Charity of the Year Finalists, Fifteen Groups, First Event, and Fundraisers
ADHDAF+ Charity are launching in two new locations in ADHD Awareness Month; taking October’s total number of free in-person ADHD Peer Support Groups up to FIFTEEN- plus we have another group waiting in the wings for November!
Alongside the excitement of our national ADHD support network expanding; we are delighted to announce that ADHDAF+ have been shortlisted for Charity of The Year in the European Diversity Awards 2026!
As if that’s not enough, we’ve even more amazing news to share; starting with our latest ADHD Group stats…
The above displays the impact of our ADHD Support Groups to date; as informed by feeback from 331 Group attendees since launching in March ‘25.
Hi I’m Laura, Founder and CEO of ADHDAF+ Charity, ADHD AF Podcast Host and Columnist for ADHD Magazine.
I was diagnosed with severe combined type ADHD aged 38 in January 2022; which not only improved my quality of life; it saved my life… and I’ve been on a mission to help others like me ever since.
My Podcast ADHD As Females (ADHD AF) united a ‘Leopard Print Army’ of listeners, which led to an online community and three UK Tours.
The ADHD AF Podcast Community and Live ADHD Bingo Events both inspired the creation of - and continue to inform the work of this Charity… ADHDAF+ is about us, by us, for us.Easy Target Event
Easy Target Event
On Sunday 6th September we hosted our first ADHD Event in collaboration with The National Trust at Nostell in Wakefield - free to attend thanks to funding from The National Lottery.
An ADHD Event like no other! Empowering, educational and entertaining; ADHD Easy Target was set in the gorgeous grounds of a Georgian house and woodland in West Yorkshire.
An ambitious day featuring multiple guest speakers delivering ADHD information and validation in unique and engaging ways, whilst bringing ADHD Women and NBI folk together to make peer support connections.
I dusted off my ladle to gamify the learning process - sewing all segments of the day together as one big game of ADHD Bingo.
We made full use of the stunning scenery by breaking up the workshops with outdoor movement sessions.
We began the day learning about Nostell, our Charity and why The National Trust and ADHDAF+ are a perfect collaboration.
A disucssion followed with ADHDAF+ Trustee, GP and women’s health expert Dr Helen Wall on ADHD, Perimenopause, medical misogyny and defeating dismissal, before giving guests the choice of a woodland walk with Lu in Lu land,
…yoga and breath work with ADHDAF+ Treasurer Kim Pierpoint, the chance to dance with ADHDAF+ Trustee Aishley’s Vogue Workshop, or to take some time out in our ADHD Book Nook, get creative in Craft Corner, get vocal on our Pop Up Podcast or simply relax and enjoy/explore the venue.
Next we learnt about ADHD Tax and tackling financial struggles with Your Wealth Coach, Sara Jane Maxwell
The second movement session included the above with the additional option of a Self Defence for Self Confidence class from West Yorkshire local legends, Blossom Training.
After lunch we had an ADHD Relationships and Boundaries workshop from ADHDAF+’s Safeguarding Lead and Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Author Lou O’Connell MBE and our Manchester ADHD Group Facilitator Gill Charlton.
We identified manipulative behaviour with red and green flags, and learnt about barriers by entangling in twine.
You would think (and admittedly, I worried) that after a day this full - the final movement session would leave us exhausted; but the exact opposite occurred.
All returned rejuvenated from the novelty of variety and activity in nature to a Power of Voice and Stance for Safety session from Blossom Training’s Madeline France, followed by the closing session from me - including many ADHD Bingo prizes won and Dolly Parton Karaoke to conclude!
As explained in this episode recorded at Nostell on a planning trip; this pilot event was an experiment. I put all of my many ideas into creating this unique, jam-packed day using all I’ve learnt from the podcast tours and breaking from the standard running of other ADHD events.
Though all people with ADHD are entirely different, after four years of creating ADHD AF Podcast, many have shared that they resonate with my experiences. So as a person that struggles with booking activities ahead of a day, and hates missing out on clashing sessions; I wanted to ‘create what I wish existed’ for others like me.
An event with unique and engaging delivery of information, (I’m easily bored) hard hitting facts and support signposting interspersed with fun, (I’m equally easily perturbed) with the option to decide what activities I’d like to partake in on the day (as alongside technology struggles, I never know how I’ll feel), plus the ability to dip in and out of sessions at any time, or opt out entirely to do my own thing if I didn’t feel up to participating.
