Diabetes UK uses Lego to address diabetes myths

Diabetes UK has teamed up with Lego artist Brickabetes to promote a video that aims to dispel the myths and misunderstandings associated with diabetes.

The short clip features Lego figurines acting out everyday scenarios - such as eating sweets, exercising and working - in which people living with diabetes often face stigma.

It aims to address the inaccuracy of these common assumptions, highlighting the hurt and frustration many feel over their unfounded and unfair nature.

Brickadetes took to Instagram and Twitter at the start of this year to share a steady stream of wryly informative Lego-based pictures tackling common issues and concerns with diabetes.

The video Brickabetes produced was a part of this year's Diabetes Week, an annual awareness campaign, that centred around the theme of 'Setting the record straight'.

The UK charity has also recently launched a new resource for scriptwriters and producers to enable more accurate coverage of diabetes onscreen.

Its 'Top Tips For Writers' guide outlines what is known and not known about the condition, the differences between type 1 and 2 diabetes, and the importance of research in the portrayal of a condition that isn't “one size fits all”.

Commenting on the new outreach programme, chief executive of Diabetes UK Chris Askew explained: “Each time diabetes is featured in a storyline is a huge opportunity to raise awareness of this serious condition which affects four million people in the UK.

“Scriptwriters and producers can play a hugely important role in increasing awareness and understanding of diabetes by depicting it accurately in their storylines - I strongly urge them to keep this guide at their fingertips to ensure this happens every time.”

Diabetes UK also offers its support to writers in the form of fact checking and providing cases studies, data and information on the use of language when dealing with the condition onscreen.

• Download the 'Top Tips For Writers' guide here.