By Lisa Ramsden
THE ADHD Hub in Newcastle was a hive of activity on Monday, when it launched its Neurodiverse Social Café.
Dreamt up by one of the organisation’s longest supporters and members, Callum McAuley, board games, arts and crafts and card games were in full swing as participants enjoyed plenty of fun and laughter over classics such as Connect 4 and Snakes and Ladders.
However, the mood at the event was in stark contrast to concerns about the group’s future funding.
When the Hub’s next round of National Lottey funding comes in next month, they will be guaranteed just three months of money.
Janet Ward, who established the group in 2017, with the Hub, which includes a café, said the uncertainty about how they will meet their bills is an ever-constant worry.
Events such as Monday’s are a clear reflection of the organisation’s success and important role, filling the gap in providing support statutory bodies are unable to.
But Janet added that she and the other volunteers who help to run the organisation are “filled with dread that our money will run out and not enough will come in”.
Whilst acknowledging the devoted customers and supporters, Janet appealed for the wider community to get behind them and support the Hub’s café, which is staffed by young volunteers who learn essential life skills.
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