I’ll admit, this wasn’t only a gamble, it certainly wasn’t easy to organise! :) But all of the hard work from myself and the team of much appreciated Volunteers seriously paid off…
“The ADHD Easy Target Pilot Event was a resounding success, earning a 100% recommendation rate!
Participants, praised its unique format, variety (89.5% rating 4 or 5), and welcoming atmosphere that allowed 94.7% of attendees to feel accepted and comfortable unmasking.
Fostering a significantly deepened sense of community - jumping from 26.3% feeling strongly connected before the event to 68.4% giving the highest rating afterward.
The day delivered tangible impact, with 84.3% gaining practical tools to support their ADHD and all four workshops seeing high empowerment ratings (led by Relationships and Boundaries at 78.9%).
The strategic inclusion of ‘Movement in Nature’ sessions proved to be a major highlight, with 89.4% reporting that these breaks boosted their energy, reset their brain, or helped them focus.”
Not only were these results not on my bingo card, they’re beyond our wildest dreams!
ADHDAF+ pride ourselves on being informed by the community we serve; so we’re extremely grateful for this feedback, and can’t wait to continue this format with several more ADHD Easy Target
Events in Spring/Summer 2027!
To be the first to hear upcoming event details - sign up HERE.
Enormous thanks to all who attended to our first Charity ADHD Event, to Nostell staff, The National Trust, The National Lottery Community Fund, and to all of our incredible Speakers, Movement Session Facilitators and Leopard Print Army Volunteers! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
September Group Glimmers
We provided ADHD Peer Support in 12 locations in September - here are a few highlights…
One of the many who enjoyed our first event was this legendary Support Group attendee, who loved striking a pose in Aishley’s dance workshop so much that she brought her new Vogue moves to Blackpool for this month’s ADHD peer support session!
’10s, 10s, 10s accross the board!’
Thank you Paula for facilitating another fantastic Blackpool ADHD Support Group!
Join Paula: 7-9pm
Thursday 15th October
at Aunty Social, 28 Topping St, Blackpool FY1 3AQ
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Blackpool Support Group reminder emails HERE
Sign up for ADHDAF+ Amble ADHD Group reminder emails HERE
Enormous thanks to Co-Facilitator Toni for leading the ADHD Manchester Group for the first time!
Join Gill and Toni at the next session: 7-9pm
Wednesday 14th October at Friends’ Meeting House, 6 Mount St, Manchester M2 5NS
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Manchester Support Group reminder emails HERE
Thank you Eve for a brilliant Hemel Hempstead ADHD Group!
Come along to Eve’s next ADHD Hemel Hempstead Group at 7-9pm on Thursday 1st October
at St Johns Hall, Station Road, Hemel Hampstead,
HP1 1JY
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Hemel Hempstead Support Group reminder emails HERE
Thank you Ruth aka ‘Geeky Roo’ for another awesome London session!
You can join Ruth at 6:30-8.30pm
on Thursday 1st October at Almorah Road Community Centre, 58 Almorah Rd, N1 3EU
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD London Support Group reminder emails HERE.
The person who came up with the idea to open up this years Big ADHD Fundraiser to all is Ayr ADHD Group Facilitator Beth!
Thank you Beth for an amazing Ayr ADHD Group!
Come along to Beth’s next session at 6.30 - 8.30pm on
Tuesday 6th October at 48 Newmarket Street, KA7 1LR
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Ayr Group reminder emails HERE
Beth is 1/3 of The Tremendous Trio cycling from 200 miles in just 2 days for 2 ADHD Charities: ADHDAF+ and ADHDadultUK this coming weekend - 26th-27th September! If you are able, please sponsor Beth or join our team by starting a fundraiser of your choice HERE.
ADHD Swindon Group Facilitator Jen, has turned her passion into a Fundraiser to join our Big ADHD Fundraising Team.
Thank you so much Jen for donating all profit made from your faux floral handmade hoops to the Big ADHD fundraiser and for all of your amazing work with the Swindon ADHD Group!
Join Jen at 7-9pm on Tuesday 6th October at Little Grazey, 114 Victoria Rd, Swindon SN1 3BH
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Swindon Group reminder emails HERE
Big thanks to Unshrunk Collective for Sponsoring our Swindon Group!
If you would like sponsor a group, our corporate packages are HERE.
Alongside facilitating our Bristol ADHD Group, Kate is the ADHDAF+ Charity Group Coordinator!
Thank you so much Kate for all of your hard work supporting us all and leading the brilliant Bristol Group!
