HEALTH: Quarriers launches epilepsy helpline
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
The Scottish charity is hoping to bridge gaps in specialised support services for young people with the condition by launching a targeted telephone helpline that aims to reach isolated sufferers and develop their social network. The launch comes alongside National Epilepsy Awareness Week, which is running from 18-24 May.
Quarriers, which hopes to secure funding for the service later this year, will staff the Lanarkshire-based helpline with up to 12 young people with epilepsy.
Helen McDonald, an epilepsy fieldworker at Quarriers, said young epilepsy sufferers wanted independence but had to cope with overprotective parents.
"They need someone to talk to who has personal experience of what they are going through, and a helpline is a great way to reach them," said McDonald.
The charity also plans first aid training for young people and teachers in nine Lanarkshire schools, in an initiative funded by the Roald Dahl Trust and run with Lanarkshire Council.
National Epilepsy Week is run by the National Society for Epilepsy.
- www.quarriers.org.uk www.epilepsynse.org.uk
- Numbers game, p5.
