Connections - Epilepsy Connections
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JUNE 2021 ISSUE 73
Connections
The official newsletter of Epilepsy Connections
We hope you’re enjoying the summer weather and
taking advantage of new freedoms as lockdown
restrictions lift. We’re delighted to report that at last
we’re able to offer some in-person support.
Our allotment opened for the season in April, and
we’ve hosted support group meetings in Ayrshire &
Arran and Forth Valley, with Friends Connected
meetings starting in Glasgow in July. You can find
dates for summer events in your area on pages 2
and 3. We’re particularly keen to hear from families
affected by childhood epilepsy - there’s a special
message for you inside. In some circumstances
we will be able to offer in-person appointments
too, and our fieldworkers will be back in clinics
as these start to open. Two members of our Ayrshire & Arran group
enjoying a relaxing walk to Irvine Harbour.
We’re keeping our digital supports running and, of course, we’re always available by phone, so be
assured that we’re here for you. Stay safe and well and have a great summer!
Thank you for sharing your views!
Thanks to everyone who took the time to complete our annual satisfaction survey. The results are
in, and we can report that 83% of respondents rated our service as “Excellent” with the remaining
17% rating us as “Good”. 100% of respondents said that if they knew someone who’d been
diagnosed with epilepsy they would recommend contacting Epilepsy Connections for support.
"I got so much help and understanding from Epilepsy
Connections and would like anyone suffering silently
to get the help to. I wouldn't hesitate and have
[recommended them] in the past.
"Being aware of Epilepsy Connections and what [they
offer] would help people realise they are not alone."
We’re particularly grateful for comments about how we can improve our services. If you’d like to
get more involved in this area of work, please consider applying for membership of our People’s
Forum. Contact info@epilepsyconnections.org.uk for more information. Thanks to everyone
who took the time to respond to the survey and congratulations to Constance Gracie who won
the prize draw.
Epilepsy Connections is a company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland No. 212813. Registered Office: Suites 129-134
Baltic Chambers, 50 Wellington Street, Glasgow G2 6HJ. Recognised as a Scottish Charity No. SC030677.
PAGE 2
An update on our Childrens' Activities
Colleen Wilson, our Education & Outreach Worker who organises the Childrens' Activities, has a
special message for families affected by childhood epilepsy:
Are you ready to get back out there and have some fun? We certainly are! It's agreed that it's
been way too long since we got together for fun activities. As restrictions ease for Glasgow and
surrounding areas, Epilepsy Connections' staff and volunteers are getting plans in place for the
summer and beyond. So, whether you've come along in the past, or you're new to us, we want to
hear from you with your ideas and suggestions on what you'd like to do.
Our programme is for young people with epilepsy, their siblings and their
parents/carers. In the past, we provided opportunities to take part in
tobogganing, tubing, indoor climbing, arts and crafts, 10-pin bowling, Children's
Classic Concerts, Tron and King's Theatre Pantomimes, cycling/trikes at
Glasgow Green, museum trips, safari park and children's entertainer/magician
show. We want you to be confident that, as an organisation, we provide these
activities in a COVID-secure way and with the appropriate support from our
staff and volunteers. And, as before, that these activities are provided free of
charge due to our amazing donors such as the Webb family.
And, as a wee teaser... we have hopes to get back to Ardentinny later in the year. It is dependent
on getting the green light for overnight residential trips and other COVID-19 factors, but we are
already having the conversations with the marvellous team at Ardentinny Outdoor Education Centre
and funders to make this happen. With memories of the beautiful Argyll scenery, climbing, abseiling,
sailing and canoeing on the sea loch, beach and forest walks, gorge walking, great food and most of
all, great company! - we are excited by the possibility that we can get together in such a special
place. I'm already practicing a socially-distant version of the Macarena for the Saturday family night,
and lifting my personal ban on public displays of the Slosh. Watch this space!
Get in touch on 0141 248 4125 / info@epilepsyconnections.org.uk or contact Colleen directly on
07762 148 164 / cwilson@epilepsyconnections.org.uk (Tues/Wed/Thurs)
Friends Connected is returning!
Friends Connected is starting back up in July with
an outdoor activity: a Reconnect Walk around
Glasgow Green.
When?
Friday 2 July, 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Where?
