Last year the ADHD Foundation celebrated its 10thbirthday. That’s a decade of commitment to; ‘improving life chances through better understanding and management of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)’ and what a decade it has been…


The ADHD Foundation, in their own words; ‘works in partnership with individuals, families, doctors, teachers and other agencies to improve emotional well-being, educational attachment, behaviour and life chances, through a better understanding and self-management of ADHD, ASD and related learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, Irlen’s Syndrome, dyscalculia and Tourette’s Syndrome.’

They also provide training to professionals and raise awareness to bring positive change and inclusion. One of their awareness raising activities you may have noticed if you happened to be waling down Church Alley in Liverpool city centre last year…200 colourful umbrellas suspended in the air as if they were floating down from the sky!

These huge splashes of colour that were there to raise awareness and understanding and encourage discussion around ADHD and autism, and aptly called; ‘The Umbrella Project’ Each individual umbrella was personally signed by children from St Oswald’s primary school in Old Swan, and across Merseyside, many of whom have ADHD, autism and other neurodevelopment conditions.
Dr Tony Lloyd, CEO of the ADHD Foundation said; ‘ADHD and autism are ‘umbrella terms’ for a whole variety of neurodevelopment difficulties, and we want to highlight that fact and challenge the stigma of what can be ‘invisible’ disabilities. The Umbrella Project is about reminding adults – be it parents, teacher or potential employees – that young people with ADHD are other conditions possess many gifts, talents and skills to offer their communities. Their condition is not a disabler, but an enabler, a superpower!’
The work that the ADHD Foundation is incredible and so important, and The Women’s Organisation feel lucky to have been able to support them over the past year to grow under our business growth programme; New Markets 2. Dr Tony Lloyd has been working closely with Enterprise Enabler, Ali McGrath and Senior Business Adviser, Janine Hyland on growing the business and accessing finance.

Ali says; ‘We’ve helped Tony with refinancing the business and been able to secure them funding and a significant grant with First Ark to help grow the business. Janine worked with Tony on a future-proofed growth business plan to assist in setting up a separate trading company CIC to generate new revenue for charity purposes so they are secure and sustainable for the coming years.’

Over the past ten years the ADHD Foundation has grown from strength to strength and at The Women’s Organisation it has been great to support that growth. During those ten years Tony told us that; ‘The business has grown from having a £90,00 turnover in 2010 to a £700,000 turnover in 2017-18 and we now have key partnerships across all sectors as well as being the leading provider of trainings to schools in the UK.’ 


And what is Tony’s key to success? He told us it was this…

‘Innovation! And…Having multiple income streams that weather any challenges to funding. Now, as a charity we have a strong business model. In my business journey I have learnt the importance of integrity. Integrity in business is everything, in the face of challenges being ‘values’ driven is an important motivator.’
And what plans does Tony have for the future of the ADHD Foundation…
‘We will continue to demonstrate that the Liverpool region is a model of excellence and that social capital is key to success.’

Dr Tony Lloyd and the ADHD Foundation were supported by The Women’s Organisation under our New Markets 2 programme for businesses focussing on business to business activity in the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley and Halton) area who are ready to take their business to the next level, expanding their team and significantly increasing turnover.

AND…We’ve been told by Tony and the team to let you know that you should keep looking UP for the umbrellas as they are due to pop up again in the near future! 

For more information contact us on hello@thewo.org.uk or ring us on 0151 706 8111
You can find out more about the ADHD Foundation on their website, Facebook and Twitter.