Parent Support Group

This section of Northanpton Area Group is active in giving support to families who have children under the paedriatic care of Northampton General Hospital.

Two very popular free events are held every year:

• Grendon Hall Residential Activity Weekend
• annual Christmas party.

The group is run by Julie Lawrence who can be contacted for further information on 01604 859280 or by email at julie.lawrence1@tesco.net

Grendon Weekend,  May 15 - 17 2010

Another highly successful and enjoyable weekend for the families with children who have diabetes was held at Grendon Hall.  Contrary to the norm, the weather was absolutely beautiful allowing everyone to enjoy the splendid grounds and the young folks the many sporting activities. Fewer people were resident this year and there were more day guests on the Saturday when 100 children, parents and helpers enjoyed lunch.

The parents attended a programme of talks and workshops with various members of the paediatric diabetes team - consultant, nurse and dietitian and the adult diabetes consultants throughout the day. The children of two families had been diagnosed for less than a week!

Whilst this was going on, the children enjoyed a wide range of sporting activities - abseiling, quad biking, archery, 'crossing the swamp', climbing the wall & the high wire and the younger children their own mini assault course and carpentry and craft activity. The families met up for meals and a large party was held in the evening. This year, there were several children who have insulin pumps; it was wonderful to see them talking to each other and sharing their experiences.

At all times the children were supervised by trained sports leaders from Grendon Hall but at the same time there were a large number of voluntary helpers supporting the children. All helpers had undertaken CRB checks and Diabetes UK safeguarding training in line with Diabetes UK policy for such events.

Once again, we are extremely grateful to Julie Lawrence for organising this weekend and to her team of helpers - Rosemary, Anne, Andy, Beth and Richard who were resident for the whole weekend and for all the others who helped on the Saturday. It was wonderful to have so many young helpers this year, many of them friends and work colleagues of Julie's family.

Other volunteer helpers were parents, sister, young person with diabetes and her fiancé who had attended Grendon weekends in years past.