Pride, The Big ADHD Fundraiser, and the BBC
There’s so much exciting news to share that I don’t know how I’m going to fit it all into one blog. Like many ADHDers, I struggle with choice paralysis and prioritisation, so at least not knowing where to start is nothing new! :)
Alongside Manchester ADHD Support Group Facilitator Gill and I, the above photo features a striking mural of the legendary Lily Savage, proudly watching over the city’s iconic Gay Village. Created by acclaimed street artist Akse P19, this powerful piece of public art serves as a celebration of Paul O’Grady's fearless impact on queer culture and the UK drag scene.
The purpose of my Manchester trip is one of ADHDAF+ Charity’s MANY glimmers of the last month, in which we facilitated thirteen free in-person ADHD Peer Support Groups to connect and empower ADHD adults of marginalised genders - so let’s start there…
Hi I’m Laura, Founder and CEO of ADHDAF+ Charity.
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 peer support community and three UK Tours.
The ADHD AF Podcast Community and Live Events both inspired the creation of - and continue to inform the work of this Charity.
The BBC
I went to Manchester this week to be interviewed by BBC North West, who filmed the intro of this month’s session, whilst Gill and several attendees were also interviewed to highlight the work of our four ADHD adult Peer Support Groups in the North West.
I am obviously elated to have this exposure for our charity in order to signpost people in need to our free ADHD Support Groups(!) but on a personal level, I was deeply moved to meet Manchester attendees. As one of our longest running ADHD groups, this lovely bunch of legends have formed a really supportive community.
Many took the time to tell me how much this group means to them. To witness first hand that our work is working means the absolute world! Gill (like all of our facilitators) has done an incredible job connecting and empowering like-minded locals, and it was a privilege and a joy to see her in action!
THANK YOU SO MUCH GILL!
Take a sneak peek behind the scenes of the BBC filming at ADHDAF+ Manchester HERE
We’re extremely grateful to BBC North West, Dr Helen Wall, Gill and the attendees who shared how our Manchester ADHD group has helped them, alongside their experiences of ADHD and perimenopause as part of a feature on our new Trustee Helen and her fantastic book ‘ADHD and Menopause’ which will air later this month.
BIG NEWS!
Having announced in the previous blog that Dr Helen Wall was our first new Trustee, we are honoured and so excited to announce our second…
Welcoming the wonderful Abigail Agyei-Jones MBE to ADHDAF+ Board of Trustees.
We know that Abigail’s experience and skills will be an absolute asset to our charity.
Photo taken at Abigail’s live interview in the ADHDAF Emporium Tent at Flackstock Festival ‘24 by Dopamine & Daydreams.
‘As a Black woman with ADHD and Dyspraxia, I've spent a lot of my life navigating spaces that weren't built with people like me in mind and ADHDAF+ has been one of the few that genuinely felt like it was.
Through the ADHD AF podcast, its events that I've spoken at and supported, and the wider community it has built, I've experienced first-hand what it means to be in a space where the intersection of ADHD, gender and lived experience is taken seriously rather than treated as an afterthought.
I want to give back to a community that has given me belonging…
…Beyond the personal, I believe deeply in what ADHDAF+ stands for.
It is amazing what ADHDAF+ does to support communities across Scotland, England and Wales - and doing so with authenticity, care and lived expertise at its core.
That work matters, and as the organisation grows, the strength of its governance and the diversity of its Board will be central to protecting what makes it special.
I want to bring what I have to that table. I bring lived experience as a Black woman with ADHD professional experience in strategy, place-based community work and influencing at Save the Children UK. I bring governance experience from Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham, Transport for London's Independent Disability Advisory Group, and the UK Young Academy, where I've contributed to strategic oversight, EDI-led decision-making and accountability to the communities these organisations serve.
Most of all, I want to contribute to ADHDAF+'s next chapter. As neurodiversity moves further into public consciousness; organisations like ADHDAF+ will face both opportunity and pressure to grow without losing their soul, to professionalise without becoming inaccessible, to scale without abandoning the very people they were built for. I'd love to help hold that line as a Trustee, and to support ADHDAF+ in continuing to be first and foremost a safe space for our beautiful ADHD community.’ -Abigail Agyei-Jones MBE
…it’s a teary eyed standing ovation from me! THANK YOU SO MUCH ABIGAIL! All of us at ADHDAF+ are grateful and extremely lucky to have you join our Board!
You may have already guessed that our two new Trustees have come at a time when we are saying goodbye to a Board Member.
We are sad to see Sohayla Worth step down from her position as ADHDAF+ Secretary, but we couldn’t be happier for the reason… Our Sohayla is expecting twins!
Sohayla has been invaluable in helping us launch ADHDAF+. We will always be extremely grateful for all of her hard work and support these last couple of years since applying to start a charity.
CONGRATULATIONS on your two upcoming arrivals Sohayla; we will miss you and can’t say THANK YOU enough!
This Month’s Group GLIMMERS
“ADHDAF+ Charity has connected 122 ADHD adults at our free Peer Support Groups in 13 different locations in Scotland and England this month!”
Kicking things off with three groups on one night…
All attendees in Ayr, Scotland who completed this month’s group feedback form selected ‘strongly agree’ to:
- Feeling more connected to the ADHD community
- Feeling more confident in managing or supporting themselves with ADHD Masking
- Feeling empowered in understanding their own ADHD better after this month’s session
AMAZING WORK BETH! Thank you!
You can join Beth’s next Ayr ADHD Group: 6.30 - 8.30 pm on Tuesday 7th July at 48 Newmarket Street, KA7 1LR.
Sign up for Ayr ADHD Support Group reminder emails HERE
(You can also sponsor Beth in the Big ADHD Fundraiser 2026 HERE - but I’ll come back to that!)
Meanwhile in Birmingham…Lizzee’s attendees reported:
‘I enjoyed meeting people and hearing experiences, differences and similarities’
‘This group really changed my mood today for the better. It’s great to connect to people going through the same!’
‘The highlight was seeing and being around other people with ADHD in a non judgmental space. Keep it up, I really enjoyed it!’
INCREDIBLE WORK LIZEE! Thank you!
Come along to our next Birmingham ADHD Support Group: 7-9pm on Tuesday 7th July at Stryx JQ, 90 Vyse St, B18 6JZ.
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Birmingham Support Group reminder emails HERE
I have to share a screenshot of this feedback form response from Jen’s second Swindon ADHD Support Group…
That speaks for itself! Thank you Jen, for growing and nurturing such an incredible community in such a short space of time!
Join Jen’s next Swindon ADHD Group: 7-9pm on Tuesday 7th July at Little Grazey, 114 Victoria Rd, SN1 3BH
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Swindon Support Group reminder emails HERE
The following night we facilitated our Runcorn and Cambridge ADHD Support Groups…
‘This was my first time attending so it was a huge eye opener for me having a bunch of people feeling the same, and having similar struggles with their journey so far, and Gemma was welcoming and wonderful!’ - Runcorn ADHD Group Attendee, 03.06.26
GEMMA, YOU LEGEND! Thank you!
Come to Gemma’s next Runcorn ADHD Group: 6:30-8:30pm on Wednesday 8th July at Murdishaw Community Centre, Barnfield Ave, Murdishaw, WA7 6JW
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Runcorn Support Group reminder emails HERE
Meanwhile, here’s two very happy attendees at Donnie’s Cambridge ADHD Group; with another sharing;
‘I'm really grateful that this group exists. Thank you!’
ALL OF US ARE REALLY GRATEFUL DONNIE!
Come along to Donnie’s next Cambridge ADHD Group: 7-9pm on Wednesday 1st July at Unity Centre, (Blossom Room)
Pathfinder Way, CB24 1FD
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Cambridge Support Group reminder emails HERE
The following evening Kate, who is also our Group Coordinator facilitated her Bristol ADHD Group:
“For the first time, I felt like I truly belonged. Every comment and experience shared by others resonated with me, and it was incredibly validating to realise that I’m not alone in the way I think and experience the world.
At the start of my “what’s wrong with me?” journey, I was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and work-related stress, and attended some support groups. After one session, I stopped going because I knew that wasn’t what I was experiencing.
This group felt completely different. I felt understood, connected, and reassured that what I’ve struggled with for years finally makes sense.”
HOW AMAZING IS THAT! Thank you for all of your hard work Kate!
Join Kate at her next Bristol ADHD Support Group on Thursday 2nd, 7-9pm at The Loft (3rd Floor) Tobacco Factory, BS3 1TF
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Bristol Support Group reminder emails HERE
On the same night, Ruth ‘Geeky Roo’ facilitated her London ADHD Group… at which one attendee could only make the last 20 minutes of the session, but benefited greatly from even just that short time connecting with like-minded locals.
Not only does it show the importance of peer support, it also serves as a reminder that you never have to be on time for our groups. You are very welcome to arrive and leave whenever you like!
THAT’S SO AMAZING RUTH! Thank you for all of your hard work running this group and tech support behind the scenes!
Join Ruth at her next London ADHD Support Group at 6:30-8:30pm on Thursday 2nd July at Almorah Road Community Centre, 58 Almorah Rd, N1 3EU
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD London Support Group reminder emails HERE
(You can also sponsor Ruth in the Big ADHD Fundraiser 2026 HERE - but I’ll get to that shortly!)
