Marie Edgar has been appointed regional services manager in south east England for Epilepsy Action, the UK’s largest member-led epilepsy charity.
Based in Hornchurch, Havering, Marie will be responsible for developing and managing community-based services for people with epilepsy and their families. She will be working closely with a network of south east Epilepsy Action branches as part of her work in the area.
Marie will also be organising regional conferences, seminars, information and awareness events. These will be aimed at supporting people affected by epilepsy and informing those with an interest in the condition.
Before joining Epilepsy Action, Marie worked with the NHS in Liverpool as an office manager. Before this, her roles have included: director of the Centre for Volunteering in Havering; small groups advisor with the Council for Voluntary Service in Havering; and secretary for the Learning from Experience Trust, a national charity based at Goldsmiths College in London. A keen supporter of Epilepsy Action, Marie has also volunteered with the charity's East London branch for over 15 years.
Marie said: “I'm really looking forward to working with the volunteers. They are vital to delivering Epilepsy Action's services and supporting people with epilepsy in the south east region.
"On being diagnosed with epilepsy, I really appreciated Epilepsy Action's help, advice and continuing support, when I would otherwise have felt overwhelmed. I've enjoyed my time volunteering with the East London Branch. I now relish the opportunity to be involved with several branches to help develop their good work even further."
Epilepsy is a common serious neurological condition affecting around 456,000 people in the UK. Last year alone, Epilepsy Action directly helped more than 686,500 people through a range of services, including its advice and information centre and Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050. For further information about the work of Epilepsy Action, please visit www.epilepsy.org.uk