Diabetes Week 2025
What is Diabetes Week?
Diabetes Week runs from 9 to 15 June, with this year’s focus on encouraging for those living with diabetes. The campaign is led by Diabetes UK, an organisation dedicated to educating the public and supporting efforts to tackle this chronic condition.
The campaign strives to spotlight the importance of these health checks, even if individuals may feel as though not necessary. Regular monitoring and testing are crucial to those living with diabetes.
Diabetes UK encourages the public to get involved by sharing their experiences, promoting events in support of the cause and utilising digital resources to spread awareness about the significance of regular health checks for diabetes management.
Find out more about the campaign and resources here.
Types of diabetes
Understanding diabetes and its various types is essential to fully grasp the severity of this chronic disease. Diabetes is a long-term chronic disease, where the body either lacks the ability to produce enough insulin or cannot use it properly, leading to high levels of sugar in the blood, which can cause serious health problems over time.
The various types of the chronic illness include:
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body stops making insulin, usually starting in children or young adults, and it requires daily insulin medication. It accounts for about 8% of all diabetes cases in the UK.
- Type 2 diabetes is the most common type, making up around 90% of cases. It happens when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it properly, often linked to being overweight, inactive, or having a family history of diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after birth but raises the risk of developing type 2 later.
- Prediabetes means blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet diabetes and affects millions in the UK; it can often be reversed with lifestyle changes.
- Other less common types include monogenic diabetes, type 3c (from pancreatic damage), and diabetes caused by conditions like cystic fibrosis or steroid use.
Find out more about the various types of diabetes here.
Diabetes UK has also created resources about diabetes in different languages. If you would like further information, contact their free helpline on 0345 123 2399.
Symptoms of diabetes
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often appear suddenly, while those of type 2 diabetes tend to develop gradually and can be harder to notice. Common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Feeling increasingly thirsty
- Constant tiredness or lack of energy
- Unexplained weight loss
- Genital itching or recurring thrush
- Slow healing of cuts or wounds
- Blurred or affected vision
- Increased hunger
If you experience any of these signs, it’s important to speak to your GP and request a blood test.
Not everyone with type 2 diabetes has symptoms, so it's important to get checked out.
Check your risk
Diabetes UK has created a Know Your Risk tool to help you find out your risk and get advice on next steps to take.
You can also get a free NHS health check if you're aged between 40 and 74 years old and do not have an existing health condition. Ask your GP surgery or local pharmacy for this check which help you understand if you're at a high risk of health problems such as diabetes.
Support for diabetes
Diabetes UK offers a range of support services for individuals with diabetes, their community, and those at risk. You can contact their Helpline services helpline for information and emotional support. For real time support, Diabetes UK offers a live chat service on weekdays. Find out more about ways you can contact them for advice.
They also have Learning Zone service that provides free tailored education to help manage diabetes. You can also join their online forum to connect with those living with diabetes, their families and to share experiences and tips.
More details can be found on the Diabetes UK Support for You page.
Local support is also available for those diagnosed with diabetes to help patients control their diabetes and reduce the risk of short and long term complications.
Westminster community diabetes service
Phone: 020 8102 5003
Email: clcht.centrallondondiabetes@nhs.net
Kensington and Chelsea community diabetes service
Phone: 020 8102 5003
