Why it matters
In the UK, nearly 168,000 people under 40 live with type 2 diabetes – a number that continues to rise. Younger adults often face faster disease progression and earlier complications. Yet they’re also less likely to attend structured education and face lifestyle-specific challenges like alcohol, stress, and career demands.
Despite this, few services are designed with their needs in mind.
About EMPOWER 18-39
EMPOWER 18-39 is a new structured diabetes education programme designed specifically for younger adults with type 2 diabetes. It addresses the real-life contexts and questions this age group faces. It aims to:
Support earlier intervention
Improve long-term self-management and reduce future complications, with the aim of improving people’s quality of life.
Empower young adults
Reduce the stigma around type 2 diabetes, equipping young adults with the tools to manage and improve their condition.
Increase education uptake
Provide education to a currently underserved group with a flexible, scalable model of structured diabetes education.
Want to know how EMPOWER 18–39 is already making a difference?
Our latest pilot, launched in partnership with NHS Lincolnshire is showing early success in engaging younger adults with type 2 diabetes.
Find out moreTailored, relevant content
This program is unique in that it’s a one-day, four-hour course and can also be delivered either face-to-face or via a video call. This provides people with the much-needed flexibility to fit around their busy schedules. Its tailored content covers topics such as:
- Alcohol and recreational drugs
- Relationships and sex
- Starting college and university
- Working life
- Travel and holidays
- Starting a family
- Coping with emotions
Meet one of our educators
“Structured education is an integral part of diabetes care, with strong evidence that attending improves health outcomes. Having a dedicated course for 18-39 year olds with Type 2 diabetes, where health outcomes are often less favourable, is great news. At EMPOWER, we’re confident that this course can positively impact people’s health.
That’s why it’s so important for healthcare professionals to ensure that young adults living with Type 2 diabetes are offered structured education. As the only dedicated course for this age group, we’re proud to take a step towards reducing the burden on the NHS caused by the rising costs of treating diabetes-related complications.”
Donna Sutton, EMPOWER Clinical Lead
"Since being diagnosed with diabetes, this is the first time I actually understand the condition. The course was interesting, especially the session on food labels. The pace was great, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions. I would recommend it to anyone."
Sharon
Can you help to improve health outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes?
We want as many people to benefit from this programme as possible. Here’s how we can work with you:
In the UK
Whether you work for the NHS or represent private patients or customers, we offer a range of end-to-end services including delivering the sessions, plus service referrals, management, and evaluation.
Find out moreAround the world
Wherever you are, with our Train the Educator programme, you could become one of our licensed partners and accrediting healthcare educators and deliver EMPOWER 18-39 yourself.
Find out more