In 2002 my son was diagnosed with ADHD shortly after he started primary school and found the school environment extremely challenging.  I soon learnt that this neuro developmental condition was hugely complex and realised that children with ADHD will only be able to develop and fulfil their potential if they get the right support from their family, at school and in their local community. 

As a starting point I needed to learn more about the condition and also meet others with children with ADHD to share experiences.  I set up a coffee group for parents of children with ADHD in order to form a community for those whose lives where touched by the condition.  That was the start of the ADHD community that became ADHD Richmond and Kingston.  

In the last nineteen years, we have expanded our offering significantly.   We have created an offering to ensure that kids with ADHD are supported, understood and helped to negotiate daily challenges and the educational system through training courses for parents, specialist free advice to families, support communities for parents of ADHD children, seminars by expert speakers on the condition, training courses for teachers to recognise and support children with ADHD.  In addition, we also do advocacy work with the healthcare and educational statutory service providers and work closely with other voluntary services. With these free and subsidised services, we hope to limit the high numbers of pupils with ADHD being excluded from school and high number of children and teens with ADHD suffering from mental health issues and social isolation.  Importantly we want these young people to flourish and reach their potential.  

Last year we registered as a charity in order to ensure we can build a long term sustainable group.  We are now building an infrastructure to support our work.  We have achieved much but there is still lots to do.  I am raising money to support the charity and the work we do.  Any donation you make to this challenge will be greatly appreciated.  

For more information see our website www.adhdrichmond.org