YLC’s achievements in 2015-2016: a review

We’ve had a busy year at the YLC, and June has presented some changes in the makeup of the committee. We welcome Melisa Kelly, previously our Relationships & Social Media Officer, as the new President and thank outgoing President Natalia Sampaio for her hard work and commitment over the past year. This yearly change of guard gives us the opportunity to review our goals and strategies, and reflect on our achievements.

Our committee goals are:

• Promote awareness of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
• Raise funds for medical research into T1D treatment and cure, with a goal of $15,000 per year
• Build a community for young adults in Melbourne with T1D.

We have three broad areas where we gauge our success; fundraising, engagement, and awareness/advocacy. This year we have made fantastic advances in these three areas, including two successful fundraising events and increased engagement of our target demographic. Below are highlights of this year’s achievements in each area:

Fundraising

• Held two events, Science Freaktion Halloween Party (October 2015) and Bowls, Beer & BBQ Fundraiser (April 2016)
• Raised a total of $12,422, of which net profit was $10,407
• Established working relationships with two research institutes – St Vincents Institute and Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

Engagement

• Grown Type One Tastings peer support group, with over 100 members in online Facebook group, and steady attendance at meet-ups of between 15-30 people
• Extended our network, and attracted people from Type One Tastings to fundraising events
• Had attendance of 227 people at fundraising events
• Increased new engagement with YLC, including new members and contact with other organizations.

Awareness and Advocacy

• Distribution of safety cards (Hypoawareness, Safe Drinking)
• Provided access for Type One Tastings members to info on T1D research and clinical trials
• Outlined areas of advocacy interest and priority within the committee, to be targeted in future.

This year, in addition to our continued fundraising events and community support through Type One Tastings, we are also keen to do more advocacy work for young adults with T1D. We have identified key areas of advocacy priority as: Mental Health and T1D, access/funding for the CGM and insulin pumps, improved public and health worker education on T1D vs. Type 2 Diabetes, and education for young people on safety and T1D. Throughout the year, we will be focusing on these four key areas to determine how we can contribute to increased awareness and positive outcomes for young adults with T1D. We hope to participate in the growing public discussions on some of these issues, and thus further contribute to the T1D community.