OPTUS SUPPORTS SMARTCLIPS FOR EPILEPSY ACTION AUSTRALIA

Epilepsy Action Australia (EAA) will celebrate the upcoming launch of its Smartclips Project this Wednesday 10 April, made possible with $10,000 in funding from the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program. Smartclips, produced and distributed with Optus funding, is a series of online education videos to help young people living with epilepsy manage their condition.

EAA is Australia’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist epilepsy services including patient and community education. Smartclips are a rolling update of videos on EAA’s online library covering a wide variety of life issues related to youth with epilepsy. This includes clips on epilepsy management, learning, employment, recreation and socialisation.

Carol Ireland, EAA’s CEO said, “Young people with epilepsy are at higher risks of social isolation. They aren’t always well informed about how seizures affect their emotional, behavioural and social adjustments and what strategies can be taken to overcome these disadvantages.

“The ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program is helping raise awareness with young people on how to deal with life challenges related to epilepsy such as driving, participating in sport and socialising. We hope the clips will help spread the word about epilepsy and bring greater understanding to an issue that is not commonly discussed.”

Helen Maisano, Optus Associate Director, Corporate Social Responsibility said, “We are delighted the Smartclips Project is helping provide young people with epilepsy with accurate knowledge and practical skills to confidently participate in social activities. Optus sees a real community benefit in investing in EAA which helps disadvantaged youth reconnect with society and reach their full potential in life.”

The annual ‘yes’ Optus Connecting Communities Grants Program awards funding of up to $10,000 to not-for-profit organisations that help build social inclusion and reconnect disengaged youth in communities. Since 2008, Optus has awarded $880,000 in grants to 165 community organisations across Australia.

Carol Ireland and young people living with epilepsy will be at EAA’s Head Office next Wednesday to talk about the SmartClips Project and how it aims to educate young teenagers dealing with epilepsy.

MEDIA EVENT:
WHEN: Wednesday 10 April, 10-11am
WHERE: Epilepsy Action Australia Head Office, Suite 8, 44-46 Oxford Street, Epping
WHY: A chance to interview some of the young people living with epilepsy and EAA’s senior staff on how the SmartClips Project aims to educate young teenagers dealing with epilepsy.
ATTENDING: Carol Ireland, EAA’s CEO; Lisa Todd, EAA’s Clinical Nurse Consultant; Melinda Baily, Optus Learning and Development Manager; Roland Tabet, ‘yes’ Optus Carlingford Franchisee and young people living with epilepsy.

About Optus in the Community: For more information on the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program please visit https://www.optus.com.au/shop/aboutoptus/communitygrants

Media contact:
Julia Clarke
Fuel Communications
(02) 8217 6505