Day and evening winter workshops will be running throughout South Auckland to help people cope with long-term conditions including some sessions tailored specifically around Diabetes.

Long-term conditions are any health problems lasting 6 months or more. This includes common conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, gout and lung disease, which if not managed properly can cause ill health or even premature death.

If people find out early that they have a long-term condition and make some positive changes, complications can usually be prevented. The ‘My Health: our L.I.F.E (Living Improvements for Everyone)’ workshops running across the Counties Manukau region can help people learn to manage their conditions better and slow the progression of their disease.

Workshops are free and open to anyone with a long-term condition, including friends and family.

A number of organisations run specific modules for people with Diabetes. They kick off by letting people know what Diabetes actually is and how it affects the daily life of the person with diabetes. Experts are available to answer questions, such as what can I eat? and why should I take my tablets? The supermarket tours are very popular and great for helping with the food shopping (including budget tips).

The My Health: Our L.I.F.E. workshops allow people to meet others with similar health issues and share solutions to everyday problems as well as an opportunity to learn techniques to  help them be more confident and manage their health condition more effectively. ‘We’ve been running these workshops for 12 months now and the feedback has been so positive. Participants love it and find the sessions really worthwhile. They even want to keep coming back when it has finished. Some have made lasting friendships and others have noted improvements in their relationships, confidence as well as health. It is great to see such a turn around in people’s lives’ says Sarah Buzink, one of the facilitators.

Sessions are currently being held in Mangere Central, Mangere East, Papatoetoe, Manurewa, Pukekohe, East Tamaki and Botany. Standard workshops are held once a week for 6 weeks. There are also workshops tailored to specific groups such as Pacific, Maaori, South Asian and Men’s groups. Facilitators can even come to your work, community group, marae or community centre if you can identify 10-15 people interested in doing one of these courses.

For more information about the workshops contact Sarah Buzink at 2629547 or Gayle Sinclair 3757822, or ask for a Self-Management Group referral from your doctor.If you have diabetes you can also ask your doctor about the 'Get Checked' programme. Get Checked is a free annual diabetes check provided by practice nurses and general practitioners for people with diabetes.