A New Lancaster Community for Adults with ADHD

There are around 3 million people in the UK living with ADHD, many of whom are undiagnosed, and the majority of whom are adults over 24 years of age. ADHD is an often misunderstood condition and many adults receiving a diagnosis, or even suspecting that they have ADHD, can find navigating life confusing and frustrating.

“It’s a bit like having a really strong scouse accent – while everyone else has a really strong Glaswegian accent. Everyone speaks English but you have to think a bit more about everything you say and everything they say and it can be exhausting,” explains Nick Rosser, founder of a new casual social group ‘Basically What Happened Was ADHD’.

Nick was diagnosed with ADHD aged 20 and now, approaching 40, he’s putting those experiences to use to try to provide space for people with ADHD and other neurodivergence to come together, a space where there is understanding.

For most of his time since being diagnosed, Nick didn’t know anyone else with ADHD. “I’ve formed this group to try to combat the isolation that comes with it,” said Nick when he recently sat down with Steve Haworth from Beyond Radio to discuss this new venture. “It isn’t a formal support group, it’s forming a relaxed space, a life break. You can pop in, vent a load of stuff that’s been going on in your life, there’s no expectation. You can pop in for as little or as long as you like.”

The group meets every Tuesday morning between 9.30am and 11.30am at St John’s Hospice on Slyne Road in Lancaster. No need to book, just turn up. Stay for the whole two hours, or leave after a few minutes.

“People leave feeling that much better. Not much has necessarily changed but it’s just that little break, to reset and quiet your brain.”

ADHD can be characterised by being easily distracted or forgetful, finding it hard to organise your time, or finding it hard dot follow instructions, or finish tasks. There are many possible symptoms and if you live with ADHD you might experience one or all of them. Sometimes people focus on the ‘hyperactivity’ element, the H in ADHD, but that isn’t always present.

‘Basically What Happened Was ADHD’ also has a Facebook group, and a Whatsapp group for people not on Facebook. If you feel like popping along, just turn up.