Advocacy
Manisha is passionate about using her voice to champion Type 1 Diabetes awareness, partnering with leading organisations to drive real change.
Breakthrough T1D 
Working with the UK's leading Type 1 Diabetes research charity, I have been involved in campaigns, magazine features, and awareness events to champion research and funding.
T1D Champion Award 2025
I was absolutely not expecting this recognition, and when my name was called I genuinely gasped and said 'what really!!' (really loudly!). Thank you to Breakthrough T1D for all they do, lets find a cure.
T1D Champion Award, Discovery Day London 2025
World Diabetes Day 2025
World Diabetes Day 2025
World Diabetes Day 2025
What a privilege it was to be included in Breakthrough T1D's World Diabetes Day video. Being part of this annual awareness moment means so much, and I hope it reaches and inspires others living with T1D.
Pregnancy
During my early 30s I had accepted that becoming a mother with T1D would be really difficult.
In fact, at points I thought I may not be able to become a mother, given I wasn't able to keep my glucose levels stable for a week let alone nine months.
But with the advancements in T1D technology, and especially the HCL, having a healthy pregnancy was definitely possible. I shared my experience with the community via the Breakthrough T1D Discovery magazine, and also as an online article.
Pregnant with type 1 diabetes: My journey and top tips (2025)
The technology that's given me peace of mind (2025)
Discovery Magazine Issue 101: Pregnancy case study
Pregnancy Awareness 2025
Brand Photoshoot
I was delighted to be asked to be part of the photoshoot to rebrand JDRF to Breakthrough T1D. You'll catch me across the Breakthrough T1D website, social channels, and in print, which makes me super proud.
Teaching with T1D: 2024
Having been told that teaching wouldn't be for me, that T1D would be a burden, I was delighted to be able to share my story of being a secondary school teacher in this video case study for Breakthrough T1D. I really want the community to see that you can be whatever you want to be.
Teaching with T1D
Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes
NHS England 
What a privilege it was to share my experience of using the Hybrid closed loop (HCL) systems with the National Health Service England.
NHS: Hybrid Closed Loop campaign
Behind the scenes
mylife Diabetes Care 
I was given the mylife YpsoPump insulin pump in February 2025 during my second trimester of pregnancy. I was already on a HCL, but had never had a wired pump before. With onboarding training at Queen Mary's hospital, London I found was really easy to transfer to a wired pump.
It's super easy to use, and has been a life saver as I could wear it during labour and didn't need to go on the sliding scale.
Christmas Film 2025
User Spotlight 2026, Mother's Day
Omnipod 
Omnipod was the first pump I went on in 2019, and I've used a range of versions from the Eros, Dash and Omnipod 5. It's great to see how the technology has evolved over time, getting smarter and more compatible with a range of sensors.
Omnipod Instagram
Dexcom Warriors 
I love representing the Dexcom community, and I'm always on the look out for a Dexcom when I'm out and about. Especially when I am on holiday - it's a great conversation starter!
The best place I've ever meet another Dexcom user is at the iconic the blue domes of Santorini in Greece.
A Day in the Life of a Dexcom Warrior
Press
Sky News 
When NICE published new guidance on hybrid closed loop systems for pregnancy, I was delighted to not only be featured in the press release, but also be invited on to the Sky News breakfast show to share my story of using HCL technology whilst pregnant.
Sky News Breakfast: Hybrid Closed Loop in Pregnancy
NICE 
As part of the updated NICE guidelines around pregnancy-specific HCL systems being offered to all women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, I was delighted to be featured and quoted in the press release.
NICE issues new guidance on artificial pancreas technology for pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes
BBC Radio 1 
Talking about the Diabetes Squad community in-school program with two students for BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat programme.
BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat: Diabetes Squad
The Sun 
I was asked to comment on the insulin shortage in the UK for The Sun. It was a stressful time, with my husband calling dozens of pharmacies across North West London to ask if they had vials of insulin. Honestly, it was ridiculous, and even the big pharmacies had nothing.
I ended up changing the insulin I was taking from Humalog to NovoRapid.
DRUG ALERT: Alarm over shortage of life-saving insulin
In School Programme
St George's Catholic School 
External recognition of the in school program I started was a real pinch me moment.
Diabetes Squad started with community in mind, so I started with the growing community of T1D children in my own school where I teach.
We have six meetings a year where the children are off timetable for 2 hours, we have a workshop where we share information in a positive and empowering way.
Within school I make sure I have hypo treatments in my office, and an open door policy for children and staff to get info about T1D or share concerns.
As well as the day to day, I regularly advise staff and management on school trips, and I will always try to help parents navigate the care of their T1D children, especially when dealing with a new diagnosis.
“The pastoral support of pupils is excellent, for example, the support for pupils with diabetes is outstanding.”
Catholic school inspectorate (section 48)
Diabetes Squad in school event with Reece Parkinson
Fellow T1D advocate Reece Parkinson visited one of our Diabetes Squad workshops, spending the day with our community sharing his experiences, worries, and of course choice of hypo treatment.
The children found it both rewarding and inspiring to have Reece share his experience. Not only is he in the public eye as a BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ, but as someone who has run an Ultra Marathon whilst managing T1D he showed them you can do anything, despite the diagnosis. It was rewarding and a joy to have Reece in!
Broadcaster and communications specialist Reece Parkinson was diagnosed with type 1 when he was 26. Since then, he's used his platform to inspire others.