ADHD AWARENESS MONTH AT GCDA

"Growing up, fitting in was always a challenge. In school and college, I struggled to make friends and often felt like I wasn’t good enough. I was bullied, beaten up, and constantly misunderstood."

October is ADHD Awareness Month, and here at GCDA Learning, we're always looking to further understand the challenges that people face when it comes to managing their lives.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a serious public health issue, and currently affects an estimated 3 million people in the UK (623k children and 1.875m adults) according to the charity ADHDUK.

According to the same charity, people with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity that interferes with day-to-day functioning and/or development.

Our GCDA colleague Ross Aggett, who helps to manage our Kidbrooke Community Hub, was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5. He bravely offered to share his very personal story to help others who may be struggling with ADHD, and to help raise awareness of the condition. It takes real courage to step into the light in this way, and we're very proud of Ross for doing so. Thankyou Ross.

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"I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was five years old. At the time, I didn’t really understand what it meant, I just knew I was different. Growing up, fitting in was always a challenge. In school and college, I struggled to make friends and often felt like I wasn’t good enough. I was bullied, beaten up, and constantly misunderstood.

Focusing in class was nearly impossible. I was easily distracted and often disruptive, which led to being labelled as “naughty.” Even my parents didn’t fully understand ADHD it felt like they forgot I had it, which made learning and growing even harder.

One of the hardest parts of living with ADHD is being misunderstood. I often speak before I think, and that can come across as rude or inappropriate, even when I don’t mean it. This has caused problems in many jobs, where I’ve felt alienated and judged for being different.

But everything changed when I joined GCDA.

GCDA has been the most supportive and understanding organisation I’ve ever worked for. Unlike other places where I felt like I had to hide who I was, here I’ve been guided, encouraged, and accepted. The team has helped me grow in ways I never thought possible. Their support has brought out the uniqueness in me and helped me realise that I am smarter and more capable than I often believe.

ADHD comes with its challenges, but it also brings strengths. I’ve always been creative and full of ideas. In many ways, ADHD feels like a superpower it allows me to think differently, to see possibilities others might miss. GCDA has helped me harness that power and turn it into something positive.

To my team: thank you. Your patience, guidance, and belief in me have made all the difference. You’ve helped me feel seen, valued, and empowered. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited for what’s ahead."

We'd be really interested in hearing of your experiences so that we can see how we can support those with ADHD as well as we can. Please get in touch with our Head of Learning mel@gcda.org.uk if you'd like to contribute to our process.