Belper Marlins are supporting the Derby Diabetes Fun Club with their mega swim event 22nd March 2026.

Derby diabetes fun club is 18 Years of Friendship, Support and Smiles.

18 years ago, a dedicated hospital play specialist i n Derby recognised that children living with Type 1 diabetes needed more than just medical care, they needed connection, confidence, and fun.

From that vision, Derby Diabetes Fun Club (DDFC) was created t o support children and their families navigating life with Type 1 diabetes.

What began as a small supportive gathering has grown into something truly special. Today, DDFC feels like an extended family within our local community, bringing together children, parents, siblings, and carers who understand the daily challenges and triumphs that come with Type 1 diabetes.

We meet once a month, and every session is filled with laughter, creativity, and shared experiences. Over the years, our activities have included craft sessions, baking, exciting trips out, visits from guest speakers, animal encounters, circus skills workshops, science experiments, and so much more. Each event i s designed not only to be fun, but also to help children build confidence and feel empowered in their diabetes journey.

Most importantly, DDFC has created lifelong friendships. Children meet others just like them, and parents find reassurance and understanding from those walking the same path. Together, we remind each other that no one i s alone.

For two decades, Derby Diabetes Fun Club has been a place of encouragement, learning, and joy-and we look forward to continuing to support families for many more years to come.

DDFC part of Diabetes UK.

What does DDFC mean to Amelie.

Amelie joined Belper Marlins in November 2018.  She had loved swimming since I first took her as a baby.  Amelie had worked her way through her certificates with swim lessons and was ready for her next challenge.  She has loved being part of the Belper Marlins family ever since.

It's not been as easy for Amelie as for most kids though.   Rewind back to 1 April 2015, when our world turned upside down.  Amelie was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.   She spent a week in hospital, whilst we were trained to look after her and her diabetes and then sent home with all the kit, bottles of insulin and an emergency telephone number.   Whilst we were trained well at the hospital, it was like taking your first baby home and having to learn all over again.  Nothing prepared us for the loss of the care free life we thought our child would have.  

Luckily for us, we were pointed in the direction of the Derby Diabetes Fun Club.  At first, I was angry! I mean how much fun could diabetes be?  We did however give it a go, it was then we realised what a fantastic idea it was.   

The club allowed the little ones to play with other kids with diabetes.  There were crafts, games, play nurses and the odd bit of education sneakily thrown in.   They got to make friends but the best part they could see other kids getting finger pricks and injections.  Up to this point Amelie thought she was alone.  Whilst the kids and their siblings were busy covering themselves in glue and glitter.  It allowed us parents to chat, swap hints and tips, support each other and enjoy watching all the kids have fun together.  It turned out that it really could be fun, whilst also providing a great support network.  

The Derby Diabetes Fun Club is a charity.   It relies on kinds donations to keep this valuable service going.  It must have help so many kids and their whole families over the years.   We certainly found it a lifeline whilst Amelie was young.  We have donated in the past but I saw the call out for a worthy local charity and I would like to put the DDFC forward for consideration for this years Mega Swim.

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