Join Kate at 7-9pm on Thursday 1st October at The Loft (3rd Floor)
Tobacco Factory, BS3 1TF
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Bristol Support Group reminder emails HERE
Thank you Donnie for another wonderful Cambridge session!
You can join Donnie at 7-9pm
on Wednesday 7th October at Unity Centre, (Blossom Room)
Pathfinder Way, Northstowe,
CB24 1FD
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Cambridge Support Group reminder emails HERE
Thank you Gemma for another amazing Runcorn session!
You can join Gemma at 6:30-8.30pm on Wednesday 7th October at Murdishaw Community Centre, Barnfield Ave, Murdishaw, WA7 6JW
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Runcorn Support Group reminder emails HERE
Thank you Lizee for another Brilliant Birmingham ADHD Group!
You can join Lizee at 7-9pm on
Tuesday 6th October at Stryx JQ, 90 Vyse St, Birmingham B18 6JZ (access via secret garden)
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Birmingham Support Group reminder emails HERE
New Groups in
Gateshead & Plymouth!
First up, we have our second group in the North East! Our new Gateshead ADHD Group is Co-facilitated by like-minded locals and firm friends Lorna and Adelle!
This is our first group facilitated on a Monday - which from October will run the first Monday of everything month!
We are absolutely delighted to have this pair onboard, and I LOVE how this came about….
Can you spot our Gateshead Facilitators back-left, behind RSD-2?! This photo was taken two years ago at the Newcastle show of the third podcast tour: Alien Nation - which also happened to be ADHD AF Podcast’s 2nd Birthday!
’That show was an absolutely mint night! First time I’d ever felt that I could fully unmask in a room full of people without being judged.‘
- ADHDAF+ Co-facilitator Adelle
And if that wasn’t amazing enough, you can also spot our Amble ADHD Group Facilitator Fiona back right! To know that these podcast tours didn’t just inspire me to found ADHDAF+ Charity; this show inspired three late discovered ADHD women to become local leaders offering peer support and connection in their communities is so moving. Never mind a glimmer; that’s a proper full circle moment!
A warm welcome to the ADHDAF+ Facilitator crew ladies… though as we can see, you’re already part of the furniture!
Sign up for ADHDAF+ Gateshead ADHD Support Group reminder emails HERE
‘I’m helped by the podcast and found the Charity through listening. I decided to go for it and reach out to see if I could volunteer to set one up.
This is exactly the kind of giving back that I wish to do when giving my time.’
- ADHDAF+ Facilitator Sarah
Taking us up to 15 Groups in October; we’re very grateful and excited to have Sarah launch her Plymouth ADHD Group!
Sign up for ADHDAF+ Plymouth ADHD Support Group reminder emails HERE
Enormous thanks to Sarah, Lorna and Adelle! Sarah’s group serves as ADHDAF+’s southernmost outpost to date; and our Team are so happy to be able to connect ADHD adults of marginalised genders with free in-person peer support group in so many areas in ADHD Awareness Month 2026!
ADHD Awareness Month
You’re invited to your local ADHDAF+ ADHD Peer Support Group in October…you don’t need to be on time or have an ADHD Diagnosis - SELF DIAGNOSIS IS VALID. You just need to be over 18 and have or think you might have ADHD - No sign-up, just turn up and stay as long as you like!
“But what is the format of ADHDAF+ Groups?
Who can attend?
How do we choose locations?
AND... What’s with all the leopard print?!
Your questions, answered on our FAQ page”
You can find out all of the above and more HERE
Fiercely Fun Fundraising
ADHD is NOT a ‘Trend’… #ADHDAFDay is!
On the penultimate Friday of October for the fifth year running… ADHDAF Day turns ‘that’ ableist remark on its head by using the very thing that’s used against us!
Social media has informed, connected and empowered so many of us - with lots reporting they even discovered their ADHD because of it… let’s show ‘em what a social media trend actually is!
Turning 'casual Friday' WILD whilst raising ADHD awareness online with Leopard Print, and raising funds for the Charity that The Leopard Print Army inspired…
Friday 23rd October is the fifth annual ADHDAF Day; and it's the most important one yet - as it directly signposts people in need to our FREE ADHD Adult Peer Support Groups!
HOW TO TAKE PART:
*Ahead of the day* - Please encourage others to get onboard with the day. Each year we see whole teams teams at work take part; with even a team of teachers in a school last year!