On the same night; Tina’s Chester ADHD Group attendees highlighted:
‘Discovering that others are facing the same challenges in the workplace’
‘Feeling hopeful that I’ll make more friendships through the group’
‘I now know that I’m not the only one and don’t have to struggle alone.’
INCREDIBLE WORK TINA! Thank you!
Join Tina at her next Chester ADHD Support Group at 6:30-8:30pm on Thursdsay 2nd July at Rainbow Tearooms, 28 Bridge St, CH1 1NQ
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Chester Support Group reminder emails HERE
Our fourth group of that night was facilitated by Eve at her Hemel Hempstead ADHD Support Group.
THANKS SO MUCH EVE!
Join Eve at her next session: Thursday 2nd July, 7-9pm at St Johns Hall, Station Road, HP1 1JY
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Hemel Hempstead Support Group reminder emails HERE.
Our second week of ADHD Support Groups began in Manchester - and as I’ve already shared all about this month’s very special session - here’s a photo of a symbolic sculpture, serendipitously stationed very close to our Manchester City Centre group.
‘Rise Up Women’ depicts Manchester born, Emmeline Pankhurst, the legendary leader of the British suffragette movement.
Artist Hazel Reeves, unveiled this masterpiece in December 2018 to mark 100 years since women first won the right to vote in the UK.
‘Deeds not words’ was the official motto of the Women’s Social and Political Union, which Pankhurst founded in Manchester in 1903.
Building ADHDAF+ and facilitating 80 support groups in a single year wasn't just about creating a charity - it was about creating a physical network of survival across the UK. We took the words shared on ADHD AF Podcast and in its online community and channelled our collective experiences into deeds. We didn’t just talk about the systemic failures of ADHD support - we physically built a solution ourselves. This movement is the ultimate modern manifestation of Pankhurst's motto (in leopard print!)
Join Gill at the next ADHD Manchester Session on Wednesday 8th July 7-9m at Friends’ Meeting House, 6 Mount St, M2 5NS
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Manchester Support Group reminder emails HERE.
On the same evening, Kirsty facilitated her Oxford ADHD Support Group which was enjoyed by all and attended by the Founders of The Big ADHD Fundraiser: Darren and Claire Smith! - I promise I am almost there with sharing this years info, hold tight! :)
THANK YOU SO MUCH KIRSTY!
Unfortunately this group is pausing for the next couple of months, but it will be coming back ASAP!
Be the first to hear when our ADHDAF+ ADHD Oxford Support Group returns by signing up for reminder emails HERE
As you can see, a fabulous time was had at June’s Edinburgh ADHD Support Group, facilitated by Maz.
One attended shared her glimmer of the session as:
‘The general sense of finally being understood’
AMAZING WORK MAZ!
Unfortunately, due to our venue being used as part of Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this group is paused until September.
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Edinburgh Support Group reminder emails HERE
We conclude this monumental month with Paula’s Blackpool ADHD Support Group.
It is wonderful to watch this group flourish! THANK YOU PAULA!
As a personal glimmer, not only is it lovely to see ADHDAF+ Trustee Aishley attend this group to gain peer support with her late ADHD diagnosis - but in particular the face she pulled in this selfie at the session!
‘CRACKING CHEESE, GROMIT!’ :)
Join Paula at her next ADHD Blackpool Group on Thursday 9th July 7-9m at Aunty Social, 28 Topping St, FY1 3AQ
Sign up for ADHDAF+ ADHD Blackpool Support Group reminder emails HERE
We hope you’ll smile like Aish when leaving your local ADHDAF+ ADHD Peer Support Group! :) …And if we haven’t started one near you yet, you can apply to volunteer to start your own HERE
July Support Groups on ADHD Motivation
You can find out full details and sign up for email reminders HERE
The focus topic for all 11 July ADHD Support Groups is ADHD Motivation… which was one of the first focus topics we introduced to our sessions!
In due course we will introduce more new topics than those we’ve covered; but it’s also important to revisit each one. Not only for new attendees who missed the previous - but also for any attendees who were part of this prior group discussion - in order to reflect on how far we have all come in the year since - and to acknowledge and share what has helped them with that aspect of their ADHD.
You can listen to the episode: ADHD & Motivation - What Motivates You? on ADHD AF on Spotify HERE or wherever you usually get your Podcasts - recorded in July 2025, way back when we’d only been facilitating ADHD Groups four months, and I hadn’t switched over to video podcasting yet! How times have changed! :)
We hope you will join the conversation with other local ADHD adults at one of our July groups.
“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 HERE plus more information about Our Story, an overview on our Home page, plus Testimonials and Press, and new ways you can Support Us, including Corporate Sponsorship Packages. Perhaps your place of work or business might like to help fund a local group?
OR perhaps you would like to DONATE or TAKE PART in this year’s VERY…
Big ADHD Fundraiser!
