Epilepsy Action

Epilepsy Action is a UK based charity providing information, advice and support for people with epilepsy.

Formed in 1950 as British Epilepsy Association (the organisation adopted Epilepsy Action as its working name in 2002), it provides freephone and email helplines and a wide range of information booklets. It has around 100 local support groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and a network of volunteers working in the community.

It also organises conferences for people with epilepsy and health professionals with an interest in the condition. It also has a website that includes information about epilepsy and runs an online community for people with the condition and their carers.

It undertakes and encourages non-laboratory research into epilepsy and the issues surrounding living with the condition.

Membership of Epilepsy Action is open to anyone for payment of an annual fee. As at 31 December 2007, it had 15,166 members. [http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/sites/epilepsy/files/images/about/epilepsyaction_annualreport_2007.pdf]

The charity received international media coverage in 2007 when it claimed that 30 people with photosensitive epilepsy had had seizures as a result of a segment of animated footage commissioned by the organising committee of the London 2012 Summer Olympics to promote its logo.

Its headquarters are in Yeadon, West Yorkshire.

External links

* [http://www.epilepsy.org.uk Official website]
* [http://www.forum4e.com forum4e online community]
* [http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/showcharity.asp?remchar=&chyno=234343 Entry on the Register of Charities] from the Charity Commission