Leicester Charity Donates £26,500 to Fund Diabetes App for Children with Visual Impairment

Ulverscroft Foundation from Leicester has helped to fund the next stage of the Diabetes Educational Application (Deapp) tools for children with visual impairment, allowing them to be able to access information about their diabetes through large print books, audio sessions and educational resources.

Deapp launched in 2017 in Leicester and has helped to support children with type 1 diabetes to understand, track and manage their condition through useful videos to help reduce hyperglycaemic attacks, prevent sight loss and other complications. These educational videos show why it is important to monitor the glucose levels in your blood and manage their condition, helping many children become independent and continue with their daily activities.

Deapp: Diabetes App for Children with Visual Impairment Receives Funding Boost from Leicester Charity

Robert Gent, Chair of the Ulverscroft Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Leicester Hospitals Charity, which does so much to support patients and their carers in our local community. The Deapp project offers practical information, reassurance and support to children and families who are dealing with a life-changing diagnosis. The benefits will be felt nationwide and, by following the app’s advice, many children and young people will be spared the trauma of sight loss.”

Ulverscroft Foundation Supports Children with Visual Impairment to Manage Diabetes

Ulverscroft has generously gifted £26,500 for the creation of large print handbooks, audio versions and education tools to help prevent complications of diabetes. The interest to support this project has come from the Ulverscoft Foundation’s values to prevent visual impairment and Trustees who are retired paediatric consultants who worked at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and who have seen the impact that diabetes can have on children who are unable to manage their condition.

New Diabetes App for Children with Visual Impairment to Launch in Leicester

Sarah Lockwood-Lee, one of the founders of Deapp and Project Officer for Children’s Research at Leicester’s Hospitals said “Deapp is helping children to manage their condition independently, helping them become more aware of the risks and complications, and guide them to regulate their condition. This gift from Ulverscroft Foundation will allow us to provide audiobooks, large print handbooks, and educational resources such as a 3D model of the eye to demonstrate the impact of poorly managed diabetes.

Leicester Hospitals Charity Receives Funding for Diabetes App for Children with Visual Impairment

“We are so pleased with the support from Ulverscroft Foundation, which will help us provide these additional resources for young patients. Thank you for your support.”

Demelza England, Head of Philanthropy from Leicester Hospitals Charity said:

“We are here to listen to the staff at Leicester’s Hospitals to understand what will make a difference to the care of the community within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.  By working with local foundations and charitable organisations with similar values we can help make special projects like these happen. Thank you to Ulverscroft Foundation for your generous support for this project.”