A new peer-led ADHD support group in Wanstead is creating a relaxed, non-clinical space for men to talk openly and feel understood, says group founder Hari Singh
Many men with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) go through school, work and adult life without really understanding why things feel harder than they should. Difficulties are often kept to themselves rather than spoken about openly. By the time a diagnosis comes, many have already spent years feeling behind their peers without knowing why.
I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult after struggling for a long time in ways I couldn’t fully explain. The diagnosis helped things make sense, but it also made me realise how few spaces there are for men to talk openly about ADHD. Most support either feels very clinical or it starts to sound like therapy or coaching. For a lot of men, that can be off-putting. That gap is what led me to set up a small, peer-led group in Wanstead.
The group meets weekly and is kept intentionally small. That makes it feel more manageable and relaxed. Sessions aren’t clinical and there’s no pressure for anyone to speak. Some people come and talk quite openly. Others mostly listen, especially at first. Both are completely fine. The focus isn’t on advice or fixing things but on open conversation and shared experience.
Men who attend come from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. What connects them isn’t having the same lives but recognising parts of themselves in each other’s experiences. Sessions are structured so everyone has the chance to speak if they want to, without feeling put on the spot. Listening is just as important as talking, which helps keep the conversation balanced rather than dominated by one or two voices.
What has stood out most so far is the sense of relief people describe once they realise they’re not the only one dealing with these issues. Several men have said it’s the first time they’ve spoken honestly about ADHD with other men, without feeling the need to explain themselves or downplay it. For many men, just having that shared understanding can make a real difference. The group is still in the early stages, but it’s clear that simply having a space to talk can reduce isolation and make day-to-day life feel a bit easier to manage.
The group isn’t meant to replace clinical or professional support; it sits alongside it. Right now, my focus is on keeping the group consistent and making sure it’s something people feel comfortable returning to. I’m still learning what works and what doesn’t, and I’m not trying to grow it too quickly or turn it into something it isn’t. If having a space like this helps even a small number of men feel less alone or more able to talk openly, then it’s doing what it was set up to do.
The Men’s ADHD Support Group meets at Wanstead House, 21 The Green, E11 2NT every Friday from 7.15pm to 8.15pm (£5 per session). For more information, email wansteadadhdgroup@gmail.com