1. Wherever you are in the world, please wear at least one leopard print item (as many as you like) on Friday 23rd October
2. Please take a photograph or video of yourself wearing leopard print to spread our leopard print movement
3. Please share it on instagram/Facebook with the HASHTAG #ADHDAFDay and TAG @adhdafpodcast and @adhdafplus in order to signpost people to free ADHD Support Groups / encourage them to apply to start their own (and so that we can see your post and share it!)
5. Please DONATE to this fundraiser page if you are able, and share the link to it to help us to continue to facilitate more free ADHD Groups and provide training to our Volunteer Facilitators.
*If you don't want to/or can't wear leopard print and/or you don't want to/or can't post on social media, you can still get involved by posting a picture of some leopard print or even a picture of a leopard on your insta or facebook page or story*
Want ADHDAF Day email reminders? Sign Up HERE
You can watch some highlights from last year's ADHDAF Day HERE
The average cost to cover one attendee at a group is just £3, so no donation is too small and all make a difference HERE
FIVE years on from dressing up in Leopard Print and ranting on ADHD AF Podcast, just look what we have achieved TOGETHER!
We are the Leopard Print Army… HEAR US ROAR!
The Big ADHD Fundraiser
Alongside turning social media leopard print we have a fundraiser so exciting these legends couldn’t even wait until ADHD Awareness Month to get started!
Despite life making the usual cycling event impossible this year; Big ADHD Fundraiser Founder Darren still wanted to be involved in a way that he was able - so he joined forces with my Husband ‘Big’ to cycle from London to Brighton - the very route where it all began….
Our Charity was able to launch so many of our very first ADHD Groups and Mental Health First Aid train several of our Facilitators thanks to the funds raised by Darren and his crew that cycled from Ayr-Wrexham last year.
Not just this Charity, but even ADHD AF Podcast quite simply would not exist if it wasn’t for the many sacrifices made by Big these last four years.
All of us at ADHDAF+ are extremely grateful for all you both do for all of us. THANK YOU SO MUCH LEGENDS!
The ‘boys’ have raised almost £1500 with their 55 mile cycle! If you’d like to donate, you still can: sponsor Dazza HERE and Big HERE.
Three of last year’s cyclists are also back in the saddle - Ayr Group Facilitator Beth, Ayr Group Attendee Micky and London/Hemel Hempstead Group Attendee Steph, aka The Tremendous Trio are cycling coast to coast - from Newcastle to Ayr THIS WEEKEND, 26th/27th September!
We know these ladies will absolutely smash it - but this is an ENORMOUS and very tough challenge! We are so grateful for all of the effort this will take and are roaring you on! THANK YOU SO MUCH TREMENDOUS TRIO!
If you’re able, PLEASE donate to help these Leopard Print Army LEGENDS peddle all those miles HERE
As discussed in this episode, anyone can join in The Big ADHD Fundraiser 2026 to help raise funds for ADHDAF+ and ADHDadultUK in any way they choose…
Even I’ve ‘jumped on the bandwagon’… apparently I’M DOING A SKYDIVE NEXT WEEKEND - 3rd Oct!
…seemed like a good idea at the time, though I’m starting to question my life choices now! :/
I would be extremely grateful if you could please sponsor me to jump out of an actual plane.
No donation too small, and all gratefully received HERE and used to support our two charities supporting our community!
Joining me on the skydive is my lifelong friend Katie Doy; and though terrifying - this likely won’t be the most ridiculous thing we’ve done together over the last THIRTY SIX YEARS! Thank you so much Katie, wouldn’t be same without you! :) You can sponsor ‘The Doy’ HERE
On steadier but none the less challenging ground: Manchester ADHD Group Facilitator Gill came up with a fantastic and very fitting idea to get the miles in over for the month of October to promote movement for mental health at a time when Seasonal Affective Disorder can strike -
The Catwalk Challenge
Signed up to join Gill so far is Manchester Group Attendee Mags and her Mum Margaret.
Also stomping through October, we’ve got Swindon ADHD Group Attendee Katie with her STEP-Travaganza! Love it!
Challenging herself to get 400K steps in over ADHD Awareness Month! THANK YOU SO MUCH! You can sponsor Katie’s Step-travaganza HERE
From land to… swimming pool!
London ADHD Group Facilitator and ADHDAF+ Tech Support Ruth is swimming 11,111 metres in ADHD Awareness Month!
Geeky Roo is swimming the equivalent distance of 0.1° of latitude on the earth's surface!
