Anglia Ruskin University collaborates with Diabetes UK

Students at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) have been working with Diabetes UK to find solutions for people living with type 1 diabetes.

The partnership is part of the university’s Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE) project, which has previously seen ARU students work with public sector organisations across Essex and Cambridgeshire to find tangible solutions to issues faced by residents.

Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas cannot produce a hormone called insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.

The latest part of the SHoKE project saw teams of students develop ideas to help those students living with type 1 diabetes make the transition from home to university, with four themes selected by the charity for further development: empathy and reducing stigma around diabetes; peer mentoring; a diabetes app; and a student information pack.

Students presented their work to Chris Askew, CEO of Diabetes UK, at an online event earlier this month, and the projects will be showcased in poster format at an exhibition at ARU’s Cambridge campus on Tuesday, 28 March.

Trudy Lynch, SHoKE partnership facilitator at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: “This collaboration with Diabetes UK has given our students an opportunity to apply their skills and exchange knowledge to develop some excellent ideas and understand the challenges facing those living with diabetes.

“Their proposals focus on contributing to the health and social wellbeing of young people and I hope they can be taken forward by Diabetes UK to bring benefit to everyone.”