Our resource hub is home to a wealth of articles, stories and videos about managing and living with type 1 diabetes.
Place your order for our free information packs that support adults and children who have been recently diagnosed.
Our researchers are working on different ways to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes - from growing insulin-producing beta cells in labs to hacking the immune system.
Learn about the technologies that can deliver insulin automatically when needed. And discover the next generation of insulins that are currently being developed.
You could win a cash prize of up to £25,000 when you play the Breakthrough T1D lottery. As well as the chance to win great prizes, you’ll also help fund our research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Researchers need your help. By taking part in research studies and clinical trials, you will help them make progress to improve lives and find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Our ambitious new roadmap is aimed at driving significant advancements in type 1 diabetes research, treatment, and care.
Your donation helps support people living with type 1 diabetes and funds the best treatment and cure research.
We provide a wealth of information and free resources to help you support and empower your patients or students.
Take our free course for schools to learn more about supporting pupils with type 1 diabetes in educational settings.
Home > News & events > News > Letter to Gillian Keegan about the use of mobile phones in schools
Dear Secretary of State,
I am writing to you following your announcement that the Government is looking to ban mobile phones in school.
Around thirty thousand children in the UK live with type 1 diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring and insulin dosage is delivered, for the vast majority of these children, via their mobile phone.
Insulin is a hormone which the body needs in order to convert glucose from food into energy. In type 1 diabetes the body does not produce insulin, meaning people need to administer insulin frequently at all times of day and night. A range of factors will cause potentially serious blood glucose highs and lows including food intake, exercise, tiredness, adrenaline.
Mobile phones are not just a form of communication for children living with type 1. Their phones are a lifesaving treatment device, recommended by the NHS and regulators to reduce potentially fatal high and low blood glucose spikes. They need their phones in exams, in the playground, in lessons, at lunch and during PE. There are agreed rules and processes to support children in all these circumstances.
Headline policies about banning mobile phones for children do not take into account advances in medical treatments and technologies, and blanket statements that offer little to no detail on exemptions can cause great consternation for parents and children with type 1.
I trust that such exemptions will be allowed and that you will make these known in due course.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Karen Addington Chief Executive, JDRF, the Type 1 Diabetes Charity
Managing type 1 after a new diagnosis can be a steep learning curve. Our guide covers managing your child’s type 1, treatment and technology for children and how to manage all stages of your child’s education.
Learn about the different types of tech for monitoring blood glucose levels and getting insulin into your child’s body. Find out how to access type 1 tech on the NHS and learn from others’ stories.
Continuous glucose monitoring can help you manage your glucose levels in real-time and relieve the burden of having to do multiple finger prick tests throughout the day. Learn more about this tech.
We look at a new feature coming to the CamAPS FX app, which will allow users to remove the need to count carbohydrates before a meal.
In draft guidance published today, NICE recommends that anyone with type 1 diabetes who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy should be offered pregnancy-specific HCL technology.
Discussing the main themes from this year's Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes conference – early detection, cellular cures and disease-modifying therapies.
Highlights from an extraordinary year in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, treatment, advocacy and policy.
Immunotherapy, beta cell replacement, smart insulins – we’re driving research in the most promising areas to find cures and better treatments for type 1 diabetes.
