The Steve Morgan Foundation has awarded £280,000 to Breakthrough T1D and DigiBete to enhance and expand a digital mental health support tool for children and young people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) across the UK. The funding will support the next phase of the “Coping with Diabetes” platform, which is designed to address the emotional and psychological challenges associated with managing the condition.
Research shows that young people with type 1 diabetes are at higher risk of experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and diabetes-related distress. The expanded programme aims to improve early identification of these challenges and provide more timely and personalised support.
The Coping with Diabetes tool is a digital resource integrated within the NHS-funded DigiBete app and co-created by Breakthrough T1D and DigiBete. It includes clinically approved content developed with input from the diabetes team at Leeds Children’s Hospital, part of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The platform provides age-appropriate educational films, animations, and interactive activities designed to help young people understand and manage the emotional impact of living with type 1 diabetes. It is available free of charge to individuals under 25 across the UK.
The new funding will support major enhancements to the system, including personalised user journeys, integrated emotional wellbeing screening, faster access to support services, and improved data-driven service development. These upgrades are intended to make mental health support more responsive and tailored to individual needs.
Organisations involved in the project have highlighted the importance of integrating psychological care into routine diabetes management. They note that addressing mental health alongside physical health can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for young people living with long-term conditions.
The Steve Morgan Foundation described the investment as part of its commitment to making support tools more personalised and effective, ensuring that young people receive relevant help at the right time. The initiative builds on previous funding contributions that helped establish the original platform and continues to expand its reach and impact across the UK.
