The ADD-vantage was born from the impact of my own late diagnosis of ADHD, and that of my then 16-year-old daughter. Although I was aware I struggled with attention and knew I could be impulsive, I did not suspect that I had ADHD largely because my son was diagnosed at 10 years old, and I was ‘nothing like him!’. He had been my measure of what it was to have the condition.

All the evidence supports that best outcomes for those with ADHD are achieved with early identification and targeted support. Living with undiagnosed and unsupported ADHD can be very damaging. Many internalise their ADHD symptoms and their challenges in education / the workplace is masked (hidden) from those who might be observing, because we just want to ‘fit’. As a result, we have low self-esteem, we under achieve, we develop mental health conditions or fall into risky behaviours. I am passionate about using my experience to help girls and women in particular grow into their symptoms and learn to see ADHD as a strength, fuelling their drive and success.

The ADD-vantage works to support girls and women to live well with ADHD through awareness, advocacy, education, coaching and creating community.

We envisage a world where:

1. everyone has a true understanding of the nature of ADHD, and how the female experience can be different from the ‘expected’ presentation

2. girls and women with ADHD receive the early targeted support that they need to flourish, and where they access the same opportunities as their peers

3. girls and women with ADHD can embrace their strengths and qualities to thrive and grow into the best versions of themselves.

We already facilitate a community of ADHD women in Hertfordshire, and now we want to extend our support to girls with ADHD at secondary school through ‘The Bridging Project’. This is a psycho-education and lived experience mentoring programme for girls with ADHD by women with ADHD who have found ways of living well with their differences.

Your donation will directly support:

• Mentor training

• One-to-one mentoring sessions

• Production of mentoring materials

• Mentee resources

• Skill-building and psycho-education sessions

• Support for the families of the mentees

Every contribution will make a difference:

£20 – provides a mentor’s resources kit for their sessions one to one sessions

£25 - provides materials for sensory soothing pouches for mentees

£35 – covers safeguarding training for one mentor

£60 - funds one mentoring session

£70 - covers one supervision session for mentors

£80 – covers one enhanced DBS check for prospective mentors

£100 – covers one group session of psychoeducation

£150 -covers one parent support group

£500 – covers the ADHD training for one mentor

£1000 -covers one person’s accredited mentor training

Together, we can help these brave, bold and bright girls reach their full potential.

Donate now and share this campaign to make a lasting impact!