Changing things up
for its fourth year...
is using all ‘four elements’ and inviting EVERYONE along for the ride
to start their own fundraisers over
ADHD Awareness Month:
Oct ‘26 for two
ADHD Charities: ADHDAF+ and ADHDadultUK
Find out more HERE
Here’s what our team are launching with -
EARTH: LEGENDS from 2025s cycle: Steph, Beth & Micky are riding again: from Newcastle to Ayr, 200miles in just 2 days!
You can SPONSOR The Tremendous Trio HERE
AIR: I’m jumping out of a plane, Tandem Skydiving at 13,000 feet! :/
You can SPONSOR me HERE (Pleeeease)
WATER: ADHDAF+ London Support Group Facilitator 'Geeky Roo’ - Ruth is swimming a magic number: 11,111 meters in her local pool over the months of October!
You can SPONSOR Ruth HERE
FIRE: Artist David Kirkman’s ’garms are FIRE!’ :) He’s donating 20% of each sale of his Neurodivergent clothing! More info on the Unapologetic collection page HERE
You can JOIN OUR TEAM by starting your own event for The Big ADHD Fundraiser 2026 HERE
You can listen to the brand new episode wherever you usually get your podcasts or watch the video on Spotify HERE
Featuring 2 conversations with some absolute LEGENDS doing amazing things to help the ADHD community including our Beth, Steph, Micky, Ruth; also AuDHD Artist David Kirkman - plus a surprise cameo and some VERY well timed foghorns! :)
All of us at both charities would be extremely grateful for your support - no donation too small - Just £3 pays for one person to attend an ADHDAF+ Support Group! Any fundraising activities you’d like to start as part of our team to make this years Big ADHD Fundraiser the biggest yet VERY MUCH APPRECIATED to raise all we can to support our community in ADHD Awareness Month.
And from one very important month to another…
Neuroqueer Pride
We are halfway through Pride month, and we want to not only celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, but to also raise crucial Neuroqueer awareness with some data and resources…
Did you know that:
Queer people are more likely to be neurodivergent
In a study of 82,000+ university students ADHD prevelance was:
7.5% among herterosexual students compared to 14.5% among sexual monority students - almost double!
Gender-diverse people are especially likely to report ADHD
The same study found an 8% ADHD prevalence among cisgender students, compared to a massive 23% among gender minority students - that is nearly 1 in 4!
I discovered these findings in THIS POST by the amazing Catieosaurus - Cate Osborn, who went on to say:
‘If you’re queer and neurodivergent, you’re not the only one. The intersection isn’t unusual. You are part of a much larger community than you might realise. At a time when identity is being politicised with legislation targetting LGBTQIA+ individuals, it is desperately important that we stand together to support our fellow community members and remember that you are never, ever alone.’
Alongside this, I also want to echo a crucial sentiment circulating on socials: Can we make Pride less about 'Love is Love' and more about safety, survival, and basic human rights this year?
We must shift the focus onto the cold realities: the terrifying rise in hate crimes, the dismantling of gender-affirming healthcare, and the actual physical safety of queer and neurodivergent people just trying to exist in public spaces.
It is essential we reject performative corporate allyship and demand deeds, not just words.
The LGBTQIA+ community is always welcome and safe at our ADHD Peer Support Groups. If you are looking for external advice, identity-specific spaces, or mental health support, here are some incredible resources:
- Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline: 0800 0119 100 (Free, confidential support open daily 10am–10pm)
- LGBT Foundation: 0345 330 3030 (Helpline open weekdays 9am–6pm)
- MindOut:Click here for their LGBTQ+ Online Chat Support(Confidential instant messaging service)
CJ De Barra is a queer, neurodivergent, non-binary author and journalist. They are the author of the book Neuroqueer: A Neurodivergent Guide to Love, Sex and Everything in Between and the founder of the Notts Queer History Project.
In their amazing book, CJ DeBarra sheds light on the alarmingly low diagnosis rates for women, transgender individuals, and non-binary individuals, urging readers to advocate for improved healthcare.
I sat down with CJ to create a special 10-minute micro-episode of ADHD AF focusing on Neuro-Queer Allyship and Neurodivergent Dating - in particular, exploring vital dating safety tips for ADHDers.
You can listen to this mini-episode on Spotify HERE or dive into our full-length conversation, ADHD & LGBTQIA+ Pride, HERE (or look for ADHD AF on your preferred podcast platform!)
Finally, I just wanted to let you know there are only a few free tickets left for our first Live Event as a Charity. If you’d like to be at the ADHD Easy Target Pilot on Sunday 6th September in Wakefield - grab one of the remaining tickets HERE.
I can’t believe I actually managed to fit all of our news in! :)
So…what is your passion? Why not use it to join in with The Big ADHD Fundraiser 2026…
