Meet Bob, one of our incredible Community Connectors

At Breakthrough T1D, we’re proud to work alongside volunteers like Bob, people who generously give their time, energy, and heart to support others in the community.

Bob has been living with T1D for many years and is one of our dedicated Community Connector volunteers.

Sharing lived experience

I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes for many years, and over the past year, I’ve taken on a new role as a Community Connector with Breakthrough T1D. When I saw that the Community Engagement team were looking for volunteers to support their work, I felt it was the right time to step up and give something back.

The Community Connector role was new when I joined, so I’ve been learning as I go. There are three key parts to it: supporting healthcare professionals (HCPs), using my own experience to help others living with type 1, and representing Breakthrough T1D out in the community.

One highlight for me was attending a National Networking Forum for HCPs alongside Lesley, who leads on technology access. It was powerful to see how I could help HCPs in both primary and secondary care become more aware of what Breakthrough T1D offers, and the support available for people with T1D.

I also went to a Discovery Day event, and that really opened my eyes. Seeing people who knew so little about how they could better manage their diabetes made me want to do more. It struck me how often we assume everyone has the same knowledge, but that’s not the case. That day reminded me how much of a difference sharing lived experience can make.

Earlier this year, I represented Breakthrough T1D at a charity evening hosted by a local ladies’ National Farmers’ Union group. I gave a talk about the charity and accepted a donation they had raised. I thought, “It’s on my doorstep. Why not?” It was a great opportunity to say thank you and raise awareness at the same time.

Finding meaning in helping others

Volunteering isn’t new to me. I’ve been involved with my local rugby club for over 20 years in all sorts of roles. But as I’ve got older, I’ve started thinking more about what really matters in life. And for me, that’s helping others. You only get one shot at life, and I know there are people out there who are struggling to understand their condition. If I can help them, I will.

Volunteering with Breakthrough T1D has helped me reevaluate what’s important. This work matters to me not only because I live with T1D, but because my daughter does too. It’s made me shift my focus and spend more time on things that truly make a difference.

I also ran the London Marathon this year to raise funds for Breakthrough T1D. That, to me, is just as much volunteering as anything else. It takes time, training, and commitment.

One of the best parts was being part of the Breakthrough T1D marathon WhatsApp group. We supported each other through the whole experience, and we’re still connected even now. Some of us have T1D, some don’t – but everyone’s learning from each other. It’s brilliant for understanding and connection.

Creating a community

Looking ahead, I’m really passionate about building a local T1D community. Something like the diabetes online community, but face-to-face. With help from my diabetes consultant, I’m working to get something going locally. I’ll be really proud when it comes together.

If you’re thinking about volunteering, I’d say: just do it. Jump in first and figure it out. You’ll find that people are supportive and genuinely care. Hearing about the amazing things other volunteers do makes me value myself more and that’s a pretty powerful thing!

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