Teenage girl looks serious, with her arms wrapped around her knees

Youth Support

Anyone can submit a referral form for one-to-one youth support; you can apply yourself, or your parent or a professional who works with you can refer you.

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Need some help? 

We help children and young people with epilepsy to thrive and fulfil their potential. We’re here for you.

Whether you need support to better understand your condition, to deal with challenges you are facing, or to see your future full of potential, our Youth Support team are here to help. 

We work with children and young people aged up to 25 years old, who have a range of abilities and needs.

You will find:

  • Information about epilepsy, health and social care, and your rights and benefits.
  • A safe space to speak and ask questions
  • A community of young people living with epilepsy, who you can meet and connect, and learn from each other’s experiences 
  • Help finding the mental health and wellbeing support you need
  • Support in building resilience, confidence and independence, that’s right for you

Professionals can download our shareable poster

Refer for support

If you, or a child in your care is struggling because of their epilepsy, you can refer them for support by filling in this form.

Find out more
heart in hands

How we help

Information and support

How we help

One-to-one Support

One-to-one Youth Support is primarily for young people and children living with epilepsy aged 10 to 18 years old.

How we help

Epilepsy & Me

Do you need support? Living with epilepsy can be challenging, but our 'Epilepsy and me' support groups are here to help.

How we help

The Channel

The Channel connects you with people who get it. A digital space for young people, aged 13+, who are living with epilepsy, for them to to share, learn and find support.

Your community

Your community

Virtual Youth Clubs

Discover a vibrant online community at Young Epilepsy Youth Club. Boost confidence, make lasting friendships, and thrive with fun activities. Join now for a UK-wide connection and positive, empowering experiences!

Are you struggling to cope?

Shout is a free, confidential and 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK

To start a conversation, text PURPLE to 85258

Find out more

Why do people need Youth Support Services

Having epilepsy can feel frightening and lonely if you, or others around you, don’t understand your condition, or you don’t get the right support.  We’re here for you.

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures. There are different types of seizures and many different symptoms, and everyone can experience them differently.

Epilepsy doesn’t only affect you when you are having a seizure, it can affect you every day, in all areas of your life. It may impact on your mental wellbeing and you may even find yourself excluded from education, sport, social gatherings and relationships. 

Ways epilepsy could affect you

Seizures can take a toll on how you feel physically; you might feel exhausted after a seizure and take days to recover, you may even be injured.  Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) can be very effective at helping control seizures, but they can also come with side effects. 

Epilepsy is not a mental illness, yet you are four times more likely to develop a mental health problem than your friends who don’t have epilepsy. There are three reasons for this:

  1. This can be because epilepsy effects the part of the brain that controls mood. Also, struggling with emotions and feelings in the hours and days leading up to and following a seizure is normal. 
  2. Sometimes anti-seizure medications can contribute to symptoms of low mood, mood swings and anxiety.  
  3.  Navigating childhood and becoming a young adult can be a tricky experience for everyone. For a child or young person with epilepsy, the challenges of growing up can be even greater.  Living with a condition that’s frightening and unpredictable and that other people don't always understand. 

Read more about our campaign #OnTopOfEpilepsy.  Visit the mental health and wellbeing space at The Channel 

It is common for people not to understand epilepsy and how it’s different for everyone. At school and college this can lead to people making assumptions about what you can and can’t do.   

You may find yourself unnecessarily excluded, stopped from participating in activities you are capable of, or not offered the support you need to fulfill your potential. We can help.

Read more about our campaign #UnderstandMyEpilepsy and find out about support for you at school.   

Often  the people close to you don’t fully understand your condition and how it affects you.  This could result in them being overprotective or scared, and this can impact your independence and relationships.