Diabetes Victoria offers free type 2 diabetes awareness programs in a range of languages. At the moment, these languages include Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, Greek and Italian. These events are funded by the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
Living Well – Culturally and linguistically diverse communities
Diabetes Victoria runs ‘Living Well’ for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. These events are run by health professionals and covers topics such as healthy eating, annual cycle of care, blood glucose monitoring, managing diabetes when you are sick and information about the NDSS.
This program is run for people living with type 2 diabetes.
If you would like us to run a living well event for your community, please email the team at culturaldiversity@diabetesvic.org.au
Type 2 diabetes awareness sessions
Type 2 diabetes awareness sessions are delivered to community groups by a trained bilingual health educator, healthcare professional either in-language or with the assistance of an interpereter. The session will take place at the community groups’ local meeting place.
- Session length: 1 hour.
- Minimum numbers needed: 5 people
- Information is suitable for groups of men and/or women
The session includes:
- An overview of diabetes (type 1, type 2 and gestational)
- What is type 2 diabetes and how to manage it
- Where to get support
- How the NDSS can help you
The awareness sessions are delivered in partnership with the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH). and The Water Well Project Home – The Water Well Project .
For more information, contact the Aboriginal and Cultural Diversity Team atl culturaldiversity@diabetesvic.org.au
To speak to someone in your language, call the Multilingual Helpline on 1300 801 164.
Life! program
The Life! program works with interpreters and bilingual facilitators to deliver sessions to culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Life! is a free program to help you reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It involves:
- One session where you meet with the facilitator
- Six group sessions
The sessions talk about:
- What is diabetes, heart disease and stroke
- How to reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke
- Healthy foods
- Exercise
- Setting goals
- Checking progress
The program is available in English, Chinese and Vietnamese.
- Course length: 12 months
- Session length: 90 minutes
- Information is suitable for groups of men and/or women
For more information visit the Life! program website, email life@diabetesvic.org.au or call 13 74 75.
- To find out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes visit the Life! program website
- The Life! AUSDRISK test is available in Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese on our website.
Diabetes peer support groups
Diabetes peer support groups are for people with diabetes, their families and carers.
Peer support groups:
- Are a great way to meet other people with diabetes
- Help people keep positive about managing their diabetes
- Can reduce depression and lead to fewer diabetes problems
- Are a great way to learn and get diabetes resources
- Are an opportunity to listen to talks by diabetes educators and dietitians
You can find type 1 and type 2 diabetes support groups across the state, visit our support groups page for more information, or call the diabetes peer support group coordinator on 03 9667 1732.
To speak to someone in your language, call the Multilingual Helpline on 1300 801 164.