Meet at the fountain in front of the People's Palace
(Doulton Fountain).
Thinking about coming along? Please confirm
your attendance by calling us on 0141 248 4125. The Doulton Fountain - Meeting place for the Reconnect
Walk around Glasgow Green.
PAGE 3
Upcoming Online Events
Our Annual General Meeting
You are invited to join us at our virtual review of the
year on Wednesday 18 August, 10.30am via Zoom.
We are currently putting our heads together to make
this as easily accessible and interactive as possible.
Online Memory Workshop
Join us on Zoom for an online memory workshop that provides general information on how memory
works, specific memory issues relating to people with epilepsy, and useful strategies to manage
poor memory. The next session will be on Tuesday 3 August (10.30am-12pm).
Interested? To sign up for either online event, please contact us on 0141 248 4125 or e-mail
info@epilepsyconnections.org.uk
Upcoming in Person Events in Forth Valley
Events in Falkirk Events in Stirling
28 July Info & Support Group (10am - 12pm) - 4 Aug. Info & Support Group (10am) -
Falkirk Hub Stirling Community Hospital
(TBC)
25 Aug. Info & Support Group (10am - 12pm) -
Falkirk Hub 15 Sept. Info & Support Group (10am) -
Stirling Community Hospital
8 Sept. Info & Support Group (10am - 12pm) -
Falkirk Hub
The Forth Valley Info & Support groups
Events in Clackmannanshire have officially returned and it's great to see
some familiar faces and allow people to
21 July Info & Support Group (10am - 12pm) - rebuild networks of peer support.
Sauchie Health Centre
18 Aug. Info & Support Group (10am - 12pm) - Due to restrictions and social distancing,
Sauchie Health Centre places must be booked in advance.
Please contact Ewan Roy or Gill Wilson
22 Sept. Info & Support Group (10am - 12pm) - on 01324 673 750 for further info.
Sauchie Health Centre
Upcoming in Person Events in Ayrshire & Arran
We now have Walking Groups and indoor
29 June Walking Group (11.30am - 2pm) -
Fullerton Connexions meetings scheduled in Ayrshire & Arran.
27 July Walking Group (11.30am - 2pm) - Due to restrictions and social distancing,
Fullerton Connexions places must be booked in advance.
3 Aug. Info & Support Group (5.30pm - 7pm) - Please contact Heather Davies on
Fullerton Connexions 07585 570 466 for further info.
PAGE 4
A message from the People’s Forum
In the March newsletter we shared a list of 6 “asks” that the People’s Forum drew up in consultation
with people who use Epilepsy Connections’ services. Our “asks” include common issues that need
to be solved to make life better for people with epilepsy and their families. We’ve backed up our
asks with evidence of how these issues affect people, and included everything in a document called
“Our Message to Elected Representatives”.
People’s Forum members will use this document as a basis for conversations about epilepsy with
their Councillors, MSPs and MPs. They have the power to influence change, but they can’t do that
unless they know about the challenges people with epilepsy face.
Want to get involved? Take your copy of the document – enclosed with this newsletter – with you
when you meet your Councillor, MSP or MP. You can find out who your elected representatives are
online, at your library, or call us.
An update from our staff team
In March we bid farewell to Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Fieldworker Rhona Figures, who retired early to spend
more time with her family. We’re grateful for Rhona’s years
of service and wish her well.
In June we welcomed Yulia Kachurova to the team. Yulia
is currently completing her induction before taking on
Rhona’s caseload and accepting new referrals.
Admin Assistant Anna de Vries heads home to Germany
Greater Glasgow & Clyde Fieldworker
in July to continue her studies. Having joined us shortly Yulia Kachurova.
before head office moved to Baltic Chambers in 2019,
Anna hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped since!
We’ll miss Anna very much and wish her all the very best
in her new life.
Office closures
We will be closed for holidays on
the dates below: Glasgow: 0141 248 4125
Monday 19 July Forth Valley: 01324 673750
Ayrshire & Arran: 07585 570 466
Friday 24 September
Monday 27 September info@epilepsyconnections.org.uk
www.epilepsyconnections.org.uk
Follow us on Facebook, Main office:
Twitter and Instagram for Suites 129-134 Baltic Chambers
50 Wellington Street
the latest updates.
Glasgow G2 6HJ
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