After a routine check-up and blood test with his GP revealed that he was at high risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, Andrew was keen to “take back control of his health”.

Andrew accepted the invitation to join the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme digital pilot which supports those at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes so they can reduce, delay or even avert that risk:

“My GP told me that my blood sugar levels were steadily going up and I wanted to put it right. I didn’t want to develop Type 2 diabetes.

The nurse recommended this new trial. I don’t really use technology and said it would be no good to me if it was too complicated. That was one year ago and I haven’t looked back since!

In simple terms, I wanted to bring my blood sugar down and get a bit healthier! Being on the programme has changed my lifestyle. I’ve stopped eating as much bread as I used to and I eat a lot more fruit. I work on a farm and have two Labradors so I am generally active but this programme has encouraged me to do more exercise than usual.

I have been on the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme digital pilot for a year and I feel like a changed man. I’ve lost 2kg and my blood sugar has dropped down from 44 to 41, meaning that I am no longer pre-diabetic. I have more energy and can sleep better, and I’ve found that making small, incremental changes has helped. I’ve also hardly eaten any chocolate in the last year – I’m really proud of that!

One of the things that I enjoy most about the programme is having Amy as my personal health coach – she has really helped me along the journey and it’s given me a helping hand in the right direction. Our relationship is great; I get a video message from Amy a couple of times a week with diet recommendations and fitness techniques personalised to me and my lifestyle. I send a text back and we keep up the conversation digitally. I also like reading the comments, conversations and helpful tips on the online community.

This programme has been a big change for me. I have tried diets before but haven’t enjoyed them, this programme has truly altered my eating patterns. I am buzzing with it, one year down and many more to go! I’d recommend it to anyone!
anyone!”