ADD-NI Children's Charity
2023- 2024
AGM Report
DD-NI
Children's Charity
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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.