The Will To Help

In 1950 a group of friends came together to form the British Epilepsy Association in an attempt to challenge the negative attitudes towards epilepsy and help improve life for people with the condition.

Over 50 years later we are still continuing that work under the banner of Epilepsy Action and, although we have seen some tremendous progress over the last 50 years, there is still a lot to do. However what we do know is that the vital support, advice and information we provide to people whose lives are affected by epilepsy does work.

Here are just a few of the facts:

• Over 25,000 people use the Freephone Helpline every year.
• 114,000 people visit the advice and information pages of our website.
• 35,000 people log on to www.epilepsy.org.uk every month.
• We have placed well over 50 Sapphire Nurses who will see, on average, 2,000 patients EVERY year.
• There are now 70 accredited volunteers, educating the public about epilepsy and providing one-to-one support.
• 100 community-based branches provide peer group support, raising awareness and vital funds.
• Our ground-breaking online community, forum4e, has around 2,000 members.
• Hundreds of people take part in our events each year, raising vital funds for Epilepsy Action

The work of Epilepsy Action really does make a difference to people’s lives. If we have the will to help, then we can and we do. However it costs money to make that difference. Which is why remembering Epilepsy Action in your Will can ensure the will to help has the resources to turn will into action.

“Contact with everyone at [Epilepsy Action] is like having a well of information at your finger tips. Anything you want to know can be answered by someone who has knowledge or had experience. It gives me the strength to live my life without bitterness”
  - Member of the BEA-Connect online community