Support groups

Support Groups

Support Groups can provide valuable help and support to people living with epilepsy and their families. Most local support groups are independent groups run by individuals. They usually offer a range of activities, from an informal chat over a cup of coffee to more organised social activities.

We get many calls from people across Scotland looking for local support groups. If you have set up a support group, please let us know as we can help you promote your group. You can download copies of our information guides for group members and we may be able to come along to do an informal awareness talk.

If you are thinking of setting up a group, we can help you with this. Our contact team can talk to you and give further information which will help to set up and run a successful support group. If you have any questions about existing support groups or need some help with a new group, please email us at enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk or phone 0141 427 2911.

To date we are aware of the following support groups above. We will update this information on a regular basis.

Ayrshire and Arran

There are support groups in the North, East and South Ayrshire. These support groups are open to all ages and meet usually in the evening from 6pm-8pm every 8 weeks. They are held in various hospitals across Ayrshire. North meet at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine, East meet at East Ayrshire Community Hospital in Cumnock, and South meet at Ayr Hospital in Ayr.

For more information call Eileen McCubbin, the local epilepsy specialist nurse, on 01294 323 362.

Dumfries and Galloway

There are currently no support groups in this area. Please telephone us on 0141 427 4911 or email enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk if you wish to be contacted if a support group starts in your area, or if you are interested in starting a group yourself

Fife

Fife Epilepsy Support Services is a new group trying to help and support anyone affected by epilepsy and their families. The group meets in and around the Dunfermline area. Contact Loreen Smith on 07527 852 528 to find out more about how you can get involved.

Kirkcaldy - A new support group meets in Kirkcaldy on the last Saturday of each month 10am – 12pm at the Staff Club, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. Anyone from Fife is welcome to attend the meetings at Kirkcaldy. If you cannot make it to Kirkcaldy, contact Gaye Kelly, epilepsy fieldworker on 01592 655 005 or email gaye.kelly@quarriers.org.uk

Forth Valley

Epilepsy Connections offer support groups in various locations in the Forth Valley area covering Stirling, Falkirk, Alloa and Calander.

For more details, please contact their epilepsy fieldworker, Barbara Buddie, on 01324 692 030 or email info@epilpesyconnections.org.uk

Grampian

Quarriers’ epilepsy fieldworkers hold various support groups in the Grampian area. They generally meet once a month.

Aberdeen–Aberdeen City Epilepsy Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 2pm at the Salvation Army Citadel. Contact: Kris Broomfield 01224 566 385

Banff-North East Epilepsy Support Group. Meet on the last Tuesday of each month at Harvest Centre, Castle Street, Banff at 6.30 pm. Contact: Gary McGregor 01261 843 823

Buckie-Buckie Epilepsy Support Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6.30 - 8pm at the Riverside Christian Church, 24 East Church Street, Buckie Contact: Tara Engelmann 01309 675 900

ElginMoray Epilepsy Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month. From 7.30 – 9pm at the Moray Resource Centre, Elgin. They do not meet in July and August Contact: James Wilson 07720 303 932

Peterhead- Buchan Epilepsy Social and Support Group meet on the first Wednesday of each month 2-4 pm at the Rescue Hall, Prince Street, Peterhead. Contact: Caroline Jones 01779 482 463

Ellon – Epilepsy support group meets 7 – 9 pm on the last Monday of each month at the Kirk Centre, Station Road, Ellon. AB41 9AE Contact: Helen Simpson 01358 721 234

Greater Glasgow & Clyde

If you are looking for a support group in the Glasgow area, contact Epilepsy Connectionshttp://www.epilepsyconnections.org.uk/. Please phone 0141 248 4125 or email info@epilepsyconnections.org.uk for more information.

There is also a newly established support group based in Alexandria, Dumbartonshire. The group is looking for new members to attend and develop the group. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at 10am in the Alexandria Community Centre, Alexandria. All are welcome.

For more information, please contact Tracy Shaw on 01369 606583.

If you are interested in attending a support group in the Inverclyde area, please contact Isobel Kerr on 01475 728 628 who is currently gauging interest in such a group.

Highland

Inverness group no longer in operation. There is an Epilepsy specialist nurse who may be able to offer help and is based in Inverness. Please contact June Blake for more information on 01463 241156.

Lanarkshire

Lanarkshire Epilepsy Services are setting up a social support group for individuals, families, friends and carers. For more information please call Helen MacDonald on 07879 363846 or email helenmacd.les@talktalk.net.

Lothian

Our Edinburgh office, based at Orchard Brae House, Queensferry Road, Edinburgh, runs a support group for adults, as well as a parents support group and youth groups. For more information on these, please contact Michael Adair on 0131 226 5458 or email madair@epilepsyscotland.org.uk

Epilepsy West Lothian offer support groups to adults, youths and parents. They regularly meet in Livingston and Bathgate. For more information on any of these groups, please contact Gina Freeman on 01506 464 446 or gina@epilepsywestlothian.co.uk.

Shetland

There is currently a support group running in Shetland for young people and adults. Please contact Robert Scougal 07717 287 104 or Karen Ridland 07900 800 992 for more information.

Borders

There are currently no support groups in this area. Please telephone us on 0141 427 4911 or email enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk if you wish to be contacted if a support group starts in your area, or if you are interested in starting a group yourself.

Orkney

There are currently no support groups in this area. Please telephone us on 0141 427 4911 or email enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk if you wish to be contacted if a support group starts in your area, or if you are interested in starting a group yourself.

Tayside

There are currently no support groups in this area. Please telephone us on 0141 427 4911 or email enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk if you wish to be contacted if a support group starts in your area, or if you are interested in starting a group yourself.

Western Isles

There are currently no support groups in this area. Please telephone us on 0141 427 4911 or email enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk if you wish to be contacted if a support group starts in your area, or if you are interested in starting a group yourself.