A guide to our services

It's our belief that treatment for epilepsy does not begin and end with diagnosis. When you leave the consulting room/hospital, you have to go and live in the world with epilepsy.

That is where we come in.

We provide a range of services which aim to give support and information about living with epilepsy. Our helpline, fieldwork and counselling service is available, free of charge, to people with epilepsy and their families living in Merseyside and Cheshire. We are also happy to answer professional enquiries of any kind.

Helpline

By calling our number - (0151) 298 2666 - you can reach our experienced staff directly and receive information and support over the telephone. The line is open 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. If you hear an answerphone message, it usually means the lines are busy - please leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

You are guaranteed an understanding and friendly response from our staff. If they cannot help you, they may suggest another agency who can, or a course of action to take. We have access, for instance, to advisors on employment and welfare benefits.

You can ask us anything at all about living with epilepsy - from information on driving to how to apply for Disability Living Allowance. We are not medically trained and can't offer medical advice directly. However, our localised service means we can often advise you of the best route to take. Our helpline number is (0151) 298 2666. If you prefer to write to us with a query, or to receive information, you can do so to: MREA, Glaxo Neurological Centre, Norton Street, Liverpool, L3 8LR.

Face to face support and fieldwork

You may find out what you need to know over the telephone, or through our range of printed information. However, you may want the more direct, in-depth support and information offered through face-to-face support.

You may like to make an appointment to come in and see one of our Advice Co-ordinators during office hours (9.30am to 4.30pm) Monday to Friday at The Glaxo Neurological Centre in central Liverpool.

You may prefer a fieldworker to get in touch with you with a view to visiting you in your home. Home visits provide a relaxed and unhurried environment - your chance to ask all the questions you want to in confidence. This service is available throughout Merseyside and most of Cheshire, and you can refer yourself for a home visit via our helpline, or by letter. For more information, contact us on (0151) 298 2666 or write to us: MREA, The Neurosupport Centre, Norton Street, Liverpool, L3 8LR.

Other activities

At the core of MREA's activities is its support services, but we are active in many other ways.

* You can find us at the helpdesk at the Mersey Region Epilepsy Clinic at The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Fazakerley, Liverpool, every Tuesday and Friday afternoon. If you have an appointment at the clinic, please visit us to pick up a range of free information and chat to us personally.
* We are active members of the Joint Epilepsy Council, the umbrella group of epilepsy charities in the UK and Ireland.
* Each year, we make a substantial donation to research which may better the lives of people with epilepsy in the future.
* We promote awareness of epilepsy at every opportunity, from gaining coverage in the media, to running poster campaigns throughout the region.