I had the recent privilege of visiting the EDEN team at the Leicester Diabetes Centre — a nationally and internationally recognised hub for diabetes education, research, and innovation as part of my Professional Lead and on behalf of the forum committee who unfortunately could not attend. The visit was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when academic excellence, clinical insight, and nursing leadership converge. It also reaffirmed the deep and evolving relationship between EDEN and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Diabetes Forum — a partnership we’re proud to continue building into 2026. So, what did I get up too? Well take a look below:

Firstly, I had the great opportunity to meet Dr Joe Henson and tour the research facilities which was a definite highlight. His team’s work on lifestyle interventions — spanning physical activity, sleep, behaviour change, and multi-condition management — is not only academically rigorous but deeply relevant to frontline practice. Their approach moves seamlessly from epidemiological insight to practical implementation, using robust platforms to ensure real-world impact. It’s the kind of translational research that nurses need to see embedded in everyday care.

I then had the pleasure to reconnect with Alison Northern and hear about the extraordinary reach of the DESMOND programme — and how this is reaching out across the UK, with 100% digital coverage achieved in Wales. We discussed how nurses can be more actively involved in research studies and how DESMOND could be adapted for clinical areas like prison healthcare. This aligns perfectly with our EDI strategy and current work on needs assessments and continuity-of-care guidance for underserved populations.

I also had the opportunity to speak with Senior Research Unit Nurse Manager and RCN member Sophie Devine. Her insights into collaborative initiatives with primary care services were inspiring — particularly around improving patient uptake in research and embedding research principles into routine practice. We explored the pivotal role of Clinical Research Practitioners in trial settings and how their work can be better recognised and supported across the system. These roles are at an supportive/assistive level but really highlight the vast career opportunities available to our healthcare support team.

Finally, I ended the day lunching and learning with EDEN Assistant Director Laura Willcocks and the brilliant James Ridgeway giving us a chance to reflect on shared goals. We discussed how we can continue to collaborate on education around diabetes, obesity, lipids, and long-term condition management — with a focus on enhancing member education and engagement. I am forever grateful for their support and listening to their expertise, the centre is a true credit to how we can combine research, education and clinical practice to enhance the standard of care we give to patients.

I got the opportunity to meet so many people, both members and non-members, and really understand the important work the centre is providing in the space of diabetes and long-term condition management. See our photos below, what a team they have!

My key takeaways (trust me I had many more than listed!) included:

• Research is for everyone. Nursing staff should never feel intimidated by research — it’s not reserved for academics. Every nurse can contribute to and benefit from research-informed practice, and we must continue to create pathways that make this accessible.
  
  
• High-quality education drives better care. The EDEN team’s commitment to rigorous, inclusive education reinforces the importance of investing in learning that improves standards and empowers staff across all settings.
  
  
• Collaboration creates shared outcomes. Whether it’s through strategic commissioning, digital initiatives, or co-produced training, effective partnerships between healthcare organisations and the royal college are essential to delivering equitable, person-centred care.

This visit was more than a meeting — it was a moment of alignment, ambition, and shared purpose. I left EDEN Leicester energised by the possibilities and proud of the role nursing continues to play in shaping the future of diabetes care. Thank you, EDEN, for our time together, I look forward to our next visit and our work together in 2026!