Organisation which transforms the lives of children and young people with ADHD across Harborough has seen a 100 per cent spike in people asking them for help and advice

An organisation which transforms the lives of children and young people with ADHD across Harborough is putting out an urgent SoS.

Set up in 2006, ADHD Solutions is currently helping over 270 families throughout the district.

And that number is rising all the time under the Covid-19 lockdown.

They have seen an incredible 100 per cent spike in people asking them for help and advice over this time last year.

But funding is plummeting as the dedicated set-up loses out on thousands of pounds during the coronavirus crisis.

Tony Delve, 44, is an ADHD Specialist Coach for ADHD Solutions.

“We are seeing and supporting more youngsters, young people and their families than ever before.

“But now we need people out there in Harborough to help us,” said Tony, who lives in Market Harborough.

“We would normally beef up the little funding we receive by providing training and services to schools.

“We clearly haven’t been able to do that while schools have been locked down.

“We’ve been hit by a 50 per cent drop in funding – and that’s catastrophic.

“Our staff have gone on to a four-day week to save money – when we are so much in demand that we could be working round the clock seven days a week.

“So we are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain a vital service to the community just when we are needed most.”

ADHD Solutions, based in Leicester, has now launched an online gofundme campaign in a desperate bid to plug the yawning cash gap.

“The lockdown has been very tough.

“But we are being very creative in helping people through Zoom calls and new technology.

“It’s been good in a way as we’ve had to diversify how we operate.

“We should now be putting together our summer activity programme so we’ll have to act quickly as restrictions ease,” said Tony, who also works with the 1st Bowdens Scout Group.

“The lockdown has compounded the situation for children with ADHD and made it worse.

“It’s much harder for them at home rather than staying on task at school – and their daily routines have been ripped apart.

“So it’s very tricky for parents as they try to manage their lives and home school children who find it hard to concentrate.

“These young people are suffering anxiety and low self-esteem.

“They are battling inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

“It’s absolutely all-important that we work with them and their families as well as teachers to tackle these challenges.

“We want to empower parents, reduce conflict within families and make them more secure.

“And it’s vital for society as a whole as well as the individuals affected that we continue to carry out our work and training,” said the dad-of-three.

“So please help us out if you can at this most critical time in our 14-year history.

“We very much appreciate all of your support.”

You can donate to help ADHD Solutions hit their £50,000 target here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/adhd-solutions-sosAnd you can find out more about ADHD Solutions on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDSolutionsUK/