range of companies, trusts, foundations and philanthropists to help fund research breakthroughs and prevent Type 2 diabetes. In 2018, Diabetes UK began a new five-year strategic partnership with long-standing partner Tesco, alongside British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK, to tackle the UK's biggest health challenges through behaviour change. Groups and Events Diabetes UK's first local voluntary group was set up in 1939. There are now 330 groups across the UK. The organization also works with the Council for People Living with Diabetes and the Council of Healthcare Professionals. Conferences The society runs conferences for people with diabetes, volunteers and healthcare professionals. Telephone support services and helpline In 1993, the organisation launched an information line for patients, family and friends. Diabetes UK helpline is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. And there is an online forum that offers support day and night from others affected by diabetes to offer support and advice. Holidays The charity has been providing holidays for children since the 1930s. Family and adult holidays have been introduced since. Publications Diabetes UK produces a range of information leaflets and booklets that help raise awareness of diabetes, and offer support and knowledge to help in prevention of Type 2 and management of all types of diabetes. These include the magazine "Balance" (formerly The Diabetic Journal), first published in 1935, changing its name to Balance in 1961, and "Diabetes Update" for professionals. Via John Wiley and Sons, Diabetes UK produces the academic journal, Diabetic Medicine. The charity has also published practice guidelines for professionals. Website Diabetes UK website links people to clear information available for anyone who needs it. This includes healthcare professionals, parents, carers, and people living with diabetes. Their Learning Zone is an area where through sign up, people can gain access to personalised support and tips in diabetes management from peers. Since 14 November 2008, the Diabetes UK site has hosted a forum. This was originally under the URL diabetessupport.co.uk. On the 13th of October 2015, the forum had a major makeover to make clear the DUK connection; this involved moving to a new URL (the DUK URL prefixed with "forum"), changing the board logo (including favicon) and colour scheme to match the main site, and upgrading to new forum software. See also Diabetes Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund American Diabetes Association References Further reading Article on Diabetes UK in The International Review of Patient