DiabEasy as 123

DiabEasy as 123 Sonia Willis RGN has extensive experience in providing diabetes education for all levels of HCP’s.

As a nurse with special interest, I am absolutely passionate about ensuring people with Long Term Conditions, especially Diabetes, receive high quality care.To do this I have spent years studying throughout my career, developing my personal knowledge and skills so that I am better able to apply them in clinical practice and also to provide high quality education for other healthcare professionals. Since 2007, I worked freelance for "Education for Health" (based in Warwick) to provide education at various levels, from workshops to Level 5 diploma and Level 6 degree level modules in Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease. From 2004 I delivered DESMOND courses for people with Type 2 diabetes in Sheffield, where I live, through a Nationally approved Structured Education Programme (DESMOND stands for Diabetes Education and Self Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed). I never got bored of this as I loved the "light bulb moments" when people suddenly realise that managing their diabetes has a lot to do with common sense and it's not rocket science! I have extensive experience of facilitating learning as I also spent 5 years travelling the length and breadth of the country when I was a National Trainer and Assessor of the diabetes educators that run DESMOND courses. I left that role in 2015, when I temporarily held the role of a Diabetes Specialist Nurse in Stockport, covering a maternity leave. I was so thankful I was able to try this role as it was one I had always thought I wanted, but had eluded me. Every thing happens for a reason, as I soon realised I much preferred working in primary care, so at that the end of that contract, I bravely left the safety of my NHS role. I have absolutely no regrets and haven't looked back, as since I created my my own company "Sonia Willis Ltd" in October of 2015, I work totally freelance providing my clinical and educational services, even at the GP surgery I work at every week in Rotherham. I can honestly say I haven't been busier, so much so that I have so far been unable to really develop the idea of "DiabEasy as 123". This ironic concept came to me in my sleep one night a few years ago. Ironic, because although a lot about managing diabetes is common knowledge, (1) taking regular physical activity, (2) eating a balanced, healthy diet, and (3) following a treatment plan if on medication; doing all that every day for the rest of your life is actually NOT that EASY! However, the concept of 1,2, 3, applies in other ways to diabetes, such as the 3 complications that affect the small blood vessels, the 3 complications that affect the large blood vessels. The 3 factors that must be managed well in diabetes, Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol. So maybe I should have called my second business "Not as DiabEasy as 123"? During lockdown I designed an online Diabetes Foundation course on Behalf of Rotherham Respiratory which is accessible via their website.

09/12/2025

Quick update:
I have recently reflected that I have a preferred teaching style. I enjoy small groups that allow plenty of interaction. So, going forward I will continue to be independent and deliver my own courses, that I design and deliver in my own way on behalf of the training companies that I already work with.

Article in Diabetes Times. We need to do better!
05/12/2025

Article in Diabetes Times. We need to do better!

Less than half of people living with type 2 diabetes meet the recommended guideline targets for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, new international research has shown. A global study involving academics from the University of Leicester has found that only 12 per cent of individuals with t...

Also delivering another 2 days Introduction to Diabetes course for newbie’s on behalf of BBO training on 8th and 22nd De...
02/12/2025

Also delivering another 2 days Introduction to Diabetes course for newbie’s on behalf of BBO training on 8th and 22nd Dec. See link.

BBO Training offers specialist short courses for healthcare professionals across Oxon, Bucks, Berks and beyond. Learn from experienced clinicians and enhance your clinical skills with expert-led in-person and online training.

My next Diabetes Update is scheduled on 15th December on behalf of BBO training. As well as a refresher, What’s coming i...
02/12/2025

My next Diabetes Update is scheduled on 15th December on behalf of BBO training. As well as a refresher, What’s coming in the new NICE guidance is included. More on CGM management and other relevant updates. There’s a couple of places left. See link:

BBO Training offers specialist short courses for healthcare professionals across Oxon, Bucks, Berks and beyond. Learn from experienced clinicians and enhance your clinical skills with expert-led in-person and online training.

