Integration at the forefront of transforming attitudes on ADHD in Scotland

By working in an integrated way, Procrastination Station are leading a culture shift on ADHD awareness across Scotland.

Procrastination Station exemplifies integrated ways of working. As the first and only adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) hub in Scotland, not only is their work innovative, but it fosters authentic relationships, emphasises collaborative working, and helps to instigate a culture shift from within the third sector, which are themes firmly rooted in integration.

Founded in 2019, Procrastination Station offers one-to-one coaching sessions for people diagnosed, self-diagnosed or awaiting diagnosis of ADHD. They also provide advice for adults, adolescents, and relatives of children with the condition, alongside providing educational packages for businesses and healthcare professionals across the country.

Three of Procrastination Station’s four directors are certified ADHD life coaches, of which there are very few in Scotland. Research suggests that 2.8% of adults worldwide live with the condition, but founding director Clair Simpson, who was diagnosed with ADHD at age 44, said that until the creation of the organisation, there was a severe lack of support for adults with ADHD in Scotland.

“Basically there was nothing, there was no support for people”, Clair says. “We get an influx of people from all walks of life, as well as people who say “I’m at the end of my tether, I don’t know what to do”. We did training and first aid for mental health, because actually, we were getting people who were at crisis point and feeling suicidal, which was really scary to begin with.”

As a result, coaching sessions put the person at the centre, offering greater self-awareness alongside effective strategies, which are co-produced by both coach and the individual to manage bespoke symptoms of ADHD. Individuals are encouraged to participate in courses that can help them interact with others who have the condition, allowing them to develop authentic relationships and talk collaboratively about ADHD with those who have lived experience.

Clair continued: “A big part of what we do is connecting people within the ADHD community. We do a lot of reassuring people that they’re not on their own, whilst encouraging them to join the courses. That is one of the most powerful things – getting people together with ADHD to normalise it and go “right, it’s not just me”.”

Procrastination Station now work closely across the sectors having identified gaps in knowledge about ADHD. As a result, the organisation promotes a joined-up approach by providing educational packages to healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists and occupational therapists, as well as private sector businesses.

“We’ve done it with two companies so far who had no information about ADHD”, Clair says. “We asked “how can we make your workplace more inclusive for people with ADHD?”, and actually, it’s not that difficult – a big part of it is communication and understanding how it affects people. The first step in being inclusive is offering support and talking about it.”

Procrastination Station work closely with the Job Centre to support unemployed people living with ADHD. Clair says this is a challenge, given those with the condition are more likely to have difficulties staying in employment than a ‘neurotypical’ person, but government schemes, such as the Access To Work grant, may help to support a culture shift in the workplace.

“If the grant is used by one person to pay for a standing desk because they couldn’t settle and wanted to stand up at work, then this is what a reasonable adjustment could look like. We can then take that into our training and say this is what will help a person with ADHD stay in employment.”

Integrated approaches to sharing knowledge and understanding, such as partnership working, are allowing Procrastination Station to be at the forefront of a culture shift in Scotland. Clair hopes that these adjustments can be the catalyst in transforming attitudes on ADHD whilst empowering those with the condition to thrive, citing her own diagnosis as the reason she created Procrastination Station.

“Four years ago, there’s no way I would have imagined I’d be doing this. But that was the difference between me getting my diagnosis, gaining medication, and receiving support. You then start seeing the amazing talents people with ADHD have when they’re put in the right environments. It’s a rethink of how society works, but it’s totally achievable.”

You can find out more about the services, support and information offered by Procrastination Station on their website: Home – Procrastination Station (procrastination-station.co.uk)