Epilepsy Action, the UK’s largest member-led epilepsy organisation, is visiting the south-west in a double-decker information bus as part of its six-day travelling roadshow.
The bus will stop at St Mary’s Street in Weymouth on 22 August from 10.00am until 4.00pm. The aim of the roadshow is to provide free family entertainment while teaching people everything they ever wanted to know about epilepsy. It will then visit Bournemouth (23 August), Winchester (24 August), Salisbury (25 August), Poole (26 August) and Southampton (27 August).
While parents have a free coffee with their local Epilepsy Action branch members, children can get involved with face-painting, decorating gingerbread men, a bouncy castle, and giant games. These activities will run between 11.00am until 3.00pm. There is an African drumming workshop for adults and children between 12.00 noon and 2.00pm in all areas except Weymouth. All activities are free.
Visitors will get the chance to meet nurses and health professionals from the local area. There will also be an opportunity to record experiences of living with epilepsy in the local area. The collection of stories will be presented to health executives and health professionals to show them what it is really like to have epilepsy. This project is part of Epilepsy Action’s national campaign to improve local epilepsy services.
Mark McDaid, Epilepsy Action’s local services manager for the south-west, said: “This is a great opportunity to find out more about epilepsy in a friendly and informal environment. Epilepsy is the most serious neurological condition in the UK. Information is the key to living successfully with it, but with activities for all the family, it will be a great day out too! Come and join us to find out more.”
Anyone who requires further information, should contact Mark McDaid, on 01291 621 478 (mobile: 07841 416 966), or at mmcdaid@epilepsy.org.uk
Epilepsy Action would like to thank the Winchester Fund, South Winchester Golf Club, and Salisbury Council for funding the roadshow events.
Epilepsy Action has an extensive network of branches throughout the UK. They include the following branches in the south west:
- Bournemouth and Poole Branch
- Dorchester and Weymouth Branch
- Salisbury Branch
- Southampton Branch
- Winchester Branch
For further information about the work of Epilepsy Action, please visit www.epilepsy.org.uk or call the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050.