New epilepsy support group for community

Coffee & Chat Epilepsy Support Group holds sessions every third Thursday of the month from 1pm to 2.30pm at the Big Local Hub in Cokeham Parade, Sompting.

West Sussex County Council awarded the group a grant of £2,540 in September last year to run the pilot project for 12 months.

The funding will allow the group to organise their own social events and trips.

At the peer-to-peer support group, individuals can relate to each other’s disability and the numerous related issues such as lack of mobility, depression, loss of memory and low self-esteem.

It gives the opportunity for epilepsy sufferers, their family, friends and carers, to come together for a coffee and support each other in an informal and relaxed setting.

Over the next few months, the group is planning to invite a number of outside speakers.

Gill Crowter is registered with Epilepsy Action as a co-ordinator. She said: “This group is a step in the right direction to give local support to local families.

“There is no group like this nearby. Since we stared in September, we are seeing our numbers grow.”

Many epileptics are unable to drive and need support to travel due the likelihood of seizures, which the group can provide.

It also has the support of neurological nurses at Worthing Hospital where their workload is increasing and where some sufferers would contact them for basic support.

Nationally, there are 67 people each day diagnosed with epilepsy.

Big Sompting Local is mainly run by volunteers and provides a hub for the community that offers activities, advice and support.

For more details, call Gill on 01903 851282 or the Epilepsy Action Helpline for free on 0808 800 5050.

Sompting Big Local is located at 6 Cokeham Parade, BN150AH.

To contact the team, call 01903 905899. For more details, visit www.biglocalsompting.org.uk