We are celebrating our 65th anniversary next month and our Chief Executive, Lesslie Young looks at 65 years of Epilepsy Scotland.
On 1 November Epilepsy Scotland will be 65 and we will be celebrating!
Much has been achieved in those 65 years and Epilepsy Scotland finds itself in a positive place.
Over the last two decades, the organisation has gone from strength to strength. We have seen the introduction of our freephone Helpline service. This has helped thousands of people living with epilepsy across the length and breadth of the country.
We have two new services. Our Welfare Rights Service which helps people across Scotland complete Personal Independence Payment and other benefit applications. This quality service has supported and won numerous appeals for people living with epilepsy.
The Wellbeing Service, now well established, helps people who feel anxious, stressed or isolated because of their epilepsy. Of course, our Youth Groups in Edinburgh and Glasgow also offer a much-needed break for parents, carers and families.
Also, most recently we have expanded our Helpline and Information service by launching a new weekly information service in Ayrshire based at the Baird Centre, within Hansel Village.
Having a base in Ayrshire, as well as our offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh helps us to continue to provide vital information, support and guidance across the country.
Isle of Lewis
A few weeks ago, we held four information events on the Isle of Lewis. This provided people in the local area the chance to talk to someone about epilepsy. Also, the opportunity to receive free information about the condition.
We also provided school talks at primary schools on the Island to help educate children and help them learn more about epilepsy.
This further underlines our commitment to support the 55,000 people who are living with epilepsy in Scotland.
As we celebrate our 65th anniversary and highlight some of the achievements and successes. We also acknowledge there remains much to do, so we will not rest on our laurels.
This is a very special year for us. We are looking forward; planning for the future. We have exciting plans for next year and beyond.
These plans will allow us to continue to support, represent and make a positive difference to the lives of the 55,000 people who are living with epilepsy across Scotland.
A lot has changed since Epilepsy Scotland was established in 1954 but one thing remains the same. We are committed to fighting the stigma and discrimination attached to epilepsy and providing people living with epilepsy with quality information, services and support.
#Challenge65
To celebrate 65 years of Epilepsy Scotland, we are looking for people to join our 65 for 65 dream team.
We are looking for 65 people to pledge to raise £65 to support our work.
You can run, walk, swim or cycle 65K, raise £65 at a bake sale, volunteer for 65 hours over a year, sign up 13 people to complete a 5K run or even donate 65p a day for 65 days.
£65 can go a long way. It can fund 13 short calls to our Helpline. It can also provide over 487 people living with epilepsy with an ‘I have epilepsy’ card for use in emergencies.
Also, it can pay for an hour with our Welfare Rights Service to help someone access the financial support they may be entitled to.
If you would like to get involved and help us celebrate our 65th anniversary in style, please email our fundraising team at fundraising@epilepsyscotland.org.uk or call 0141 427 4911.
