Red carpet launch for Happiness Heroes epilepsy film

EPILEPSY Scotland and I Am Me Scotland have created a training resource for primary schools across Scotland – to educate pupils about the serious consequences of hate crime.

Epilepsy Scotland has produced a film and accompanying book, commissioned by the Lord Advocate that will be rolled out to Primary 6 children across Scotland. It tackles the issue of bullying and hate crime, using epilepsy as an example.

The project, launched at a red carpet screening in Paisley on 4 March, includes materials for children in all primary school classes.

Chief executive, Lesslie Young says: “It has been our great pleasure to work in partnership with I Am Me Scotland to produce the Happiness Heroes film and accompanying book for their primary schools programme.

“It has been a great opportunity to highlight the stigma that still affects some people as a result of a hidden disability such as epilepsy.

“The story of a little boy and the bullying he has endured from children at his school is, sadly, still a real experience for many people with epilepsy of all ages.

“As a third party reporting centre ourselves, we wholeheartedly support the work of COPFS and Police Scotland to raise awareness of hate crime – in all its guises.

“As an organisation, we firmly believe that education is key to challenging the stigma and discrimination still associated with the condition.

“By reaching children at a young age, we can make a lasting difference to attitudes in the future. We hope that children across Scotland will question this behaviour before it ever goes as far as becoming a hate crime.”

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