Please sponsor Ruth HERE
Artist David Kirkman is donating 20% of all profits from his Unapologetic Clothing Collection - as shared in this episode.
You can purchase his wearable art for adults or children HERE and David will transfer funds HERE
THANK YOU SO MUCH DAVID!
Meanwhile in Swindon, Facilitator Jen is kindly donating all profits of her gorgeous handmade floral hoop sale items - available to purchase HERE
All people with ADHD are different. This year’s Big ADHD Fundraiser not only shows but it celebrates exactly that!
We’d love you to get involved…Simply pick your passion and turn it into a way to support our community! (Brilliant idea Beth)
THANK YOU SO MUCH JEN! Funds will be transferred to her page HERE
Save the LDAN Bill
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Kelly Given, a Scottish writer, political commentator and autistic campaigner. She is a columnist for The National and works within Scotland’s autism sector, drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience to advocate for the rights of neurodivergent people.
Kelly launched the campaign to save Scotland’s Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill, bringing together thousands of supporters, organisations and political voices to call on the Scottish Government to reconsider its decision to abandon the legislation.
You can sign Kelly's open letter to John Swinney HERE and you can watch the episode on Spotify or listen on your chosen podcast platform HERE
Cornwall, we’re on our way!
Truro ADHD Peer Support Group INCOMING!
‘I have always known that I was different! I just never knew why or what it was.
I am very aware of how isolating it feels to have ADHD. Whether you are diagnosed or not, it is not an easy world to live in having an ADHD brain.
I don’t want people to feel isolated or alone. I want them to feel empowered and have more knowledge about their ADHD.
…and I love a deep chat!’
- ADHDAF+ Facilitator Sophie
We are so excited to have Sophie launch our first Cornwall ADHD Group! Starting Wednesday 11th November at All Saints Truro Lifehouse, Highertown, TR1 3LD from 6:30 - 8:30pm
Sign up for ADHDAF+ Truro ADHD Group reminder emails HERE
Introducing…the first
ADHDAF+ Ambassador
‘My diagnosis made me look back at how I had always been described. I was “too much” - too emotional, too intense, too loud, too sensitive, and constantly told I could do better “if I just applied myself!”
Growing up as a South Asian woman, neurodiversity wasn’t something I saw or heard people talking about, so I never had a reason to question whether there might be an explanation for how I was. Suddenly, I was reading an incredibly accurate description of how I had felt my whole life.
I want to help open up more conversations about ADHD in women so that other women can recognise themselves in these conversations and realise they are not too much.’
- ADHDAF+ Charity Ambassador Prabjot Ragbotra
We are delighted to announce our first ADHDAF+ Ambassador Prabjot, who has gained so much from attending our Birmingham ADHD Support Group that she wanted to represent us and help get that same support out to others. THANK YOU SO MUCH PRABJOT!
If you’d like to be an ADHDAF+ Ambassador we’d love to hear from you HERE but also we’re…
Desperately Seeking Skills
Alongside a call out for Ambassadors, we are looking for a volunteer with proven grant or bid writing experience who can help us research, craft, and submit funding proposals. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or someone with solid experience who wants to donate a few hours to a cause close to your heart, your words could unlock the resources we need to thrive.
As we grow, we want to ensure our work remains sustainable and accessible to everyone who needs it. Can you help?
Please email: enquiries@adhdafplus.org.uk
My Most ADHD Thing…
I’m signing off the way we start our ADHD Peer Support Groups by answering the infamous ADHD AF Podcast Question….
The Most ADHD Thing I’ve done this week is genuinely keep forgetting that I’m jumping out of a plane next weekend!
In part I think something so enormous slipping my mind is because (as you’ve read) there’s so much going on! From being shortlisted for Charity of the Year, promoting ADHD Groups in FIFTEEN locations, and trying to get the word out about The Big ADHD Fundraiser and ADHDAF Day …I’m sharing other people’s upcoming challenges to get them sponsored, but haven’t thought to be doing it for my skydive as I genuinely keep forgetting it’s happening! Wishful thinking perhaps! :)
You can imagine the shock every time I look at my calendar and see SKYDIVE scheduled in! But it is for two very good causes providing invaluable work for our community - so whilst I actually remember, please sponsor me HERE
- even just a couple of quid if you have any spare… I’m scared. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Thanks so much for reading
and for all of your support!
Please know that if you are struggling
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Please reach out for help via our
list of resources HERE.
Laura x
