A Typical Session

A typical session at the Glasgow ADHD Peer Support Group

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In the reminder email, sent the day before the meeting, there is a step-by-step guide to finding the room, as well as signage in the venue on the day.

 

If you want to bring someone along as a companion, we welcome that - we want you to feel as comfortable and supported as possible. They need their own ticket as we still need to manage room capacity issues; if they select a special concessionary ticket we would be very comfortable with that, as they are here purely to support you and so shouldn’t have to pay.

 

In terms of the group dynamics, it's very friendly. Some people have been coming for years, others just come once or for a period of time, e.g. when there’s a significant life event for them, when they realise that they could possibly have ADHD, or just after they have been diagnosed.

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​Numbers

The maximum size is 25 and usually around 20 people show. Collectively we have recognised and decided that this is a good number to give everyone space to be, and to talk if they want. Equally, we don't want to exclude anyone, which is why there are a number of sessions a month, to cope with demand. Make things possible is our attitude!

 

Everyone in the group is or has ADHD. It’s common that neurodivergences come as a “pack”, so many also have selections of Autism, Giftedness, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and/or Tourette's too.

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Attendees / Participants

On average around 50% of the group are new each time, although this varies widely. That's not a problem and we expect that - many come and find reassurance from just knowing that there is a community available for emergencies.

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As is common within the ADHD community, there's plenty of diversity from age to gender and sexuality; all walks of life from students, workers, retired people to un- and under-employed. Some at the earliest stage of their journey, and others having known their diagnosis for 20 and 30 years. Some just with ADHD, and others with plenty of other co-occurring conditions such as autism, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, giftedness and Tourette's.

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Format for the Evening

We start at 6pm.

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One of the more experienced hands “hosts” the session, in that they introduce themselves, and then we sit in a circle and everyone simply says hello, our first names, and what our ADHD stage is (thinking they may have ADHD, undiagnosed but quite confident or formally diagnosed, or here supporting someone else), and then we prioritise and invite newcomers to discuss what is on their mind.

 

Our host helps keep things moving, like a host at a house party, so we get through a number of topics in the evening, and 9 times out of 10 everyone who wants to speak gets a chance to do so, across all the topics discussed. Again, first timers get priority and it seems to work.

 

It may be worth noting that there’s a 5 minute “biology” break at around 7pm.

 

We wrap up at 8pm.

 

Afterwards many of the group, but not all, decamp to the Griffin pub next door, where we continue chatting and decompress. We have reserved seating there in a quiet area, and the pub serves good food for those that want, as well as a range of alcoholic and alcohol-free beverages.

 

During the Evening

For some, the single biggest thing is coming along, feeling seen and heard.

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Sometimes something comes up and people need to leave half way through. Sometimes people have other requirements on their time and also leave early. At least one of the organisers sits on the floor as they find it more comfortable than the chairs, and sometimes we have a box of fidget toys available for those that want, although the recommendation would be to bring your own, as we don’t always provide.

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Final Observation

We feel we are successful as we have 200+ members in our Community WhatsApp, which people can only join if they attend. We get plenty of repeat visitors too, a few coming to every session, many once a month but most dipping in and out.

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You do you basically - we really hope that this is a place where you can be yourself.

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