Diabetic Support Group

The Diabetic Support Group meetings are at Bar Tuta, Jardines Botanico, La Cala de Mijas, 11am on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. All welcome, meetings includes free check-ups and talks.

Helpline 607 879 450

The group was founded in 2003 with much help from the local Lions in La Cala de Mijas. News was reaching us of newly diagnosed diabetics who were rarely given enough information at the local doctor’s surgery. They were often told “you are diabetic! Take these tablets!”

Although it comes as a shock to learn you have diabetes with good control you can teach diabetes to live with you. The importance of self-management has been on the education of diabetes and related issues…….e.g. foot care and risk of amputation, heart and stroke problems, eye care etc. Unfortunately an appointment to the relevant departments for specialist tests is not always offered although the diabetic is entitled to these extra examinations and language barriers can add to the difficulty of getting full advice and information.

Two Lions, Anne and Frank Bowles, formed the Diabetic Support Group with the aim of creating a forum where diabetics and their families can meet in a friendly and supportive atmosphere and chat with others living with the same issues. At the same time access to detailed advice would be available from the specialist medical professionals in attendance so as to learn and understand hoe to achieve the needed level of management and control.

In addition, through good luck  the Group organisers were introduced to a specialist in diabetes – Dr Francisco M Gomez Trujillo of the Beafranin Clinic in Fuengirola. Having studied in the USA and lectured all over the world in 2003 he was saddened by the level of expertise in diabetes care generally in Spain and was hoping to re-educate local doctors working from his newly-formed local clinic. Over the years Dr Gomez has willingly helped many of our members with emergency information and care etc and his help has been invaluable.

Now, some twenty years later, the situation is still slow to improve at the various health centres but this may be because there is so little time to offer the patient as the busy doctors have only four minutes to explain a condition which could take years to fully understand.

The Group’s support team also has other specialists who make their time and knowledge available and the Group is very grateful to all professionals who support the Group, together with:

– nurse practitioner Finola, an important member of our team

– Fay from Angels Nursing, who offers advice, blood pressure anf glucose tests at the meetings

– Mercy our retired UK nurse who also helps in many ways

As well as the information offered, our members are encouraged to talk about their condition and hopefully relate to other members suffering from similar problems. Our regular speakers offer informative talks on many subjects including dentistry, hearing loss, eye care, foot care, physiotherapy, chiropractics, emotions, nutrition and weight control, glucose monitoring, physical activity, medication, reducing risk and the latest technology and news for diabetics.

If you would like to come along to one of our meetings we hold them at Bar Tuta Jardines Botanico, La Cala de Mijas, 11am on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. 

Helpline 607 879 450

Our helpline continues to be a success in supporting diabetics and outside our normal bi-monthly meetings in La Cala, we are willing to meet anyone who is interested to learn more about diabetes , as well as those with this condition.

For more information about us scroll through our booklet below, by clicking on the pages.

Newly elected Mayor of Mijas, Ana Mata  having a bloodtest at

the World Diabetic Day sponsored walk on Sunday November 5th 2023.