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Support for Families
Type 1 diabetes can be a frightening and overwhelming experience for your whole family. Even as time goes on, you are all on a constant learning curve. That's why JDRF has developed support programs that can provide practical parent-to-parent advice and help.
Get connected
The D1 Connect program is a volunteer-run phone service which provides much needed support to newly diagnosed families.
Our volunteers understand how type 1 diabetes changes lives because they all have first hand experience of living with the disease. They can listen to your concerns, share their own experiences and most importantly, put you in touch with other families in your area living with type 1 diabetes.
"We fortunately met up with a family close by with a son with diabetes the same age as Ben ... which gave us a lot of confidence to look forward and cope with whatever was in store for the future."
Leonie, D1 Connect Volunteer
Based in Melbourne, JDRF's D1 Connect volunteers contact more than 700 newly-diagnosed families each year who have received a JDRF KIDSAC pack from their healthcare professional when their child was first diagnosed.
Family Mentor Program
JDRF's Family Mentor Program is a support network that connects parents within local areas who have been affected by type 1 diabetes. The program provides the opportunity for parents to share stories and to give help and advice to each other about coping with life with diabetes.
The Family Mentor Program also offers understanding, listening and support through the more difficult times.
The program differs depending on where you live, but may include one or more of the following aspects:
- Telephone support
- Coffee Club type social gatherings
-
Support meetings
Find other families
Contact us to be put in touch with families in your area.