A North Wales man who dramatically reduced his diabetes blood glucose level following a shock diagnosis has praised self-management courses as a “lifeline” and is now helping others to take control of their health.

Alan Lawrie, from Penrhyn Bay, signed up for an Education Programmes for Patients (EPP) Cymru Diabetes Self-Management course after being diagnosed with diabetes in 2023.

Describing the diagnosis as a wake-up call, Alan said the six-week programme helped him understand the seriousness of the condition and make significant lifestyle changes that transformed his health.

Since completing the course, he has reduced his blood glucose level from 120 to 38 and has gone on to become an accredited volunteer tutor, supporting other people living with long-term conditions.

“The course was actually a bit of a shock and helped me reflect on habits such as buying cans of coke or having lots of orange juice and carbs,” he said.

“Some of the complications of diabetes can be losing a limb, having a stroke or having very poor mental health or depression. I think I just didn’t understand the implications until I was diagnosed, and it was a wake-up call for my family too.”

Alan now helps deliver courses and says he regularly sees participants gain confidence and build friendships as they learn to manage their conditions.

“As a tutor, it’s great to see how the participants change during the six-week course,” he said.

“They are looking for a lifeline, and by week three they are making friends and coming alive. The courses are about rethinking the situation, problem solving and reinforcing all the things we should be doing to help ourselves – such as exercise, having a diet plan and dealing with different emotions.”

The story comes as health leaders look to expand access to self-management programmes across Wales through a new partnership between the Bevan Commission and NHS Wales Performance and Improvement.

The collaboration aims to help more people living with long-term conditions gain the skills and confidence needed to manage their own health, improving quality of life while reducing pressure on NHS services.

The issue is particularly significant in North Wales, where diabetes remains one of the most common long-term health conditions. According to health board figures and national data, thousands of people across the region are living with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, while many more are thought to be at risk through obesity, inactivity and poor diet.

Across Wales, almost half of the population (48 per cent) lives with at least one long-term condition. These conditions can often lead to social isolation, anxiety, reduced confidence and increased reliance on healthcare services.

EPP Cymru’s courses are designed to tackle those challenges by helping people develop practical self-management skills, improve wellbeing and connect with others facing similar experiences.

EPP Cymru Self-Management Lead Christine Roach welcomed the new partnership and said it would help secure the future of the programme.

“I am thoroughly looking forward to working with the Bevan Commission to identify new opportunities to explore, develop and transform the EPP Cymru programme, ensuring it is both sustainable and fit for the future,” she said.

“Our goal is to expand and future-proof the EPP Cymru offer for NHS Wales and industry by maximising the skills, assets, network and drawing upon the independent lens and credibility that the Bevan Commission brings to the table.”

EPP Cymru provides support for people living with a range of long-term conditions, including diabetes, cancer, persistent pain, bone health conditions and HIV, as well as dedicated support for carers.

The programme is also exploring the development of a National Peer Support Service after a pilot scheme received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 97 per cent of participants describing peer support as highly effective.

For Alan, the message is simple: the right support can make a huge difference.

What began as a frightening diagnosis has become an opportunity to help others, with the Penrhyn Bay resident now using his own experience to show that positive lifestyle changes and peer support can help people live well with diabetes rather than be defined by it.