
This organisation was founded in 2004 by
Emma Williams through her own experiences with her son
Matthew and the successful use of the Ketogenic Diet to
treat his seizures.
Matthew's Friends is the only UK charity
dedicated solely to the field of Dietary Treatments for
Epilepsy. Together with their highly respected
medical board chaired by Professor Helen Cross from Great
Ormond Street Hospital, Matthew’s Friends has grown at an
incredible rate over the past few years. The
charity is now International with global experts working
with the group to provide the latest information
possible. They have a branch working in South
Africa as well as being involved with and supporting over
20 other countries worldwide in the use of these diets.
They fund dietetic posts within the NHS in the UK, they
also put funding into medical research into the use of
these dietary treatments and they fund individual
patients both children and adults. They also
facilitate and fund National and International
conferences, workshops and training programmes for both
professional and patient, they have set up a Patient
Sponsorship programme in South Africa and they also
provide an extensive website, printed material, patient
files and have a telephone helpline available 365 days
per year. They provide a ketogenic recipe service
for patient and professional to use as well social
activities for families. There are also 8 UK
Regional Co-ordinators for Matthew’s Friends supporting
local ketogenic services and the organisation works with
all the Epilepsy Groups - if anyone needs information on
the Dietary Treatments for Epilepsy they will provide it.
Emma is the parent representative for
KetoPAG (Ketogenic Professional Advisory Group for the UK
and Ireland) and is the International Patron for DESI
(Dietary Treatments for Epilepsy in India), she has been
asked to speak around the world on the work of Matthew’s
Friends and the Ketogenic Diet. Emma and the
Matthew's Friends medical board are now working on their
next goal which is to open their very own Centre to
provide all the different dietary treatments
for epilepsy for both children and
adults.
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