Let’s shine a spotlight on Alan, a full-time registered foster carer who joined the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme and hasn’t looked back since.
With a busy life spent caring for others, Alan hadn’t always put his own health first. But a routine blood test changed all of that.
A Diagnosis That Came as a Surprise
Alan was diagnosed with prediabetes after being invited for a screening blood test. He hadn’t experienced any symptoms, and his results showed he was at the lower end of the scale, but it was still enough to make him take notice.
“I wasn’t concerned with the diagnosis. I was aware that this was at the early stages and that I was lucky to have the chance to stop my health from deteriorating any further before any real damage was done to me.”
Joining the Programme
After receiving his results, Alan’s practitioner told him about the Diabetes Prevention Programme, and the timing couldn’t have been better as a new group was just starting up.
“I was looking forward to the sessions and having the opportunity to improve my diabetes score. I also looked forward to learning alongside other attendees.”
Learning More Than He Expected
Alan came to the programme with some prior experience of structured healthy eating, having previously attended Slimming World. Even so, he was surprised by how much he still had to learn, particularly around nutrition, sleep habits, and the power of making small, steady changes.
“The sessions have taught me a lot that I wasn’t aware of. It was also useful to learn about associated aspects from the programme such as good sleep habits, small step changes and the importance of increasing movement.”
Getting Moving
One of Alan’s most effective lifestyle changes was getting a puppy, which turned into a built-in daily exercise routine that has kept him consistently active ever since.
“I have motivated myself to move more by getting a puppy, which, for our family, has worked really well as I now walk for around an hour every day, in all weathers without fail.”
Paired with better nutritional awareness, Alan has lost around a stone in weight and noticed a real improvement in his overall wellbeing too.
The Support That Made a Difference
Alan speaks warmly about his practitioner, Tilley Ryan, whose friendly, non-judgmental approach made all the difference.
“Our practitioner, Tilley Ryan, was great. She was always very supportive but never judgemental. She was always able to give appropriate answers to any questions from the group. She was friendly and approachable and she was happy to answer individual questions by email if required.”
The group dynamic also played a big part, with participants sharing their own experiences and learning from one another along the way.
What Alan Would Say to You
If you’re considering joining the programme, Alan’s message is simple:
“I would recommend the course to anyone considering it. It is really useful, non-judgmental and informative. It is delivered in an informal way without any thoughts of going back to school.”
And perhaps most powerfully, Alan wants people to know that this is about far more than the number on the scales.
“It isn’t a weight loss programme as such, it’s much more than that. I found it to really be about giving us the skills and motivation to live a healthier lifestyle which leads to healthier outcomes, without pressure or judgement. I found it to be an excellent programme.”
Start Your Journey Today
Like Alan, you might be surprised by just how much you can achieve with the right support behind you. Our free, nine-month NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is here to help you make small, sustainable changes that can protect your health for years to come.
