Jobs and careers

Epilepsy Action is a national charity with a bold vision: to create a world without limits for people with epilepsy. In 2024 we launched an ambitious new strategy to grow our income and extend the support we offer. After a successful start, we are ready for the next stage in the strategy, and we are looking for new trustees to join our Board and help turn our ambition into lasting impact.

You will bring the skills, values and perspective to help our charity thrive, whether that’s a track record of leading growth and transformation, the ability to open doors through your networks, experience in health or the medical sector, or expertise in law, digital technology or fundraising.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and effective Board that reflects the communities we serve, and people affected by epilepsy. We welcome applications from everyone and are particularly keen to hear from people who are underrepresented on charity boards, including people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and people of different ages and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe greater diversity makes for better decisions.

If you want to help shape a world without limits for people affected by epilepsy, and use your voice and influence to raise understanding of the condition, then we would love to hear from you.

Purpose of the Role 

The role of a trustee is to share the Board’s collective responsibility for the effective governance and leadership of the charity, setting our strategic direction and major policies in accordance with our objectives, vision, mission and values.

Epilepsy Action (registered as the British Epilepsy Association) is both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. As such, trustees are both charity trustees and company directors and have the statutory and legal duties which these roles impose.

This is a voluntary (unpaid) role with a three-year term of office, renewable for up to two consecutive terms.

You need to be able to commit approximately 6–12 days per year, including:

• Four Board meetings per annum, plus meeting preparation

• Subcommittee meetings (if applicable)
• Strategy days, training, and occasional events

Meetings are a combination of hybrid and fully remote, with an annual in-person meeting in September in Leeds. Overnight accommodation will be booked for trustees and travelling expenses reimbursed for in–person meetings.

To find our more about the role you can download a copy of the Trustee Role Description HERE.

To Apply

For any questions in advance of your application please contact us on recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

To make an application please send your CV and a supporting statement to recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

Your supporting statement should answer the following questions:

• What has drawn you to apply to be a trustee for Epilepsy Action?
• What are the main skills and experience that you bring that could benefit the charity?
• How do you think your values align with Epilepsy Action’s values of being supportive, empowering, inclusive and ambitious?

We also ask candidates to fill in the Trustee Application Questionnaire as part of the recruitment process.  This form includes sections for diversity monitoring, as well as skills and experience.

If you need any adjustments to support you to apply or take part in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an informal meeting where they will have a chance to find out more about our work.

Formal interviews will be with the Chair, the CEO and relevant members of the Board and / or Advisory Panels will take place at the end of May and beginning of June.

Hours: Full-time (34.5 hours per week over 5 days)

Location: Hybrid working (40% working from the office in Leeds)

Salary: £26,073.23 – £29,345.65

Contract: Permanent

DBS: An enhanced check will be required

(For more information please read our Policy Statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders or our FAQs)

​

About us

At Epilepsy Action we are inclusive, ambitious, supportive, and committed to creating a world without limits for people with epilepsy.

As we achieve the goals in our 2024 – 2030 strategy we are excited to welcome you to our passionate, supportive and committed team.

We understand the importance of a work life balance, and that’s why we have a number of ways to support our people to achieve this. By operating a flexible and supportive approach, we empower people to work in a way that suits them that also meets the need of the charity.

If you are interested in building a career you can be proud of in an inclusive and ambitious organisation we might have the role for you!

About the role​

Be the first voice of support. Be the difference.

Do you love signposting ​people to enable them to access services and get the right support at the right time? ​Do you thrive in a fast‑paced environment where every conversation has the potential to help someone on their epilepsy journey with us? If so, this could be your perfect next step.

Our Information & Support Hub is at the centre of that mission to create a world without limits for people with epilepsy. As an Initial Contact Assessor, you will be the welcoming first point of contact for anyone reaching out for help, understanding, support or reassurance.

At Epilepsy Action we recognise the power of collaboration and teamwork, so our team members with hybrid contracts can expect to work a minimum of 40% at our office in Leeds. On average this is 2 days a week, normally on Mondays and Thursdays, for full-time employees. The expectation to collaborate face-to-face is driven in part by your role and the activities you need to do which may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to help us create a world without limits for people with epilepsy.

​

What you will do​

Every day is different, but your purpose stays the same: help people feel supported from the very first moment they get in touch.

You will:

• Respond to emails and webforms by providing basic epilepsy information and signposting to our range of support services.
• Answer calls to our helpline encouraging people to open up about their situation so you can assess their needs and level or urgency. Using call handling skills to keep the conversation focused and on track
• Enable people to access our range of support services by making timely referrals or signposting to external organisations for support where the primary need is not epilepsy related.
• Responding compassionately, while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Identify and responding to safeguarding concerns appropriately in line with our procedures.
• Keep accurate, confidential records, contributing to meaningful insights and real impact.
• Play a key role in promoting our services, reaching out into online communities where epilepsy is discussed to raise awareness of the support available.
• Work alongside our wider services team to help every person feel supported on their epilepsy journey with us.

