“My confidence has changed a lot and I have become a lot more independent than before. The group has helped me develop as my own person. I have had the opportunity to meet new friends and try out different activities.”
Help us continue to support people like Ryan by donating today.
How can we help?
Epilepsy can be tough on children and young people. Connecting with others who also have epilepsy can make a young person feel less alone and may help overcome isolation, low confidence and low self-esteem.
If you or your child is aged 8-24, we can provide a variety of support which can be life changing:
“The youth group means the world to me. If it was not for the youth group then I wouldn’t have somewhere where I can be myself and not worry about getting bullied. The youth group is somewhere where I feel safe and secure where I can go if I have something on my mind.”
“Epilepsy Scotland has helped me at this time because I look forward to the Zoom chats and it’s a lot of fun. We do different things each day and it’s good to talk to everyone and I always feel good after and during it. The youth workers have been very good at keeping us occupied and having fun ideas too.”
“She had lost her wee sparkle for months there and I couldn’t figure out what caused her to lose that amount of confidence but over the past few weeks, I can see it, it’s back. This group is making such a difference for her. I can see the sparkle in her again”
Youth Groups
Our youth groups are a social place for young people with epilepsy to meet others who are going through similar experiences. It is a group to make friends, have fun and support one another. We have a range of groups online which are open to any young person with epilepsy in Scotland and face to face groups which are based in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The groups do a range of activities depending on the interests of the members. Such as games, cooking, arts and crafts, trampolining, bowling and workshops about epilepsy, sleep and managing stress. The aim of the project is to increase individual’s confidence, independence and social circle.
Also, the groups go on weekend residentials where they take part in a number of fun adventure and creative activities which helps them with their independence.
Tues Evening / 12-24yrs / Virtual Youth Group for all in Scotland
Thurs Evening / 8-12yrs / Virtual Youth Group for all in Scotland
Thurs Evening / 12-24yrs / Glasgow Youth Group face to face
Fri Afternoon / 12-24yrs / Edinburgh Youth Group face to face
Other youth services
1:1 support meetings
Our Epilepsy Scotland Youth Workers can offer one to one support to a young person aged up to 24 years old and discuss how their epilepsy affects their life. The conversation is directed by the young person and will be different for every person.
This could include their epilepsy, medication, friendships, school, memory, sleep and independence. The length and frequency of meetings are dictated by the person’s need and can be done face to face, video meetings or phone calls depending on location and preference.
Happy Mail
A fun letter sent monthly to a child or young person up to the age of 16 in Scotland with epilepsy. A letter contains different themed activities to do at home along with some helpful resources for those with epilepsy.
Primary School Epilepsy Awareness Talks
Our Youth Workers deliver assembly talks and workshops to primary schools within Scotland about epilepsy. Workshops are aimed for P6 and P7 classes and can be adapted for younger year groups. Assembly talks are 15 minutes and workshops can last 1.5hrs, but both can be altered to suit the needs of you and your school.
For more information on the youth service activities and how to join, contact Kirstyn at kcameron@epilepsyscotland.org.uk or Shelby sjohnston@epilepsyscotland.org.uk.
Kirstyn runs the Edinburgh group and Shelby the Glasgow group, both can answer any queries about the virtual groups.