Delivering diabetes Update today on behalf of BBO and Network for Practice. Hope the lovely group of delegates enjoy the...
01/12/2025

Delivering diabetes Update today on behalf of BBO and Network for Practice. Hope the lovely group of delegates enjoy the day.

A couple more from last night! My friends and colleagues, Jane Diggle in first and then Kate Manning with Stephen Lawren...
20/11/2025

A couple more from last night! My friends and colleagues, Jane Diggle in first and then Kate Manning with Stephen Lawrence in second pic.

My group of friends. We meet every year here and have a lot of fun catching up!
19/11/2025

My group of friends. We meet every year here and have a lot of fun catching up!

Met up with Su before gala dinner at PCDOS conference. Lovely to catch up Su. Wishing you all the best for your retireme...
19/11/2025

Met up with Su before gala dinner at PCDOS conference. Lovely to catch up Su. Wishing you all the best for your retirement xx

I’m at the PCDOS conference today and tomorrow. Do say hello if you see me. Partha’s session at the end today was really...
19/11/2025

I’m at the PCDOS conference today and tomorrow. Do say hello if you see me. Partha’s session at the end today was really inspirational! He’s done an amazing amount of work in the last 10years in his NHS England role.

I’d just like to add a huge thank you to Su Down for all the inspiration she has given me over the years too!
19/11/2025

I’d just like to add a huge thank you to Su Down for all the inspiration she has given me over the years too!

Not a dry eye in the house as Su Down is presented with her PCDO Society Lifetime Achievement Award. We cannot overstate the influence Su has had on so many people during her 40-year(!) diabetes career.

We can't think of a more worthy winner. Thank you Su, and congratulations!

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DiabEasy As 123 Creation and Delivery of Bespoke Diabetes Education

As a nurse with special interest, I am absolutely passionate about ensuring people with Long Term Conditions, especially Diabetes, receive high quality care.To do this I have spent years studying throughout my career, developing my personal knowledge and skills so that I am better able to apply them in clinical practice and also to provide high quality education for other healthcare professionals. Since 2007, I continue to work freelance with "Education for Health" (based in Warwick) to provide education at various levels, from workshops to Level 5 diploma and Level 6 degree level modules in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Since 2004, I continue to deliver DESMOND courses for people with Type 2 Diabetes in Sheffield, where I live, through a NICE approved Structured Education Programme (DESMOND stands for Diabetes Education and Self Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed). I never get bored of this as I love the "light bulb moments" when people suddenly realise that managing their diabetes has a lot to do with common sense and it's not rocket science! I have extensive experience of facilitating learning as I also spent 5 years travelling the length and breadth of the UK when I was a National Quality Development Trainer and Assessor of the diabetes educators that run DESMOND courses. I left that role in 2015, when I temporarily held the role of a Diabetes Specialist Nurse in Stockport, covering a maternity leave. I was so thankful I was able to try this role as it was one I had always thought I wanted, but had eluded me. Every thing happens for a reason as I soon realised I much preferred working in primary care, so at that the end of that contract, I bravely left the safety of my top Band 7 NHS role. I have absolutely no regrets and haven't looked back, as since I created my my own company "Sonia Willis Ltd" in October of 2015, I work totally freelance providing my clinical and educational services, even at the GP surgery I work at every week in Rotherham. I can honestly say I haven't been busier. "DiabEasy as 123" is an ironic concept that came to me in my sleep one night. Ironic, because although a lot about managing diabetes is common knowledge, (1) taking regular physical activity, (2) eating a balanced, healthy diet, and (3) following a treatment plan if on medication; doing all that every day for the rest of your life is actually NOT that EASY! However, the concept of 1,2, 3, applies in other ways to diabetes, such as the 3 complications that affect the small blood vessels, the 3 complications that affect the large blood vessels. The 3 factors that must be managed well in diabetes, Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol. So maybe I should have called my second business "Not as DiabEasy as 123"? I have developed a portfolio of training packages that can be adapted to suit any needs. If what I do sounds of interest to you, please feel free to get in touch on here, and if required we can arrange to speak or meet. Or check out my new website Diabeasyas123.com