About
We are the Families & Friends of the Epilepsy Society. FFES for short.
We're a charity run by families of people who live at the Epilepsy Society in Chalfont. Everything we do, from monthly concerts to a fully accessible Nature Trail, is about bringing more to their lives.
Families & Friends of the Epilepsy Society (FFES)
We’re a small charity, registered with the Charity Commission, which has the aim of improving the lives of the people who are supported by the Epilepsy Society, and indeed those staff who support them.
FFES has existed since around the year 2000, when around 300 people were supported by the Epilepsy Society. Past committee members worked tirelessly to invite quality speakers to meetings, spent time liaising with senior management and Trustees of the Epilepsy Society, as well as providing entertainment and activities for residents.
These days, Epilepsy Society provides 110 people with residential care or supported living services. Typically, these are adults with very hard to treat epilepsy, and some level of learning disability. They are funded by local authorities and the NHS, depending on their level of medical need.
Our charity aims to add to the service provided by the Epilepsy Society. In recent years this has involved the funding and development of a beautiful Tranquillity Nature Trail and introducing a series of concerts for residents and staff, the Sunday Sounds programme.
We also provide support and information for our members, all of whom have relatives supported by the Epilepsy Society. We seek to work closely with senior management and Trustees of the Epilepsy Society.
Key Facts
All money raised goes towards fulfilling our charitable purpose
- 100% volunteer led
- None of our Trustees are paid
- We have no paid employees
More than membership
There are all sorts of ways in which you could help, too.
You could join our gardening group on the Nature Trail. You could volunteer to help at Sunday Sounds. You could become a House Rep, helping to keep other parents informed on the flat or house where your loved one lives.
Our People
Meet the Trustees
Our trustees are the families of people supported by the Epilepsy Society. Trustees are elected for three-year terms, and we work closely with the Society's own management and trustees.
Nicola Davies
Chair
Nicola has been an upper school teacher all her working life, always pursuing her underlying belief in inclusion and achievement for all.
Her daughter Emma has lived at Russell House at the Epilepsy Society for over 20 years.
John Davies
Treasurer
John is a Chartered Civil Engineer and a Chartered Water and Environmental Manager. He has now retired after working over 40 years in Civil Engineering.
He volunteers for the National Trust undertaking archaeological survey work.
John Davies is the Treasurer for the FFES and has a daughter who has lived in Russell House for over 20 years.
David Josephs
Vice Chair
David is non-executive director of various Public Relations companies, and is also a Trustee of the charity Carers UK.
In the past he has served as the chair of the Joint Epilepsy Council of the UK and Ireland. He is hugely committed to raising funds for the FFES, and organises Sunday Sounds.
David’s son has been supported by Epilepsy Society since 2021.
Jules Josephs
Secretary
On top of her role as the charity’s secretary, Jules is a highly experienced mentor for the charity Carers in Hertfordshire, and has an extensive knowledge of how to navigate the care system.
She was a highly respected head of department in a large secondary school in Northamptonshire before becoming a full time carer for her son Dominic.
Zara Jalili
Zara has been working in the NHS for 10 years, as a GP receptionist, and during the pandemic received a certificate of recognition for her contribution to the national vaccination effort.
Zara loves to cook Iranian food, especially for Epilepsy Society events.
Her son Mohsen has been at the Epilepsy Society for 16 years, and his passions include puzzles, the Gruffalo and Pom-Bears.
Phil Munday
Phil Munday is a retired head teacher and local councillor. His interests are Bridge, badminton and fitness, and he makes use of his management skills in his council work.
His son Simon has been a resident of Russell House since 2015
Jane Knight
Jane has now completed more than 45 years of service within the NHS, and still counting.
She appreciates the contribution FFES gives to enhance the lives of residents and the support for families.
Her son has lived at the Epilepsy Society for nine years.
Penny Munday
Penny Munday is a retired Further Education lecturer on Information Technology.
Penny is also a linguist, an artist, a local historian and a Morris dancer.
Her son Simon has been a resident of the Epilepsy Society since 2015.
Jenni Back
She is actively retired and still involved in various voluntary work related to maths education. She was a researcher, developer and teacher of maths to people from tiny to adult and still loves doing maths!
She is keen to support Epilepsy Society in becoming a world class facility with care at the heart of its provision alongside research and service provision for the NHS. She is also enthusiastic about developing relationships between family members as we support one another in getting the best possible care for our loved ones and make sure we are supported ourselves.
Jenni Back has a son Chris at Croft Cottage and he has been there since September 2022.
Support FFES
Help us bring more to their lives
Every pound donated goes to improving the life of the people who live at the Epilepsy Society, and for the staff who support them.
Your support can change lives
- £12 could pay for two staff vouchers in the Phoenix Cafe
- £50 could pay for new shrubs for our Nature Trail
- £750 could pay for an entire Sunday Sounds concert
- £25 monthly helps us organise future concerts for residents and staff
Giving takes just one minute through JustGiving.
