What we do
Support
- Diabetes Victoria assists over 350,000 Victorians living with diabetes.
- We advocate on behalf of people living with diabetes who have concerns about workplace discrimination, access to community-based services and affordable diabetes medicines, among other issues; and we provide a voice for Victorians with diabetes through our representations at a government and broader community level.
- We work closely with almost 90 peer support groups throughout Victoria.
- We offer a membership program for more than 38,000 people living with diabetes, their families, carers and diabetes health professionals.
- We offer a free kids and teens membership to connect young people living with diabetes.
- We assist health professionals by providing them with information, resources and professional development opportunities to help them support people living with diabetes.
- We are the Victorian Agent of the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), which is an initiative of the Australian Government, administered by Diabetes Australia.
- On behalf of Diabetes Australia, we operate the NDSS Helpline: 1800 637 700.
- Since 2007, Diabetes Victoria has been funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to deliver the Life! program. The Life! program is available as either group sessions or via telephone health coaching for Victorians at risk of type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease. The Life! program is the largest such prevention program currently underway in Australia.
- A comprehensive range of retail products to assist in diabetes management is available online at Diabetes Shop. Diabetes products, subsidised by the NDSS, are available at approved pharmacies (Access Points) across Victoria.
- We run a collection business – collecting donated second-hand clothes and small household items which we on-sell to Savers Australia to support our work for people living with diabetes.
Research
- In conjunction with Deakin University, we have funded the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes since 2010. The ACBRD is the only research centre in Australia dedicated to the behavioural, psychological and social aspects of diabetes – embracing issues as diverse as language, emotional distress and mental health, social stigma, preventing complications and promoting self-management. The ACBRD has an impressive international reputation, producing consistently high quality, peer reviewed research publications which have had a real impact on our thinking and our approach to diabetes.
- Thanks to the generous support of our members and supporters, we are a significant financial contributor to the Diabetes Australia Research Program each year.
Empower
- We provide education, information and support to promote and empower self-management for all people living with diabetes.
- We have run diabetes camps since 1954 for children living with type 1 diabetes.
- Each year, we celebrate and acknowledge all those who have lived well with diabetes for more than 50 years at a special Kellion Victory Medal Award Ceremony.
Events
- Our biennial Diabetes Expo is Australia’s largest event for people living with diabetes. Diabetes Expo offers an opportunity to hear from experts in the field of diabetes as they discuss the topics that matter to our community. Attendees can also mingle and connect with a large variety of exhibitors on the day.
- Diabetes Victoria’s core message is that we want to support people living with diabetes to live well. Generously sponsored by our corporate partners, and with support from the NDSS, we host an annual series of events: Living Well with Diabetes around metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. At these entertaining information sessions, presentations are delivered by a range of diabetes healthcare professionals and specialists.
Campaign
- Each year, we run a series of media campaigns, raising awareness about diabetes as a serious and complex condition.
- We promote workplace giving programs; run regular fundraising appeals; and have introduced an innovative Regular Giving program.
- The diabetes community benefits from the generous bequests left to Diabetes Victoria by our members. These gifts contribute to research, support, and education programs for people affected by diabetes. Learn more about how to remember Diabetes Victoria in your will here.
- We advocate for change to support diabetes research, care and management, this includes joining forces with others in the diabetes community and lobbying government. More details on our advocacy campaigns.