Youngsters will benefit from the new project
Blackpool youngsters with epilepsy will benefit from a new project aimed to provide emotional and social support for young people and their families.
National charity, Young Epilepsy, has chosen Blackpool to benefit from their regional Connect Project and will be hosting a project launch event at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Wednesday 20 April from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
Funded by the Big Lottery, the Connect project will support young people aged 25 and under as well as their families who are living with epilepsy.
Young Epilepsy has found that children and young people with the condition can face discrimination, social isolation and low self-esteem and Connect provides support to help them feel less lonely and more socially integrated.
The launch event at Victoria Hospital’s Women and Children’s Unit Children’s Clinic, is open to any young people or their carers who are affected by the condition. It will be a chance to meet the Connect team from Young Epilepsy, learn about the benefits of the project as well as meet other youngsters living with epilepsy in the local area.
“We are delighted Blackpool has been chosen for this project which we believe will be of great benefit to local youngsters living with the condition on the Fylde coast,” said Paediatric Epilepsy Nurse, Gill Culshaw.
Chloe Madders, Blackpool Connect Worker for Young Epilepsy, added: “We often hear from those affected by the condition that they feel isolated and simply need someone to talk to.
“Young Epilepsy’s Connect project will bring these people together and we are thrilled to be able to launch in Blackpool.
“If you are local, live with epilepsy or know someone who does, please come along to the launch and be a part of the Connect project.”
Young Epilepsy is the national charity dedicated to creating better futures for the 112,000 children and young people living with epilepsy and their families across the UK.
Date: Wednesday, April 20
Time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Venue: Children’s Clinic, Women and Chidren’s Unit, Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 8NR
For more information and to register your interest for the Connect launch event and project please email connect@youngepilepsy.org.uk
For more information on epilepsy visit www.youngepilepsy.org.uk
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
For more information, please contact
Shannon Dixon, Communications Assistant- 01342 831310 sdixon@youngepilepsy.org.uk
Josh Dibble, PR & Celebrity Manager – 01342 831310 jdibble@youngepilepsy.org.uk
About Young Epilepsy
Young Epilepsy is the national charity working exclusively on behalf of children and young people with epilepsy. With over 100 years of experience we are a leading provider of specialist health and education services. The charity offers support, information, training for health, social care and education professionals and campaigns to improve access to, and quality of, health and education services.
Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition in childhood affecting 112,000 people aged 25 and under in the UK. On average one child at every primary school and five at every secondary school will have been diagnosed with epilepsy.