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Woman sets up ADHD support group after diagnosis

Alice CunninghamSuffolk
Contributed Christina Reeves sits at a table with one of her hands resting on her face. She is smiling. She has long wavy brown hair and wears a pink jumper. A Christmas tree with lights on can be seen behind her and it is reflected in some French doors.Contributed
Christina Reeves was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and now helps others

A woman who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult has used her experiences to set up a new support group.

Christina Reeves from Ipswich was diagnosed several years ago, which she said gave her a better understanding of the condition and her childhood.

She retrained as an accredited ADHD coach and, after noticing a gap in support, set up ADHD Suffolk in October to help others.

Mrs Reeves stressed the condition was different for everybody and the group would be shaped by the members.

Contributed Christina Reeves sits at a table with headphones on and a laptop in front of her. She is looking to the left toward the camera and is smiling. She has one hand that holds a pen resting on her chin. She is wearing a bright pink long sleeved top.Contributed
Mrs Reeves set up ADHD Suffolk to give others support with the ADHD

She explained how she was never hyperactive as a child but struggled to concentrate in some lessons at school.

As she got older, and while working as a teacher, she noticed her marking could take a long time and found parts of the role more challenging than her colleagues.

"Prior to that, I think I was always thinking, what's wrong with me, and now I know there's nothing wrong with me, I've just got a brain that works a bit differently," she said.

According to the NHS, an estimated 2.5 million people in England have ADHD, including those without a diagnosis.

A King's College London study found greater awareness of the condition was behind surges in people asking for help in recent years.

Getty Images A doctor's notepad with the words "Diagnosis ADHD" written on itGetty Images
ADHD is a condition that affects people's behaviour, making it harder to concentrate and manage time

Mrs Reeves coaches people with the condition but felt there was still a gap to be filled to help the wider community, and so she set up ADHD Suffolk, which is free to join.

"Everybody is different... I set up ADHD Suffolk because I think it's what I would have liked to have when I was on my journey.

"While I was waiting for my diagnosis, I'd been to the doctor and that's the point at which I was really struggling and that's when I needed and wanted the support.

The group meets on the third Thursday of every month at Ipswich Sports Club on Henley Road between 17:30 and 19:00, and Mrs Reeves said there would also be guest speakers and workshops.

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