A new support group is being set up in High Wycombe by a diabetes charity for families of children with diabetes.

The group, formed by Diabetes UK, will be supported by paediatric teams from Wycombe General and Stoke Mandeville hospitals.

Parents and carers are invited to an open evening on Wednesday May 18 at Princes Risborough School Community Sports Centre on Merton Road, Princes Risborough, to discuss how such a group can help families cope with caring for a child living with the lifelong condition.

Spokeswoman Emily Burns from the Diabetes UK research team will be on hand to talk about funded research in the UK for Type 1 diabetes which is a condition in which the body cannot produce any insulin. Its cause is unknown and is not currently preventable.

Elinor Dhesi (pictured above), 14, from Amersham, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was just six and mum Rosie, 45, who attended the initial meeting this month, spoke about how difficult the early years were for the family and how a group like this would be welcome in the area.

She said: “We as a family have been living with the condition for eight years. We were shocked when she was diagnosed as we did not know anyone else who had the same condition in our family.

“It would have been really good if there had been a local group who could have helped us understand more about the condition and how to cope with it as it was completely new to us.

“I think it will be very useful to have a group in High Wycombe to help with this.”

The family has already attended some of the national events held by Diabetes UK and found that speaking to other people in the same situation helped.

Rosie added: “When you talk to other people who are in the same boat, you get a reassurance that you are not making a total hash of it and it helps to get things in perspective.

“Children don’t want to think they are different to other kids and it has helped Elinor to meet other children in the same situation.”

Michaela Wragg, Diabetes UK’s south east volunteer development manager, urged families in High Wycombe who care for a child with diabetes, to attend the meeting and find out how they can be supported by the new group.

She said: “Often feeling like no-one understands what you’re going through can be tough but sharing experiences with someone who knows is often half the battle to managing the condition.”

For more information, contact Ms Wragg on 01372 720148.