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetes Support Group, Laidley
Contact: Suzan Chapman suzan.chapman@kambuhealth.com.au
When: To be confirmed
Location: Kambu Health Service, Laidley
Postcode: 4341
Toowoomba Type 1 Diabetes Junior’s (T1 DJs)
Contact: Jenny Thomson 0435 467 487
When: Parent facebook group; meet up bi-annually
Location: Various – parks/attractions
Postcode: 4350
Toowoomba & Darling Downs Diabetic Group Inc
Contact: Alma Moore almam@bigpond.com
When: Monthly, 2nd Wednesday 1:30-3:30pm
Location: Masonic Hall
Postcode: 4350
Goondiwindi Diabetic Support Group
Contact: Margot Hawker
When: 2 modes; bi-annual education day & monthly social meet-up, 1st Wed 10am
Location: Care Goondiwindi
Postcode: 4390
Goondir Sugar Shakers, Dalby
Contact: Marsha Dodd 4679 5900
When: Monthly
Location: Goondir Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health service
Postcode: 4405
Goondir Sugar Shakers, Oakey
Contact: Katrina Johnston k.johnston@goondir.org.au
When: To be confirmed
Location: Goondir Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health service
Postcode: 4401
Bribie Island Diabetes Support Group
Contact: To be confirmed.
When: Every 3 months, 3rd Wednesday 9:30-11:00am
Location: Church of Christ Hall
Postcode: 4507
Bluecare Diabetes Support Group
Contact: To be confirmed.
When: Monthly, 4th Friday 1pm
Location: Blue Care Caloundra Community Care
Postcode: 4551
Murgon Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Maree Watson 0428 681 823
When: Monthly, 3rd Monday 9:30-11:30am depending on teleconference time
Location: Murgon Hospital or Uniting Church Hall
Postcode: 4605
Dalar Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Genette Simpson 41 698 900
When: Monthly on a Tuesday (week varies based on coordinator availability) 10am-12pm
Location: Cherbourg Community Health Centre
Postcode: 4605
South Burnett Diabetes Support Group, Kingaroy
Contact: Allison Merton diabetescare@bigpond.com
When: Monthly on a Thursday (week varies based on coordinator)
Location: SB Care, Kingaroy
Postcode: 4610
Biggenden Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Carol Chapman cm@nbcs.org.au
When: Monthly, last Friday 10:30am-11:30am
Location: Biggenden Conference Centre
Postcode: 4626
Mundubbera Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Carol Chapman cm@nbcs.org.au
When: Monthly, 1st Wednesday 10:30-11:30am
Location: Mundubbera Community Development Centre
Postcode: 4626
Bundaberg & District Diabetic Support Group Inc
Contact: Beres Mooney 4152 4276
When: Monthly, last Monday 1:30pm
Location: Recreation Hall, Bolton Clarke Fairways
Postcode: 4670
Bundaberg Juvenile Diabetes Action Support Group
Contact: Beth Knight BundabergJuvenileDiabetes@live.com.au
When: Monthly, last Wednesday 5-6pm
Location: Be Transformed
Postcode: 4670
Capricorn Coast Type 2 Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Peggy Taylor 0429 476 601
When: Monthly, 2nd Saturday 10am
Location: Capricorn Coast Hospital Community Health Room 1
Postcode: 4703
Mackay Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Anne Weller 4952 2260
When: Monthly, 2nd Friday 9-11am
Location: Good Shepherd Lodge
Postcode: 4740
Type 1 Diabetes Peer Support Network, Townsville
Contact: Jess Wheeler 4775 6635
When: Quarterly 12pm
Location: Various locations
Postcode: 4814
TAIHS Diabetes Support Group, Townsville
Contact: Emily Marshall emarshall@taihs.net.au
When: Monthly
Location: Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service, Garbutt
Postcode: 4814
NWRH Diabetes Support Group, Mount Isa
Contact: Bella Busch Bella.busch@nwrh.com.au
When: Monthly
Location: North West Remote Health, Mount Isa
Postcode: 4825
NWRH Diabetes Support Group, Camooweal
Contact: Bella Busch Bella.busch@nwrh.com.au
When: Monthly
Location: North West remote Health, Camooweal
Postcode: 4828
Jumbun Diabetes Support Group
Contact: To be confirmed.
When: To be confirmed
Location: Jumbun Community Health Centre
Postcode: 4854
Dynamic Intent Cairns Type 1 Diabetes Support Group
Contact: To be confirmed.
When: Bi-monthly (even months), 2nd Sunday 12pm
Location: The Coffee Bean
Postcode: 4865
Wuchopperen Diabetes Support Group, Edmonton
Contact: Roderick Burke burker54@outlook.com
When: To be confirmed
Location: Wuchopperen Aboriginal and Islander Health Service, Edmonton
Postcode: 4869
Weipa Diabetes Support Group
Contact: Tonia May 0429 699 300
When: Monthly, 1st Tuesday 7pm
Location: Carpentaria Golf Club
Postcode: 4874