This is a role where you’ll make a positive difference empowering people to access support every single day often at moments when someone needs it most.

​

About you?

We’re excited to meet people who bring energy, care, and curiosity to the role. You will thrive here if you are:

• A warm, confident communicator able to explain things clearly, calmly and sensitively.
• An excellent listener, skilled at putting people at ease and understanding what’s really going on.
• Empathetic, patient and non‑judgemental, especially when supporting people in distress.
• Experienced in customer‑facing or support roles, ideally across both phone and digital channels.
• Comfortable assessing needs, identifying risks and navigating next steps.
• Organised, focused and calm under pressure, even when juggling multiple enquiries.
• Digitally confident, with strong attention to detail and accurate record‑keeping.
• A team player, who also works well independently and takes initiative.
• Committed to safeguarding, confidentiality, and doing what’s right for each person.

Experience with long‑term conditions, disabilities or vulnerable groups is a bonus, but if you don’t yet know much about epilepsy, don’t worry. We’ll train you.

​

Why this role matters​

You’ll be the person who answers the call or reads the message when someone is anxious, confused, newly diagnosed, overwhelmed, or looking for hope.

Your voice, your empathy, and your guidance will help them access our support services so they can live well with their epilepsy.

If you’re someone who loves making a real difference from the very first “hello”, we’d love to hear from you.

​​

Click here for the job description and person specification

​​

Interested?​

If you are interested in what you have read so far you can either submit your application via our online portal or alternatively if you still have some questions before applying you can contact us for a friendly informal chat at recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

​

Being an Inclusive Organisation​

We want everyone in our community regardless of their backgrounds, identities, abilities, or circumstances, to feel valued and respected to participate fully. We know that inclusivity isn’t about numbers; it’s about embracing diversity and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard, needs are met, and contributions are acknowledged.

We recognise that each person’s experiences shape how they think and having diverse representation across the organisation is fundamental to achieving our ambitions.

Despite this we are not as diverse as we would like and we actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, this means we encourage applications from disabled people, and we are committed to interviewing disabled applicants who demonstrate through their application that they meet the essential criteria in the person specification. We want to support you to perform your best so if you require any reasonable adjustments please let us know.

​

Safer Recruitment​

Epilepsy Action will ensure that all staff and volunteers who work in roles which are legally entitled to get a DBS or Access NI (Northern Ireland) check are screened appropriate to the role.

If a DBS or Access NI check reveals a conviction for a sexual offence against a child or vulnerable adult, whenever it was committed, that individual is not suitable for that role and will not be recruited. Any other convictions will be considered on an individual basis.

For further information, please see our Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy and Safeguarding Children Policy, or contact recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

​

Closing Date:Thursday 21st May 2025 @ 12pm

Informal Chat: Arranged as applications are reviewed

Interviews: Week commencing 8th June 2026

Recruitment process: We believe that having an informal chat before the formal interview process allows us and you to have an open and honest conversation about the role, our organisation culture and what attracted you to apply. This is why as part of this process we will be inviting people to a 30 minute online chat with a member of our team before inviting shortlisted candidates to formal interview. There will be a panel interview and a written task as part of the process.​​

If you have a disability or long term health condition and feel that you would benefit from a reasonable adjustment as part of the process, please contact recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications therefore early applications are advised.

APPLY NOW

Hours: Part-time 25 hours per week

​(preferred days Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday but open to discussion)

Location: Hybrid Working (40% working from the office in Leeds)

Salary: £26,073.23 – £29,345.65 (Pro-Rata)​​

Contract: Permanent​

DBS: An enhanced check will be required

(For more information please read our Policy Statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders or our FAQs)           

​

About us

At Epilepsy Action we are inclusive, ambitious, supportive, and committed to creating a world without limits for people with epilepsy. ​

​As we achieve the goals in our 2024 – 2030 strategy we are excited to welcome you to our passionate, supportive and committed team.

We understand the importance of a work life balance, and that’s why we have a number of ways to support our people to achieve this. By operating a flexible and supportive approach, we empower people to work in a way that suits them that also meets the need of the charity.

If you are interested in building a career you can be proud of in an inclusive and ambitious organisation we might have the role for you!

​​

About the role​​

Are you passionate about providing quality support and ensuring that everyone has a positive experience? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your organisational skills and attention to detail make a real impact? Epilepsy Action is looking for a dedicated Services Admin Coordinator to join our team!

As a Services Admin Coordinator, you will be the backbone of our services team, ensuring smooth operations, coordinating key activities, and supporting our mission to improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy.

