Friends of Know Diabetes

19/02/2026

We’ve got a strong few months ahead on the Friends of Know Diabetes Home Show.

Starting on 20 February, Alex Silverstein joins us to share his experience of navigating diabetes in Southeast Asia after spending a year there.

From there, we continue with:

✨ 6 March – Sue Collen on Total Body Walking and what the last year has achieved

✨ 20 March – Colette Marshall, CEO of Diabetes UK , with an update from the national picture

✨ 17 April – Anna Morris on health equities and what it means in practice

✨ 15 May – Dr Shelley Rahman Haley from the Royal Brompton on AI in heart healthcare

✨ 19 June – Karen Addington MBE, CEO of Breakthrough T1D, closing Diabetes Week

A broad mix of lived experience, national leadership, and clinical insight before the summer holidays!

These conversations connect local action with wider system thinking. From community activity to digital health and national strategy.

Something we continue to champion alongside MyWay Digital Health , London Sport and MyHealth London .

We hope you’ll join us.

29/12/2025

What a year of Home Shows it's been! ✨

We’ve heard from Diabetes UK, leaders and researchers shaping the future of Type 1 care, a Grammy-winning artist, Janice Watson, sharing her journey with diabetes, digital innovators like Liz Leggott and Joseph Casey transforming the way we think about primary care, and everyday champions like young Josh, living with a heart condition and inspiring us all with his courage. 💪

Here’s what we’ve covered in 2025:

💬 13 incredible live conversations.

🎙️ Conversations on diabetes, heart health, nutrition, hearing health, walking, blood pressure, stigma, and new treatments like Teplizumab!

😊 Helping people understand, manage, and live confidently with diabetes and other health conditions.

A huge thank you to every guest, viewer, and voice that's joined the conversation. Together, we’ve explored what it really means to live well with diabetes, and of course to care for our health, body, mind, and community. 💫

It's been an INCREDIBLE journey, and we can’t wait to bring you even more inspiring guests and powerful stories in 2026!

Until then, have a safe, restful, and healthy New Year.

Charlie, Mathi, Denis, Eve & Connie

01/10/2025

This week was World Heart Day ❤️

For many of us here, the link between diabetes and heart health is personal. World Heart Day is a chance to pause, reflect, and keep that connection in mind.

Small daily steps like moving more, eating well, and keeping up with your health checks can make a real difference.

If you feel like sharing, let us know what helps you take care of your heart while living with diabetes. Your comment might be exactly what someone else needs today.

25/09/2025

In 2010, Denis from the FKD team was diagnosed with both type 2 diabetes and heart failure after months of feeling unwell. At just 45, the news was life-changing.

With the right support, medication, and lifestyle changes, he turned his health around.

Dropping weight, taking up cycling, and later discovering Nordic walking. Now 60, Denis helps others in this community and others to get active to manage their own health.

Denis Collen, 60, from Stanmore, Middlesex, shares how a diagnosis of diabetes and heart failure spurred him to make healthy lifestyle changes.

23/09/2025

In October 2010, Imogen’s mum tragically died from an aortic dissection at just 58. 💔

An aortic dissection happens when a tear develops in the wall of the aorta - the main artery carrying blood from the heart. It’s often sudden and fatal, but with more awareness and research, lives can be saved.

As World Heart Day approaches, we’re sharing stories like Imogen’s to shine a light on hidden risks and the importance of heart checks.

Imogen is a devoted supporter, sharing her mother’s story to raise awareness of aortic dissection.

22/09/2025

Still smiling after last week’s Harrow Heroes Awards! 🥂✨

It was a joy to be part of Harrow Council's event that shines a light on the people and groups making a real difference in our community.

We’re proud to have been finalists in the Health & Wellbeing category, and huge congratulations to Harrow Trampoline Club once again for taking home the award.

Here’s to more moments that celebrate our community, our health, and the people who make a difference every day. 🩵

22/09/2025

At just 29, Dr. Sanjana Kochhar’s heart function dropped to 12%. ⬇️

She was critically ill and placed on the urgent transplant list. On 31 October 2022, she received the gift of a new heart.

Now 31 and working as a GP in Liverpool, Sanjana says her own journey with heart failure and transplant helps her understand her patients on a deeper level. 🙌

📖 Read more from the BHF: 🔗 bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/my-story/heart-transplant-sanjanas-story

A heart transplant in her twenties saved Sanjana Kochhar’s life. Now a busy GP in her thirties, she shares how it has helped her as a doctor.

19/09/2025

Olympic champion Duncan Armstrong OAM stunned the world in 1988 with his gold medal swim. 🏊‍♂️

But at 52, he faced an even greater challenge.

A major heart attack that led to emergency triple bypass surgery. With no obvious warning signs, Duncan’s story shows how heart disease can strike anyone, even elite athletes.

Now an Ambassador for the Heart Research Institute, Duncan is urging everyone to take heart health seriously: exercise, eat well, manage stress, sleep properly and get your heart checked.

Duncan Armstrong made history when he won a gold medal at the 1988 Olympics. Four years ago, the legendary swimmer survived a serious heart attack. This is his story.

18/09/2025

Friends, a FREE Type 1 Carb Counting online course with a live Q&A featuring doctors and specialists on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.

Don't miss it.

https://understandingtype1.mydiabetes.com

Carb counting that makes sense at dinner time. 🍛

Join a free online course that helps people with Type 1 turn real plates into real numbers. Learn how to count carbs, use insulin to carb ratios, eat out with confidence, and plan for everyday life.

What you get:

✨ Live Q&A with diabetes experts
✨ A certificate when you finish
✨ It’s free to join

Starts Wednesday 1 October, with a live Q&A is 6-7 pm (BST). So tag someone who’d find this helpful and save the date.

https://understandingtype1.mydiabetes.com/

18/09/2025

Last night at the Harrow Heroes Awards was one to remember! 🌟

A huge thank you to Harrow Council for organising such a memorable night and well done to all the finalists and winners.

Special shoutout to Harrow Trampoline Club for winning the Health & Wellbeing category, such an amazing achievement! 🤸‍♂️✨

We’re proud to have reached the finals, and it’s only fuelled us to make Friends of Know Diabetes even bigger and better.

That starts this week with our Don’t Miss a Beat Home Show. 🩵

This Friday, Meeta and her son Josh will be with us to talk about life with a heart condition - the challenges, the support, and what it means to keep moving forward together.

1️⃣ Join our supportive group: 🔗 Friends of Know Diabetes North West London: Empower, Prevent, Manage Health

2️⃣ RSVP to our next Home Show: 🔗 fb.me/e/4Wgy9EIhT