People in Usk are invited to a free Know Your Risk roadshow in the car park of The Co-operative food store in Bridge Street on Friday 21st August in memory of one of its employees, Lisa Jayne Howells.

The roadshow coincides with the re-opening of The Co-op which closed on Saturday, 8th August for a major makeover.

The community event is the first to be held at the new-look Co-op and will help people find out their risk of getting Type 2 diabetes and get valuable information about how to reduce it. The roadshow will also provide information on eating well and being active for people at risk and also those living with the condition.

The event is being organised by Diabetes UK, sponsored by Weatherhead Shop Design and hosted at the local Co-operative food store where Lisa worked. The 38 year old passed away last year as a result of complications of her Type 1 diabetes, a form of diabetes that develops when your pancreas can’t make insulin at all. It is unknown what causes it, but it’s not to do with being overweight and can’t be prevented.

The roadshow will help people find out their risk of Type 2 diabetes, which unlike Type 1 diabetes, can be affected by family history, age, ethnic background and being overweight.  Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are serious and can lead to devastating complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness or amputation.  But, if managed properly, people with diabetes can live long, healthy lives.

Diabetes UK Cymru’s Director Dai Williams said: “Four out of five cases of Type 2 diabetes can be stopped or delayed by eating a healthy diet, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight. That’s why we want people in Usk to come aboard and find out their risk of Type 2 diabetes so we support them in making the right choices to improve their health. Because once you know your risk, you can do something about it. For many people, the Know Your Risk roadshow is the first step to turning their health around and delaying or preventing this serious condition.

“There’s nothing scary about our roadshow and no blood tests. Our friendly volunteers and qualified dietitians will take you through a series of questions and measurements to tell you how likely you are to develop Type 2 diabetes over the next ten years. Finding out your risk doesn’t take long, but could be an important first step on the path to a healthier life.”

“What many people don’t know is that you’re more likely to get Type 2 diabetes if you’re overweight, especially if you are large around your middle, you’re African-Caribbean, Black African, Chinese or South Asian, you’re aged over 40 (or over 25 if you are South Asian) or you have a parent, child, brother or sister with diabetes.”

Alyson Meade, Manager of The Co-operative food store in Usk, said: “We are delighted to work with Diabetes UK and Weatherhead Shop Design to host this event in Lisa’s memory – it’s a significant day with our new-look store re-opening and, as a community retailer, we thought it presented the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and bring practical advice and valuable information about the condition to the community.”

Weatherhead’s Managing Director Dean Piper said: “Our support for Diabetes UK is so very close to our hearts, many of our colleagues battle the day to day challenges associated with diabetes. The diabetes roadshow in Usk is in memory of Lisa Howells, a colleague who sadly lost this battle and will help cement her memory in the hearts of her colleagues and the Usk community and stand as our legacy following the Co-operative food store refurbishment.”

 Anyone who can’t attend the roadshow in Usk can find out their risk of Type 2 diabetes online at diabetes.org.uk/knowyourrisk. For more information, visit www.diabetes.org.uk and follow news about the roadshow with the hashtag #dukroadshow on Twitter.