ADHD Support Groups UK: Finding Your People

You Do Not Have to Do This Alone

One of the most isolating things about ADHD is feeling like you are the only person who thinks this way, struggles this way, or experiences the world this way. And then you walk into a room full of other ADHD adults and suddenly everything changes. The relief of hearing someone else describe exactly what you experience, the laughter of shared recognition, the absence of judgement. It is genuinely powerful.

Whether you prefer in-person meetings, online communities, or something in between, there are ADHD support groups across the UK that can provide the connection, understanding, and practical advice that make living with ADHD significantly easier.

National ADHD Organisations

ADHD UK (adhduk.co.uk)

The largest ADHD charity in the UK. They offer:

• Online support groups (regular Zoom meetings)
• Peer support programmes
• Information and resources
• Advocacy and campaigning for better ADHD services

ADHD Foundation (adhdfoundation.org.uk)

Based in Liverpool but operates nationally. They provide:

• Support groups for adults, parents, and young people
• Training for professionals
• Neurodiversity resources
• Annual Neurodiversity Week events

ADDISS (addiss.co.uk)

The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service. They offer:

• Information packs and resources
• Signposting to local support groups
• Professional training

AADD-UK (aadduk.org)

Specifically for adults with ADHD. They provide:

• Online forums and support groups
• Information about adult ADHD
• Links to local services

Online ADHD Communities

Online communities are particularly valuable for ADHD adults because they are accessible anytime, require less executive function than attending in-person meetings, and can be engaged with in short bursts.

A word of caution about online communities: Social media ADHD content is generally helpful for connection and recognition, but not all of it is accurate. If you read something that concerns you or conflicts with what a professional has told you, check it against reliable sources like NICE guidelines, NHS information, or ask your clinician.

Finding Local Support Groups

Local, in-person support groups offer something online communities cannot: face-to-face connection, local knowledge, and the particular comfort of being in a room with people who understand.

How to Find Local Groups

• ADHD UK has a directory of support groups on their website
• ADHD Foundation runs groups in several cities
• Your GP may know of local groups
• Local Mind branches sometimes run neurodiversity groups
• Search Meetup.com for ADHD groups in your area
• Facebook: search for "[your city] ADHD" groups
• Ask at your ADHD assessment clinic: many recommend local groups

What to Expect at a Support Group

If you have never attended a support group, it is natural to feel nervous. Here is what most ADHD groups look like:

• Informal and welcoming: most are run by people with ADHD who understand the anxiety of showing up
• No pressure to speak: you can listen until you feel comfortable
• Shared experiences: topics range from medication to relationships to work struggles
• Practical tips: members share what works for them
• Understanding: nobody will judge you for being late, forgetting something, or fidgeting

Groups by Region

Many regions have their own ADHD support networks. Some examples:

• London: ADHD London, London ADHD Support Group
• Manchester: Manchester ADHD Support Network
• Birmingham: Birmingham ADHD Adults
• Derby and East Midlands: Check ADHD UK's directory, and of course, my own mentoring services are based here
• Scotland: ADHD Scotland
• Wales: ADHD Cymru
• Northern Ireland: ADHD NI

This is not an exhaustive list. New groups start regularly, and the best way to find current groups is through the national organisations listed above.

Starting Your Own Group

If there is nothing in your area, you could start one. It does not need to be complicated:

• A monthly meeting at a local cafe
• A WhatsApp group for your area
• A virtual Zoom meeting for people in your region

ADHD UK and ADHD Foundation can provide guidance and resources for people wanting to start local groups.

The Difference Between Support Groups and Professional Support

Support groups are wonderful for connection, validation, and shared practical wisdom. But they are not a replacement for professional support. They are a complement to it.

The ideal combination for many people is professional support alongside peer connection. They serve different needs, and both are valuable.

You Deserve Community

ADHD can be isolating. The shame, the masking, the fear of being "too much" or "not enough," these things push us into hiding. But the ADHD community is one of the warmest, most understanding, and funniest communities I have ever encountered. Finding your people can genuinely change your relationship with your own brain.

If you want personalised support alongside community connection, book a free discovery call. Having both peer support and professional mentoring is the combination that makes the biggest difference.