Know the signs of diabetes and act early

This November, to mark World Diabetes Day, we are working with the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme team to host an awareness talk and drop-in sessions to share information and support across the borough.

These free sessions are for you if you are aged 40 or over, are from an ethnic minority community, are overweight or less active, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or have a family history of diabetes. Everyone is welcome to come along and learn more about the signs of diabetes and get to Know Your Risk.

An estimated 12,000 people in Richmond upon Thames may be living with diabetes, including those with and without a diagnosis. Of these, approximately 5,700 are estimated to have undiagnosed diabetes.

Early signs of type 2 diabetes can be mistaken for a viral infection or another illness, including:

• Increased thirst: Feeling thirsty more often than usual 
• Frequent urination: Needing to pass urine more frequently, particularly at night. 
• Increased tiredness: Feeling unusually tired or lacking energy 
• Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without making changes to diet or physical activity. 
• Blurred vision: Experiencing blurred eyesight. 
• Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal

Find out more about the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

Come along to hear from our public health officers and the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme about the signs and symptoms of diabetes and more.

Diabetes awareness talk

• Date: Monday 9 November 2026
• Time: 11am
• Location: Multicultural Richmond, Whitton Social Centre

Diabetes awareness drop-ins

We have two diabetes awareness drop-in sessions taking pace at Whitton Library and Hampton Library.

Whitton Library

• Date: Tuesday 17 November 2026
• Time: 12pm
• Location: Whitton Library

Hampton Library

• Date: Wednesday 18 November 2026
• Time: 12pm
• Location: Hampton Library 

Advice for people affected by or living with diabetes

Winter can pose serious health risks, particularly for people living with diabetes. Illnesses like cold and flu can be more severe and can make it harder to manage your diabetes.

Find out what you can do to stay well this winter. 

Diabetes prevention and awareness 

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. Finding out your risk is the first step – it is important to know the risk factors and what support is available to help you make changes to reduce your risk.

Find out how to sport the signs of type 2 diabetes.