Our success stories

When Karen joined the Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme (T2DR) in April 2024, she was living with Type 2 diabetes and wanted to make radical changes to improve her health.

“Not for the faint-hearted, but worth the effort. Plan for after you finish the programme and learn what foods help you maintain a healthy lifestyle forever.”

“As a lover of carbs, I found it difficult to manage my diabetes and over time my weight ballooned…It was at this point I made the decision that I needed to do something different and desperately needed to lose weight.”

With the programmes support, Gemma’s commitment delivered life-changing results.

Brian joined the Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme (T2DR) in October 2024 after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. His goal was to manage his condition and improve his overall health. At the time, Brian weighed 19 stone 2 lbs and had a tight 44-inch waist.

The programme gave him the tools and support to start a low-calorie diet, transition back to solid foods, and maintain healthy habits. The Wellbeing Way app helped him track progress and access resources throughout his journey.

When Alan joined the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) in January 2025, he was at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. He wanted to understand how lifestyle changes could help him lower his blood sugar and improve his overall wellbeing.

Alan’s commitment to the nine-month programme delivered life-changing results.

The Diabetes Prevention Programme is good, I really like it! The information, and meeting/hearing ideas from other people really inspired me to change my lifestyle.

I would encourage them to try the programme and see how it works. To take on board the encouragement and support from the coach and the other participants. It is great to see other people and their lifestyle changes.

The sessions were designed very well, and they were comprehensive. We got to see a variety of people from different backgrounds and this helped me to understand how other people cope.

The sessions were conducted by highly qualified professionals and it was clearly outlined: for example, some sessions focused on food, others on activities so it was balanced.

Alan, from Wokingham in Berkshire, was referred by his GP from Brookside Surgery following a Hba1c blood test that showed he was in the Pre-Diabetic range.

Being told this brought on a mixture of emotions for Alan. He felt he needed more information and support on reducing his risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Coach Versha

For more than two years, Versha has delivered the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, supporting participants through face-to-face groups, online sessions and tailored language programmes, including Gujarati.

“As a coach, trust starts with being yourself. Smile, make eye contact, listen and be present. Authenticity matters, which is why I’ll sometimes share some of my own experiences to help people relate.”

Coach Anna

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is built on a simple idea. If we want to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes across a population, we have to reach people before complications develop. That means meeting people where they already are, not waiting for them to arrive through traditional referral routes.

Coach Anna

We spoke to Anna Lycett, one of Xyla’s experienced health coaches. Over the past four years, Anna has delivered both the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) and supporting participants through face-to-face groups, online sessions and culturally tailored delivery, including Polish language programmes. Her experience gives her a clear view of how personalised support helps people feel confident, included and ready to make meaningful changes.

Coach Anna

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme gives people the practical tools they need to understand food, manage their risk and make sustainable lifestyle changes. Delivered by Xyla, it combines expert coaching with culturally tailored resources, so everyone receives advice that’s relevant to their lives.