The knowledge of Hull-based epilepsy specialists has been used to create a special animation to help young people manage their condition.
Hospital consultants and epilepsy nurse specialists based at Hull Royal Infirmary have worked with animation company, Get Animated Medical, to create “Staying Safe with Epilepsy”.
It’s the second in a series of animations developed by the paediatric team to help guide young people with additional needs and their families through their healthcare journey.
Crucially, this animation has also been shaped by local young people with epilepsy and those caring for them, to ensure it reflects the issues and the questions which matter most to them.
Dr Sandhya Jose, consultant in paediatric medicine for NHS Humber Health Partnership, explains: “Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and can cause seizures. It commonly starts in childhood and according to the charity, Epilepsy Action, there are more than 26,000 children in the UK aged between 4 and 12 who are currently living with the condition.
“While every individual’s experience of epilepsy, either as a patient or as the parent or carer of a child with epilepsy is different, there are some need-to-knows that are common to all families and some questions which often come up in clinic.
“Seizures can put you at risk of accidents and injury, so safety – both before, during and after a seizure – is one of those topics. This animation looks at how to stay safe inside and outside the home, and how to do your own safety checks. With some simple steps children and young people can still do the things they enjoy and stay safe.
“It will also support parents who will understandably feel anxious and help them feel more confident about managing risks related to epilepsy.”
Unseen Buddies Episode 2: Staying Safe with Epilepsy uses a friendly character called Echo to share tips on staying safe such as medication reminders, how to recognise triggers for seizures, and ways of making the home environment safer. The animation uses comforting narration, comic strip style animation and bright colours, making it perfect for visual learners.
Dr Jose continues: “In creating this animation, our aim is to explain how young people can stay safe in a fun and friendly way which is easy to understand. This is particularly important for children and young people with additional needs, for whom we know the animation format and the use of characters to work particularly well in getting important messages across.
“Coming into hospital can be unsettling for anyone, and we often find anxieties are heightened among children with additional needs or disabilities as they can find it more difficult to understand what’s happening. Being able to provide them with clear information which they can take in in their own time, in their own way, can really help to calm and reassure children, and enable us as health professionals to get the best out of their time in clinic with us.”
Chris Kennedy, CEO of Get Animated Medical, says: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the success of the first Unseen Buddies video, which has now reached more than 65,000 views. It’s clear there is a real need for engaging, accessible content that speaks directly to this important community. With the latest episode, we’re proud to continue supporting people with epilepsy and their families, helping them feel seen, understood, and empowered to stay safe.”
Alison Fuller, Director of Health Improvement and Influencing at Epilepsy Action, says:
“Staying safe is one of the biggest concerns for people with epilepsy and their families. We know parents and carers often feel anxious about the risks seizures can bring – both inside and outside the home. This animation is a really positive way of showing that, with some simple steps, children and young people can still do the things they love, while feeling more confident and supported. We’re proud to be part of this project, which gives families practical, accessible tools to help them manage epilepsy more safely.”
Unseen Buddies Episode 2 – Staying Safe with Epilepsy can be found on the Unseen Buddies YouTube Channel and NHS Humber Health Partnership’s Vimeo channel.