ADD-NI Children's Charity 2023- 2024 AGM Report DD-NI Children's Charity ',tit)
Chairpersons Annual Report March 2024 A Chairperson'5 report provides an opportunity to reflect on the past year; matters progressed, goals realised and further re-assessment of what it has done correctly and review what was not achieved. The Board of Trustees along with myself have recently completed this. We continue to feel the responsibility of our roles and count it a privilege to undertake and serve in such a way. The enonnity of needs within our community for children, young people and their families coping with ADHD on a daily basis does mean our work is far from complete. Over the last year, our BOT has continued to battle the challenges that l am certain every charity meets in the current fmancial climate. ADDNI has always committed itself to providing the best evidence based practice, early intervention services it can. We are pleased to note the continued high throuJo ) output of individuals. parents and families we have been able to actively assist with our different programmes delivered throughout Northern Ireland over the last year. ADDNI continue to collaborate and build relationships with previous and new funders of our work in the public and private sector alike. With a view to securing ADDNI'S long terni security in the immediate and long-tenn future. Lastly, I would like to fulty acknowledge the continued and untiring work of our CEO, who continues to lead the organisation and the staff team in such a shifting sand of finances and variable circumstances. which present themselves on a day-by-day basis. We know that next year, may be challenging but we hope that it will bring continued improvements and better outcomes for our young people, adults and families alike. Kevin Kelly Chairperson
ADDNI continues to provide specialised ADHD services to children, young people and famiLies aLL across Nl. We continue to build on our existing relationships with schooLs and family centres throughout Nl, widening our reach and enabling us to support thousands of individuals and famiLies affected by ADHD. This has been yet another busy year for ADD-NI. Our Youth Committee remain active and are heavily involved in the development and design of our services. Through this year muLtipLe MLA'S have been asking questions regarding issues affecting the ADHD community, incLuding waiting lists for children, young people and aduLts, the need for commissioning of an ADHD service within the 5 Local HSCTS and a an overaLL Lack of support for this community. We have been abLe to host a number of successfuL AduLt and Parent Support Meetings throughout the year. providing support to over 300 individuals and famiLies across Nl. We have had the pLeasure of of continuing and expanding our links with muLtipLe schooLs across Nl working with over 150 young people in school across this year. .We were honoured to have to have been selected as BeLfast SchooL Of Performing Arts Charity of the yearl We have been delighted to have the support of BSPA. as well as aLL of their families and young people. As Secretariate for the AGP for ADHD it is vitaL that issues affecting those with ADHD are to the forefront of the pubLics minds. We are acuteLy aware of the issues the ADHD popuLation in Nl have been experiencing. Its not ok for children. young peopLe. famiLies & aduLts with ADHD to be Left on waiting Lists for years at a time, without access to medication or support. Over the past number of years ADD-NI have been working tirelessLy and we are excited to see changes to the current situation.
During this year there have been major issues for the ADHD community with regards to the worLd wide suppLy of ADHD medication. ThankfuLLy as we come to the end of this reporting period the issues appear to have lessened but are not entireLy resolved. due to the fact Drs are now prescribing alternative medications, thus putting extra pressures on different medications - spreading the problem. .ADD-Nl wouLd like to thank Maria from Kamakura Sushi & Ramen East for putting on a fantastic afternoon in her restaurant for some of ADD-NI'S young people. families and staffl We had a wonderfuL afternoon with delicious food and brilliant companyl If you are anywhere near the Holywood Road make sure you stop at Kamakura! UnfortunateLy it is a dire situation across the board regarding ADHD in Nl. for chiLdren. adults and famiLies. Diagnosis should not take up to 5 years for a chiLd. be trust dependant'severaL years. for an adult, those affected by ADHD shouLd not be subjected to a post code lottery and access to medication should not be something that is made so difficuLt. ADHD should be a mandated service across the board. As we embark on another year. we at ADD-NI WILL be facing exceptionaL chaLLenges in the year ahead. However we remain committed to ensuring and securing the sustained growth of ADD- Nl. We know the necessity to continue to further develop and consolidate our services across Nl with their proven positive outcomes of enhanced resiLience. great LeveL of coping skiLLs and the impLimentation of increased effective strategies.