A support group on the brink of collapse a few months ago has been saved thanks to a series of generous contributions.
Perth and Kinross ADHD Support Group faced a bleak future as it struggled to cope in straitened financial times and increasing demand for its services, catering for children and teenagers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Businessman Kenny Simpson stepped in to provide an office and rooms for the group and this was closely followed by three-year funding received from charitable organisation The Gannochy Trust.
A one-off payment from Perth and Kinross Council brought funding to £40,000 and there is the promise of a further sum from NHS Tayside, leaving the group financially secure for the time being.
Group co-ordinator Sheenagh McIntyre said, “We are constantly looking for future funding to meet not only our current commitments but the increasing demands on our services.
“We are acutely aware that we are only meeting a small percentage of Perth and Kinross’ sufferers and their families needs as is demonstrated by a not insubstantial waiting list.
“We have delivered a range of support services over the past nine years but, as yet, have been unable to secure a service level agreement with Perth and Kinross Council, nor have we received regular funding from NHS Tayside both of which would alleviate most of the group’s immediate funding issues and worries and enable our staff to deliver the service both youngsters and families have asked for.
“The benefits of a group such as ours in Perth and Kinross are clear and the work we do is tremendously rewarding.”
The group was started in 2002 by parents disillusioned by the lack of facilities, services and support for their ADHD youngsters. It now has two part-time and five sessional staff as well as volunteers. They deal with the growing number of children suffering ADHD, a brain imbalance characterised by symptoms such as impulsiveness, hyperactivity, inattention, disorganisation and low self-esteem.
The Perth and Kinross group is the only one in Scotland to offer tangible services as well as information and support. It runs a Duke of Edinburgh Awards Youth Group, befriending and family worker services and helps with advocacy, education, health and welfare issues.
Agnes Walls, the group’s befriender and youth group leader, said, “ADHD can be immensely isolating, and has affects on the whole family, not just the sufferer themselves.
“Sometimes just the chance for parents to meet and chat to others in the same situation as them can help to alleviate these feelings, and also pick up some parenting tips and make friends.”