We , in Northland, are able to offer the following services:

• Educational services for professionals who work with people with epilepsy such as ambulance service staff, police, nurses and teachers. This can be in the form of presentations, small seminars or by simply providing literature.
• Community awareness through speaking engagements in community groups including service clubs, workplaces, school and recreational clubs.
• A national epilepsy helpline 0800 20 21 22 which comes directly through to us if you phone from a Northland number.
• Information and support services, both face-to-face and over the phone, for the individual or concerned family, whanau or friends. We can also assist work places by educating the workmates and staff to be able to be a better support to the person with epilepsy.
• Personal educational programmes for people with epilepsy and their family and friends to increase their understanding of epilepsy, medications and services available. This may include seizure management planning that provides strategies to help the person with epilepsy gain control of their seizures and build confidence.
• Social groups – I am working on building up social interest groups in order that those who have epilepsy can interact with others in a supportive environment, knowing that their peers will fully understand and know what to do if they have a seizure whilst out.
• We publish a Northland Newsletter quarterly, and can provide brochures, information sheets and booklets.
• As we are part of the National organisation we have a website you can visit for further information to allow for total support if away from home. Visit www.epilepsy.org.nz
  

Key Contacts

Elaine Goldthorpe

Field Officer

I am the Field Officer for the whole of Northland from Dargaville across to Kaiwaka and North.

I have a degree in teaching those with special educational needs and have taught in a wide variety of educational establishments in England and New Zealand. I have witnessed hundreds if not thousands of epileptic seizures of all types and supported the person through the experience. I bring this experience with me to this new post and have supplemented it though training with the Epilepsy Association of NZ.

Having seen the way that epilepsy can undermine the self confidence of an individual I come with lots of enthusiasm to support those with epilepsy and to get the message out there that epilepsy is JUST an illness and that the PERSON is more important.

09 438-5498

Maureen Brady

Administration Officer

have been the administration support worker for Epilepsy Northland for the last 9 years.  I have first hand experience of epilepsy and how it affects the family and their lives, and therefore can empathise with many of our clients. Part of my role is to support Elaine, our Field Officer, and we feel we are a well rounded team as we both have different experiences of epilepsy.

My role with Epilepsy Northland includes secretarial duties and fund raising.  This involves much form filling and also helping to organise street collections, BBQ’s etc.

I am usually in the office Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 3pm.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you feel alone with your epilepsy ….. you aren’t.

09 438 5498