Across the UK, ADHD is increasingly recognised as a significant national issue. For many adults, the journey to understanding and receiving support for ADHD is long and challenging. Waiting lists for assessments can stretch for years, access to tailored support remains limited, and neuro-affirming services are still not widely available.
For those navigating this uncertainty, the impact can be profound. Emotional wellbeing, confidence, employment, and everyday life can all be affected when people are left without the understanding or support they need.
At Barnet Mencap, we see these challenges first-hand through the people who come to us for information, guidance, and connection. That’s why we’re proud to share an important step forward taken by our Information and Advice Team, who recently developed and submitted a bid for the North Central London (NCL) ADHD Peer Support Service tender.
A Service Built Around Lived Experience
The proposed service focuses on providing neuro-affirming, needs-led peer support for adults who are waiting for an ADHD assessment.
For many people, the waiting period can be isolating and confusing. This service aims to bridge that gap by offering practical and emotional support while individuals are on the waiting list.
The model centres on:
- Supporting emotional wellbeing
- Helping people prepare for their ADHD assessment
- Reducing isolation and stigma
- Building confidence and self-management strategies
At the heart of the approach is co-production and lived experience. By working closely with people who understand ADHD from personal experience, the service aims to create meaningful, relatable support that truly reflects the needs of the community.
Strengthening Support Across the System
If successful, this tender would enable Barnet Mencap to significantly expand our support for adults with ADHD across North Central London.
It would allow us to reach people earlier in their journey—providing connection, guidance, and reassurance during the long wait for assessment. It would also strengthen our role as a trusted, neuro-affirming provider, helping to shape services and improve outcomes for people who are currently underserved.
Beyond individual support, the service would contribute to wider system change by building stronger partnerships, influencing service design, and helping ensure that the voices of people with lived experience are heard.
Looking Ahead
The tender process has now concluded, and we are currently awaiting the outcome.
While we don’t yet know the result, we are incredibly proud of the work that has gone into developing this bid. It reflects the dedication of our team and our ongoing commitment to improving support for adults with ADHD.
Whatever the outcome, we remain committed to advocating for better, more accessible services and ensuring that people across our communities receive the understanding and support they deserve.
