National manager for local services, Helen Murray-Sharpe
Helen’s role is to manage Epilepsy Action’s local services work across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The team is made up of one full and two part-time local services officers based at New Anstey House in Leeds.
(from left to right) Joanne Baker, Jackie Kemp and Lynne Proctor.
We also have six local services managers (LSMs) based around the country, (details below) and the national coordinator for volunteers.
Dyfed Foulkes
The team develops and supports a range of community-based services for people with epilepsy, their families and carers. They work locally where people with epilepsy live. Dyfed provides advice and guidance on the best way to work with volunteers for the team as well as the whole of the organisation.
Services
The team sets up and supports a network of volunteers, branches and groups. Helping people locally to
- share experiences
- build friendships
- get information on epilepsy
- raise awareness in their area about the condition
- campaign for better services
- offer support to others.
Coffee and chat groups
Coffee and chat groups are being set up all across the country. These give people living with epilepsy the chance to meet each other in ordinary venues like cafes, tea rooms and coffee shops. They offer a relaxed way to meet new people, share experiences and get information on how to learn more about epilepsy.
Branches
Run by volunteers, most branches hold regular meetings and offer a mixture of social events and informative talks and discussions.
For many people with active epilepsy a sense of isolation and a lack of understanding can be a problem. By coming along to a branch meeting people can talk to others who understand their circumstances. They can also help raise awareness of epilepsy in the local community.
Accredited Volunteer (AV) scheme
The local services team also runs the Accredited Volunteers scheme (AVs). Volunteers are recruited and trained to deliver epilepsy awareness sessions to any organisation that would like to learn more about the condition. The AVs can offer a thorough introduction to epilepsy to a range of audiences. They also provide information about where to get further advice and support for the condition.
Events
The team organises and runs a series of events each year. These range from workshops and seminars, to roadshows and activities in sport or the arts.
They provide an opportunity for people with epilepsy, their families, carers and professionals to update themselves on the latest developments in epilepsy and meet other people with epilepsy. They are also a great way of taking part in fun activities in a safe environment.
Awareness and information
The LSMs and volunteers run a series of awareness and information days across their area. Sometimes they are run with a branch or group, often as a way of raising awareness and developing a new service in an area.
Local services managers (LSMs)
Central England manager
Julie Clark
Covers Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northampton, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire
Northern England
Cliff Challenger
Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside
County Durham, Northumberland, Teesside and Tyne and Wear
North Lincolnshire, North-East Lincolnshire and Yorkshire
London and the south east
Marie Edgar
Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, Hertfordshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex
South west England
Mark McDaid
Avon, Berkshire, Channel Islands, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Somerset and Wiltshire
Epilepsy Action Northern Ireland
Morina Clarke
Region covers the whole of Northern Ireland
Epilepsy Action Cymru
Ann Sivapatham
Region covers the whole of Wales.
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