At Epilepsy Action we recognise the power of collaboration and teamwork, so our team members with hybrid contracts can expect to work a minimum of 40% at our office in Leeds. On average this is 2 days a week, normally on Mondays and Thursdays, for full-time employees. The expectation to collaborate face-to-face is driven in part by your role and the activities you need to do which may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to help us create a world without limits for people with epilepsy.

​

What you will do

Every day is different, but your purpose stays the same: helping our services to run smoothly.

You will:

• Work closely with services teams to create listings for virtual events to enable people to learn more about epilepsy
• Create and amend webpages for our services
• Arrange service users appointments, rescheduling appointments as necessary in line with our service guidelines.
• Respond to enquiries via telephone and digital channels ensuring they are logged on our CRM.
• Utilise process mapping and IT skills to identify efficiencies across services.
• Support the gathering of service user feedback for evaluation purposes.
• Support with the marketing of services.
• Maintain our presence in national and regional directories.

This is a role where you’ll make a positive difference behind the scenes, utilising your organisational skills and initiative to streamline processes.

​

About you?​

We are looking for someone who is:

• Organised and able to effectively prioritise across multiple tasks
• Supportive with the ability to listen to the needs of the service delivery teams and provide solutions to ensure services are delivered effectively
• Proactive, identifying opportunities to streamline processes
• A good communicator and team player but also able to work independently
• Skilled with IT and quick to pick up new software
• Committed to delivering excellent a service for internal and external stakeholders

​

Click here for the job description and person specification

​​

Interested?​

If you are interested in what you have read so far you can either submit your application via our online portal or alternatively if you still have some questions before applying you can contact us for a friendly informal chat at recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

​

Being an Inclusive Organisation​

We want everyone in our community regardless of their backgrounds, identities, abilities, or circumstances, to feel valued and respected to participate fully. We know that inclusivity isn’t about numbers; it’s about embracing diversity and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard, needs are met, and contributions are acknowledged.

We recognise that each person’s experiences shape how they think and having diverse representation across the organisation is fundamental to achieving our ambitions.

Despite this we are not as diverse as we would like and we actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, this means we encourage applications from disabled people, and we are committed to interviewing disabled applicants who demonstrate through their application that they meet the essential criteria in the person specification. We want to support you to perform your best so if you require any reasonable adjustments please let us know.

​

Safer Recruitment​

Epilepsy Action will ensure that all staff and volunteers who work in roles which are legally entitled to get a DBS or Access NI (Northern Ireland) check are screened appropriate to the role.

If a DBS or Access NI check reveals a conviction for a sexual offence against a child or vulnerable adult, whenever it was committed, that individual is not suitable for that role and will not be recruited. Any other convictions will be considered on an individual basis.

For further information, please see our Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy and Safeguarding Children Policy, or contact recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

​

Closing Date: Thursday 21st May 2026 @ 12pm

Informal Chat: Arranged as applications are reviewed

Interviews: Week commencing 8th June 2026

Recruitment process: We believe that having an informal chat before the formal interview process allows us and you to have an open and honest conversation about the role, our organisation culture and what attracted you to apply. This is why as part of this process we will be inviting people to a 30 minute online chat with a member of our team before inviting shortlisted candidates to formal interview.​

If you have a disability or long term health condition and feel that you would benefit from a reasonable adjustment as part of the process, please contact recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications therefore early applications are advised.

APPLY NOW

To create a world without limits we know that it is important that we are inclusive in who we are and who we support.

As such we are committed to working with people from all backgrounds and communities ensuring everyone feels valued and respected to participate and engage in our work, and by doing this we will ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, needs are met, and contributions acknowledged.

Each person’s experiences shape how they think and having diverse representation at all levels and in all areas of our work is fundamental to achieving our ambitions.

We know our culture is key to ensuring we can achieve our diversity and inclusion goals and our team of Inclusion Champions provide support, guidance, and insight into making this happen.

Epilepsy Action is a Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from disabled people. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria in the person specification.

We are committed to a healthy happy engaged team and according to our 2024 staff survey, 89% of people said the organisation takes a positive approach to health and wellbeing.

We also demonstrate our commitment through subscriptions to the Mindful Employer Network and also pledged our commitment to the Mental Health at Work Campaign.

In addition to a manageable working week we also place emphasis on employee wellbeing through:

• Monthly wellbeing walks
• Wellbeing resources
• Mental Health First-aiders
• Employee Assistance Programme (inc wellbeing and counselling offer)
• Ensuring people feel a sense of belonging
• Relaxed and comfortable dress code
• Culture of recognition and valuing people
• Ongoing employee engagement and feedback

We strive to ensure that people are able to be the best versions of themselves through a culture of ongoing learning, development and reflection.

