The pioneering programme for young people with type 1 diabetes, funded by The Steve Morgan Foundation, marked its first anniversary with a celebration event and a new name. Our Lives, Our Choices, Our Voices is now called Together Type 1.
The Together Type 1 programme launched in September 2022 in partnership with Diabetes UK with £5 million donated by the Steve Morgan Foundation – one of our largest single grants awarded. The purpose is to bring young people with type 1 diabetes together through the delivery of a UK-wide peer support programme as they transition to adulthood.
Run by Diabetes UK, the initiative is an ambitious youth-led programme on a mission to tackle feelings of isolation and loneliness in children and young people aged 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes. It will give young people the confidence to manage their diabetes and relationships with healthcare professionals in the way that works best for them. It also creates a community where injecting insulin, counting carbs, and juggling the ups and downs of diabetes is the norm. And where young people can connect with others who know what living with the condition is really like, swap stories, and learn new skills along the way.
The new name ‘Together Type 1’ better reflects the purpose of the initiative – to emphasise collectiveness specifically for people with the type 1 condition (and is a little less of a mouthful to say!)
Celebrating with our Young Leaders
On 30 September a celebration event was held in Manchester with the programme’s Young Leaders to reflect on progress and successes and plans for the next few years. This national gathering saw the official launch of the new Together Type 1 brand, hosted practical workshops for our Young Leaders covering social media content creation, campaigning and coaching, as well as provided opportunities to connect and make new friends.
Liam Eaglestone, CEO of the Steve Morgan Foundation, attended the event:
“The first national gathering for Together Type 1 was an inspirational day – hearing directly from young leaders and youth workers about the impact of the programme has fully reaffirmed the Steve Morgan Foundation commitment to supporting young people and young adults with type 1 diabetes. We are very much looking forward to seeing how the programme grows and develops to support more and more young people in the coming years”.
Read more about the Together Type 1 programme and our partnership with Diabetes UK.