Gro Health is ideal for people with type 2 diabetes who want practical support to better understand their condition, improve confidence and make sustainable lifestyle changes.

The programme provides structured education, group support, health coaching and access to digital tools to help you manage type 2 diabetes in a way that fits around your life. Sessions cover food, physical activity, medication, blood glucose, wellbeing and everyday problem-solving.

Gro Health is designed to support people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who may prefer evening or weekend sessions, those who need support in another language and people who want practical, real-world advice rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

The programme is available through face-to-face group sessions, virtual follow-ups and ongoing digital support through the Gro Health app and web platform.

Course style

The programme provides:

• Education: structured type 2 diabetes education covering how diabetes works, food choices, carbohydrate awareness, physical activity, medication, sick day rules, relapse prevention and long-term self-management.
• Face-to-face sessions: intensive in-person group sessions delivered by experienced diabetes educators, with evening and weekend options available.
• Virtual follow-up: a group follow-up session to help you review progress, ask questions and stay motivated after the core session.
• Coaching support: access to health coaches who can provide practical guidance, encouragement and support with behaviour change.
• Digital tools: access to Gro Health modules, tracking tools, recipes, meal plans and resources to help reinforce what you learn in the sessions.
• Culturally tailored support: recipes, meal plans and education adapted to different dietary preferences, faith needs and cultural food traditions.
• Family and carer involvement: family members or carers can support you where appropriate, helping make changes easier to maintain at home.
• Accessible options: support is available for people who do not feel confident using digital apps, including paper-based resources and telephone support where needed.

How does Gro Health work?

Gro Health supports you through a structured pathway that helps you learn, take action and maintain progress.

1. Enrol

Once referred or booked onto the programme, you will be contacted and supported to join a suitable session.

You will be able to:

• Choose from available face-to-face cohorts, including evening and weekend options
• Receive joining information and reminders before your session
• Share any accessibility, language, cultural or dietary needs
• Access Gro Health digital tools where appropriate
• Receive support if you need help getting started

The programme is delivered in local community and healthcare venues, chosen for accessibility, transport links and suitability for different communities.

2. Learn and take action

You will attend a structured group education session led by experienced diabetes educators.

The session covers:

• Understanding type 2 diabetes
• Blood glucose and HbA1c
• Food, nutrition and carbohydrate awareness
• Healthy eating in everyday life
• Physical activity and movement
• Medication awareness
• Sick day rules
• Managing setbacks
• Building confidence to self-manage

The focus is practical. You will be supported to make realistic changes that work for your routine, culture, budget and personal goals.

You will also receive a participant pack, including education materials, workbook-style resources and practical tools to help you continue learning after the session.

3. Follow up and maintain

After the core session, you will be invited to a virtual group follow-up.

This gives you the opportunity to:

• Ask questions
• Review your progress
• Discuss barriers
• Refresh key learning
• Stay motivated
• Learn from others with similar goals

You will continue to have access to Gro Health resources, including education modules, recipes, tools and support to help you maintain changes over time.

What support is available?

Gro Health provides:

• Face-to-face structured education
• Evening and weekend group sessions
• Virtual follow-up sessions
• Health coaching support
• Digital learning modules
• Recipes and meal plans
• Food and health tracking tools
• Peer and group support
• Paper-based materials for people who prefer not to use apps
• Support in multiple languages

Gro Health can support people with different dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, halal, culturally specific and family-based food preferences.

Who is the programme for?

Gro Health is for adults with type 2 diabetes who would benefit from structured education and practical lifestyle support.

It may be particularly helpful if you:

• Have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
• Want to better understand your diabetes
• Want support with food and lifestyle changes
• Are looking to improve your confidence in self-managing diabetes
• Prefer group learning with other people
• Need evening or weekend sessions because of work or caring responsibilities
• Would benefit from culturally tailored advice and resources
• Prefer a mix of face-to-face and digital support

What could you achieve with Gro Health?

People taking part in the Gro Health Type 2 Diabetes programme have shown improvements in:

• Confidence to self-manage diabetes
• Understanding of food, blood glucose and medication
• Healthy eating behaviours
• Physical activity
• Quality of life
• Weight management
• HbA1c and metabolic health outcomes, including type 2 diabetes remission.

In South East London, DDM’s diabetes education outcomes have shown strong completion rates and meaningful improvements in HbA1c, weight, quality of life and self-efficacy across diverse communities.

Accessibility and language support

Gro Health is designed to be inclusive and accessible.

Support includes:

• Evening and weekend sessions
• Accessible local venues
• Telephone support
• Paper-based resources
• Digital support through web, iOS and Android
• Translated materials where appropriate
• Multilingual coach and educator support
• Culturally tailored recipes and dietary guidance
• Support for people with lower digital confidence

The service can support delivery in multiple languages, including commonly spoken languages across South East London.

Awards and accreditations

Gro Health has been recognised for innovation, patient support and digital health delivery. The service is demonstrated in peer-reviewed publications to support weight loss and improvements in HbA1c and blood pressure. 

Delivered by experienced diabetes educators, health coaches and clinical leads, with oversight from DDM Health’s clinical and service governance team, the programme has won national awards including the HSJ Award for Empowering Patients.

Delivery methods

Face-to-face
In-person structured education groups

Virtual
Online group follow-up sessions

Digital
App and web-based learning, resources and tracking tools

Offline support
Printed materials and telephone support for people who prefer not to use digital apps