A series of online support groups to help Surrey residents diagnosed with diabetes is being launched in February by the national Diabetes UK charity.

The Surrey Downs Diabetes UK group urged people in Epsom, Dorking, Banstead and Leatherhead impacted by diabetes to sign up and continue to solidarity that sees members exercise and socialise more closely together.

Amid the ongoing lockdown aimed to curb the spread of Covid-19, sessions will run every two weeks from Tuesday (February 2) at 7.30pm on Zoom and continue through May 11.

The sessions will discuss topics such as diet, exercise and recognising undiagnosed symptoms.

Local volunteers John, Laura, Nicole and Rebecca, who set up the Surrey Downs group in 2019, all live with diabetes and will coordinate the sessions themselves.

"Many people with diabetes know the importance of improving their health, keeping to a healthy weight and overall diabetes management but it can be a struggle to do this alone!" Nicole said.

"This is a way to keep us connected. Our group is very friendly and informal - but it does give people the opportunity to have a little chat about topics relevant to people with the condition.

"We very much hope to be able to resume our walks in the spring and to meet more people with diabetes in person, but in the meantime, these sessions still allow us to be there for each other," she added.

The groups will likely prove a boon for people living with diabetes during lockdown who can see a number of the best ways to keep the disease in check, such as exercise, restricted by the current rules.

Ewell man Paul Day for example, who works part time as a plumber at Fulham Football Club, described the importance of exercise in how he controls his type 2.

"I felt really tired, had no energy and knew I needed to raise my activity levels when the first lockdown totally stopped my normal exercise routine," he said.

"Once the lockdown eased in the summer, I started going on walks with the group and although I was a bit out of puff at first, I soon noticed a change. I can now walk further and much more easily.

"I've also changed the way I eat and as a result, lost some weight, too. Fagin, my dog, now struggles to keep up with me!

His exercise group have now moved online and to messaging apps, and he urged others impacted by diabetes to join the online sessions:

"These sessions will be a local source of support for people with diabetes on how to handle the condition during the lockdown," Paul said.

"Type 2 diabetes is serious and if left untreated it can lead to serious complications such as stroke, kidney disease and amputation.

"I’m really looking forward to joining in on the online group sessions to gain more knowledge, and also, to share my own personal experience."

For more information and to sign up, click here.