About us
Hope fOr Paediatric Epilepsy
“HOPE” Tameside was founded in 2008 by Carolyn Taylor, Paediatric Epilepsy Specialist Nurse at Tameside General Hospital, and Kelly Wray, one of our trustees/Chairperson.
Our story
Dedicated and determined to succeed
Our support group was initially funded by Tameside Council/ISCAN team at Jubilee Gardens, Droylsden, Manchester and the parent participation fund.
A very special group of parents then volunteered to be part of “HOPE” Tameside and this is when we grew from strength to strength.
Thanks must go to Lorraine Carter, Secretary, Anita Cottam, Treasurer and Joanne and Paul Smith, Vice Chair and Events Manager for all being so “Dedicated and Determined to succeed!”
Our start up grant was then awarded from the seed fund at Forever Manchester and our regular monthly meetings at Slide and Seek, Hyde, Manchester commenced.
Our main aim
To make a difference to our children's lives, who are living with epilepsy, in whatever way we can!
Our achievements
Slide and Seek
Monthly sessions at Slide and Seek provide support and friendship for both the children, young carers and parents (these sessions cost £135 a month to run and are funded by Tameside Council/ISCAN team at Jubilee Gardens, Droylsden).
Hollywood Bowl
Monthly sessions at Hollywood Bowl – respite and fun for the teenagers with epilepsy, siblings and young carers (these sessions are run by parent volunteers and are funded by Tameside Council/ISCAN team at Jubilee Gardens, Droylsden).
Anti-suffocation pillows
Anti-suffocation pillows given to any child who is a member of HOPE and who is at risk of SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy). A grant from the Co-operative Group has contributed to supplying pillows.
A camcorder for Tameside Hospital
To loan to parents to record night-time seizures, which ensures an accurate diagnosis.
An epilepsy training doll
For the paediatric epilepsy nurse at Tameside to show parents how to administer rescue medication.
Respite and support
Short breaks/day trips to Gullivers World, Alton Towers, Chill Factore, Christmas parties, Mr Clown's, monthly Slide and Seek sessions, Leading Edge parents' pamper nights and teenagers/siblings monthly bowling sessions.
A roundabout for Oakdale Special School
A wheelchair/able bodied roundabout for Oakdale Special School, Dukinfield, due to our successful grant from Dukinfield District Assembly, You Choose project and Tameside Council – we were awarded £3,000.
Speech and language therapy
Due to our successful grant awarded by Forever Manchester/Comic Relief, offering 1 to 1 speech and language/communication sessions in the child's own home.
Sensory equipment
Due to our successful grant awarded by Hilton Hotel Deansgate, Hilton Manchester Airport and Manchester Evening News – special sensory equipment to use at our monthly Slide and Seek sessions and to loan out to families to use in their own home.
Our trustees
The people behind HOPE
- ChairpersonKelly Wray
- Vice-ChairpersonJoanne Smith
- SecretaryLorraine Carter
- Events ManagerPaul Smith
- TreasurerAnita Cottam
HOPE is growing
Start your own local “Hope” group
In November 2010, there was a Dravet Syndrome UK conference and Carolyn Taylor was the Paediatric Epilepsy Specialist Nurse who was speaking at the conference, and this is where one of our trustees met Scott Liddle. Scott was interested in setting up a parent support group, like Hope Tameside.
Thanks to funding from Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, we now have another support group, “HOPE” London, founded by Scott Liddle, trustee/Chairman.
Together we can all make a difference – so if you have got what it takes and you are interested in starting your own local “Hope” parent support group, please contact us and we will try and help in whatever way we can.
Contact us