ADHD UK: Supporting People and Raising Awareness of ADHD
When I decided to organise the ADHD Extravaganza in Ely, one of the things that was important to me was that the event should have a purpose beyond simply gathering people together for an afternoon.
I wanted it to raise awareness of ADHD, bring people together, give local businesses and speakers an opportunity to share what they do, and ultimately raise some money for a charity doing important work for people affected by ADHD.
That is why I chose ADHD UK as the charity to benefit from the event, with all profits from the ADHD Extravaganza being donated to them.
What Is ADHD UK?
ADHD UK was founded in 2020 with the aim of supporting people affected by ADHD, as well as their families, friends, employers and colleagues. It is a registered charity, number 1188365, and is funded through donations rather than government funding.
One of the things I like about ADHD UK is that their work covers much more than simply raising awareness of ADHD. They have five main areas of focus: information, support, research, advocacy and awareness.
That means their work ranges from providing information about ADHD and supporting people who are trying to understand their diagnosis, through to campaigning for better understanding and treatment of people with ADHD.
How Does ADHD UK Support People With ADHD?
ADHD UK provides a range of support, including online peer support groups, Facebook groups, drop-in clinics and information around areas such as diagnosis, employment, education, and Access to Work. They also run expert-led events and support groups covering different aspects of life with ADHD.
They also provide information for people who are waiting for an ADHD assessment, including guidance around NHS diagnosis pathways and Right to Choose. Their website has a wealth of information aimed at helping people understand ADHD and find appropriate support.
I think this kind of support is particularly important because receiving an ADHD diagnosis can sometimes leave people with more questions than answers. Knowing where to find reliable information and being able to connect with other people who understand what you are experiencing can make a real difference.
Raising Awareness and Changing Attitudes Towards ADHD
Awareness is another important part of ADHD UK's work. They aim to improve understanding of ADHD, challenge the stigma and misconceptions surrounding it, and advocate for people with ADHD across areas including employment, education, healthcare and government.
They also contribute to research and collect people's experiences of ADHD to help identify where support is needed which includes research into areas such as workplace adjustments, Access to Work, diagnosis waiting experiences, and education.
For me, this is particularly important because ADHD is still misunderstood by many people. Raising awareness isn't simply about getting more people to recognise the name ADHD; it is about helping people understand what living with ADHD can actually look lik,e and challenging some of the assumptions that still surround it.
The ADHD Extravaganza in Ely
This is where the ADHD Extravaganza comes in!
I'm bringing together speakers, local neurodiverse businesses, stalls, food, crafts, and live music for an afternoon focused on ADHD, with my own talk alongside guest speakers covering other areas relating to ADHD.
The event is taking place at The Lighthouse in Ely on Saturday 19th September, with doors opening at 2:30pm and the event running from 3pm to 6:30pm.
Most importantly, all profits from ticket sales will be donated to ADHD UK.
I wanted the event to be enjoyable and useful, but I also wanted the money raised to go somewhere that is already working to support people with ADHD, improve understanding, and push for better support across the UK.
Book Your Tickets
If you would like to come along, tickets are £9 for one person or £15 for two, and every ticket helps contribute towards the amount we can ultimately donate to ADHD UK.
I'd love to see you there, and hopefully together we can raise a decent amount for a charity doing some really important work.
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