Advocacy Services
Living with diabetes can be challenging at times. It is a complex and serious health condition that impacts on a person’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing; requiring constant attention, motivation and resilience to manage. Diabetes Victoria’s advocacy team recognise this and is here to help you.
Diabetes Victoria’s advocacy team understands that there are many things to stay on top of when living with diabetes. All these things play an important role in our social and emotional wellbeing. The topics below are areas that we regularly encounter when speaking with people living with diabetes.
Our advocacy team
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Susanne Baxandall
Hello, I’m Susanne, the Consumer Advocacy Coordinator at Diabetes Victoria.
My background is in nursing and social work. I am dedicated to ensuring people affected by diabetes have access to excellent healthcare. Our team listens to your concerns. We work to address the challenges of living with diabetes.
We engage with over 1,500 individuals, families, and professionals yearly. Our advocacy efforts spans all of Victoria. Your stories shape our work and guide our mission.
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Julie Davie
Hi, I’m Julie, an Advocacy Officer at Diabetes Victoria.
I have a background in social sciences and experience in helpline support. I’m committed to empowering people with diabetes and their loved ones to make informed healthcare decisions. I aim to stay engaged in their health journey.
When not working, I love to cook, travel and spend time at the beach. I am also a keen walker, gardener and tennis player.
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Karen Crawford
Hi there, my name is Karen and I’m one of the advocacy officers here at Diabetes Victoria. I am also a registered nurse and credentialled diabetes educator and have been living with type 1 diabetes for 40+ years.
I am passionate about combining my lived experience with my professional knowledge to work alongside and assist people with diabetes to find and access the supports they are entitled to so they can live well and flourish.
Away from work I enjoy being a Nanna and spending time with family; I also like walking, travelling, cooking, knitting and sewing.
How we help
- Listening to your diabetes story
- Working alongside you on any concerns or difficulties you may be experiencing
- Linking you with services, resources and information
- Building on your strengths and abilities to find solutions
- Working towards services and policies that value your lived experience and better support you in the ongoing management of your diabetes.
The most common topics people living with diabetes seek our advice and support on are listed below.
If you have any further questions or would like to speak to someone from our team, please call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700 and ask to speak to the advocacy team. Alternatively, you can email advocacy@diabetesvic.org.au to arrange a conversation
