A pioneering health initiative in Birmingham has successfully halted what participants described as a 'downward spiral' of wellbeing, delivering dramatic improvements in both physical and mental health for people with type 2 diabetes.
Community project delivers life-changing results
Funded by the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System's £22.2 million Fairer Futures Fund, the programme is run by the community organisation Communities Engage and Thrive and the charity Saathi House. It specifically serves residents in the west of the city, an area with high prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
The six-week course, which has seen 96 people complete it so far with 24 more set to finish by year's end, focuses on diabetes management. However, its impact has been far broader. Evaluation data reveals that 52% of attendees have seen their blood sugar levels reduce significantly.
Parveen Talwar, Founder and Director at Communities Engage and Thrive, explained the programme's holistic approach. "People know in the majority who have got diabetes, [they also have] high cholesterol, high blood pressure, inflammation, arthritis, anxiety – many other health conditions as well," she said. "We're getting some real impactful data saying, yes, the stress levels have reduced, the sleep has improved."
Personal stories of transformation
Testimonials from participants underscore the profound effect. Satish Kumar, 72, joined fearing he would be put on insulin. "It has brought my sugar level down, my blood pressure down, it has changed my eating habits," he stated. "I would like them to continue this – it is really helping the community and putting less burden on the NHS."
For Naz Akhtar, 50, the programme was a lifeline for her mental health. Having suffered from anxiety and depression to an almost agoraphobic level, she said, "I can't stress how much this has changed my life. Health wise, I've lost weight, my sugars are better, I've halved my medicine. But more than that is my mental health. I'm back to my normal self almost 100 per cent."
Eric Johnson, 64, diagnosed in 2009, has also seen major benefits. "I swear by this programme. This should be everywhere in all the communities," he urged. "My blood pressure was 175/120 and now come down to 147/98... I'm sleeping a little better."
Calls for expansion and a sustainable future
The overwhelming success has led to strong calls for the initiative to be expanded across all communities in Birmingham. The project is currently funded for three years, with the first year nearly complete.
Looking ahead, organisers are keen to establish a training academy to create 'diabetes and weight management champions', ensuring the knowledge and support can be sustained and spread within communities.
Councillor Mariam Khan, Birmingham City Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, endorsed the scheme. "Type 2 diabetes is really prevalent in West Birmingham," she said. "This course is really empowering people... It's not just a case of preventing diabetes but also about other health issues people face. There is evidence that shows programmes and interventions like this are changing people's health medically and also the wider well being impacts."
The programme stands as a powerful example of how community-based, preventative healthcare can alleviate pressure on NHS services while dramatically improving individual lives, turning a feared 'downward spiral' into a journey of recovery and hope.