Not only do we offer a range of internal learning opportunities through online platforms, peer support and development programmes, but we also offer external opportunities through apprenticeships, qualifications and coaching.

We are a member of the Charity Learning Consortium and the Charity Mentoring Network, that all of our team have access to.

All our people will have a personal development plan that will be reviewed regularly.

We are still working on this commitment, and 71% of people said that learning and training opportunities are very good or excellent.

All applications are made online via our applications portal.

For most of our vacancies we will ask you to upload a copy of your CV and you will be required to answer supporting questions.

It is important that you do this thoroughly and answer questions in relation to the job description and person specification as supplied in the advertisement, as this will be a determining factor in the shortlisting process. Your CV and supporting questions should reflect well in terms of experience and skills.

All applications are completed online via our portal. There will always be a link to these in each vacancy advert.

If you have any disabilities which you would require us to make reasonable adjustments in order for you to apply for a role, please let us know.

If you are shortlisted you will be invited to the next stage in the recruitment process via email, so please keep checking your junk mail.

We accept all applications from individuals who have the right to work in the UK without restrictions.

We currently do not hold a sponsor license and therefore cannot accept applications from individuals who do not have the right to work in the UK.

Some of our roles do have a specific location from which they need to be performed so please read the advert carefully before you apply.

If you are unsure or have any questions about a role please contact us at recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

We want to ensure each candidate has the best opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge and how they will complete the role, so we use a range of interview and assessment techniques.

We will also provide support and an inclusive process to encourage candidates to do their best.

Some of the ways we might assess you include a panel interview, presentations and ability tests, sharing previous work/portfolios, or personality and integrity assessments.

To allow you the chance to prepare and be the best version of you at interview, we may send the interview questions or themes in advance.

Depending on the role location will be the key factor in deciding how the interview will take place.

It is preferable for hybrid working roles to be interviewed face to face as this will give our candidates the opportunity to gain a feel for our office environment. However, if you are invited to an interview in person but would prefer a virtual process, please do let us know and we can assess reasonable adjustments on a case by case basis.

We also offer an inclusive approach to interviewing, so if you have any disabilities which you would require us to make other reasonable adjustments in order for you to attend an interview, please let us know.

If your interview is to take place virtually, please ensure you have access to and are able to use Microsoft TEAMS.

We encourage you to dress smart/casual for the interview, even if it is taking place virtually.

Our office where we complete the majority of interviews is in Yeadon which is a suburb in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

We have free on-site parking available, as well as public transport links from the city centre.

If you have an issue with the system please email recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

If you have any questions about one of our vacancies please email recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

We have a number of volunteer vacancies so please check out our volunteering page for more details.

The main updates will be sent to you via email so please ensure you check your junk inbox. We may also contact you by telephone.

Please refer to our privacy statement for more details.

All roles are different. For any role that requires a criminal conviction check (DBS/Access NI) this would be highlighted in the vacancy information.

Please find a copy of our policy statement on recruitment of ex-offenders

Download frequently asked questions on DBS

For a copy of our DBS policy or if you have any other questions please email recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

Epilepsy Action are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults, and will ensure that all staff and volunteers who work in roles which are legally entitled to get a DBS or Access NI (Northern Ireland) check are screened appropriate to the role. Any individuals who may pose a risk will be rejected. Please find a copy of our policy statement on recruitment of ex-offenders

Our recruitment and selection procedures are carried out in line with current safeguarding legislation and best practice guidance, ensuring every member of our team upholds our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment.

For further information, please see our Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy and Safeguarding Children Policy, or contact recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk

We encourage applications from all candidates and will support people to present their skills and knowledge to us in the best way possible.

We are able to make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities so if you have any questions about the application process just let us know so that we can discuss how best to facilitate your application.

When applying for a job with us, if an applicant has a disability covered by the definition outlined within the Equality Act 2010 and can show that they meet the ‘essential criteria’ described in the person specification, they are guaranteed a priority interview for the job for which they are applying, through our Disability Confident scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme). This decision is based on our scoring criteria when shortlisting.

Under the Equality Act 2010, a disabled person is someone who has – or has had in the past – a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

As an inclusive and disability confident employer, we actively encourage applications from people who consider themselves to have a disability falling within that broad definition.

The Disability Confident scheme only guarantees progression to to the next stage of selection (e.g interview or other task) in line with the criteria set – it does not automatically mean that applicants interviewed will gain employment as this will be based on scoring during the full selection process. We will feedback on the results of the interview will to each candidate if requested.

In order to opt-in to this scheme, you need to complete the relevant criteria during the application process.

If you have any questions regarding this, our recruitment can be contacted through recruitment@epilepsy.org.uk