Inspirational Exeter volunteers win Diabetes UK Inspire Award

Two women from Exeter who run a coffee morning, and a group that supports families affected by diabetes in the city have scooped volunteering awards from leading charity Diabetes UK.

Gillian Epton and Jean Duddridge, who hold a monthly coffee morning in Exeter Cathedral Cafe in aid of the charity, and the Diabetes UK Exeter Snack Pack Group, which organises an array of activities for children with Type 1 diabetes, both received trophies at the 2018 South West Inspire Awards, held at the Castle Hotel in Taunton, Somerset.

Gillian and Jean, known affectionately as “Gill and Jean”, won the Supporting Others Award, given to volunteers who show remarkable support for people living with diabetes.

The two friends, who have both been living with Type 1 diabetes for more than 50 years, hold their coffee morning on the first Tuesday of each month between 10.30am and 11.30am. This is a friendly drop-in occasion where people living with diabetes and their families can exchange ideas and experiences in an informal setting. Gill and Jean previously served on the Diabetes UK Exeter Group’s committee for a number of years before they started the coffee mornings nearly three years ago.

The Exeter Snack Pack Group took home the Local Group and Community Award, presented to a group that works tirelessly to support people with diabetes in its community.

Last year, the group’s packed programme included completing a film with the Pauline Quirke Academy to raise awareness of diabetes, organising fundraising car boot sales for Diabetes UK, an activity weekend at the River Dart Country Park for young people with diabetes and a Christmas trip to Longleat. It is also active on social media.

Annika Palmer, Diabetes UK south west regional head, said: “We were delighted to present an award to Gill and Jean, who show such kindness, compassion and empathy, and are highly successful in reaching out widely to people and offering them support in a relaxed, informal setting.

“Our other Exeter winners, the Diabetes UK Exeter Snack Pack Group, do a fantastic job helping families whose children have been newly diagnosed and those who have had diabetes for a long time. It offers a very successful network online through Facebook and offline through their activities. The groups displays all the values that Diabetes UK holds dear.

“Through our Inspire Awards we thank our hard-working volunteers, like Gill and Jean, and Exeter Snack Pack, for their contribution and shine a light on the positive difference they make to the lives of people living with diabetes.“

For more information about becoming a volunteer for Diabetes UK in the south west or to join a local support group, please email south.west@diabetes.org or call 01823 448260.