This session is intended to be informative without being too alarming. Activity one starts with a group activity to define hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and to discuss how to reduce the risk of these short-term complications of diabetes. Activity two aims to present the facts of the potential longerterm problems of diabetes. Participants are presented with the evidence that optimum blood glucose and blood pressure control, along with healthy living, reduces the risk of developing secondary complications. Visual aids have been developed to explain complex conditions such as cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy in simple terms. Individuals are also informed about Diabetes UK guidelines that indicate what to expect from an annual review, which procedures to follow in order to detect early signs of complications and the treatments available for such complications. Discussions around the prevention of both short and longer-term complications are an important aspect of the session.