ADHD Pirates CIC is a Staffordshire-based, community-led organisation supporting adults with ADHD through non-clinical information, orientation, and people-led peer spaces.
We often hear from professionals that they know we exist, but are not always sure when it is appropriate to signpost. This article is intended to make that clear.
Our role sits before, between, and alongside statutory services. We do not replace NHS or commissioned provision. We support adults to make sense of ADHD and available options, particularly during long waiting periods or when support feels fragmented or inaccessible. This is often most helpful early, before difficulties escalate or disengagement sets in.
What we do
Provide orientation in accessible ways
Many adults with ADHD are not lacking information. They are overwhelmed, fatigued, or unsure what is relevant to their situation.
We deliberately design our offer to be accessible in different ways, recognising that people engage best through different formats and at different times. Our website is the primary signposting route and includes:
- Plain-English articles
- Curated books, podcasts, apps, and research
- Tools that can be dipped into rather than followed sequentially
- Workplace orientation, including Access to Work and reasonable adjustments, without delivering those services ourselves
There is no expectation of sustained engagement, progression, or “keeping up”. People are encouraged to take what is useful, leave what is not, and return when it helps.
Facilitate non-clinical peer spaces
We also run small, people-led peer groups for adults with ADHD.
These spaces are:
- Non-clinical and non-therapeutic
- Lightly facilitated and conversation-based
- Focused on shared experience, reflection, and collective sense-making
The focus is not on problem-solving or fixing, but on shared language, perspective, and recalibration.
They do not provide advice, treatment, or crisis support. They are not suitable for everyone, and separate eligibility criteria apply. Places are limited.
Who our offer is suitable for
ADHD Pirates may be appropriate for adults aged 18 and over who:
- Identify as having ADHD (diagnosed, self-identified, or awaiting assessment)
- Are not experiencing acute mental health distress
- Are able to engage independently with information or group spaces
- Are seeking understanding and orientation rather than clinical intervention
What we don’t do
ADHD Pirates CIC does not provide:
- Diagnosis or assessment
- Therapy or counselling
- Crisis or emergency support
- Ongoing one-to-one advice as a default service
- Clinical, statutory, or commissioned interventions
We are not a treatment pathway and should not be positioned as one.
When not to signpost
Please do not signpost to ADHD Pirates if someone:
- Is in acute mental health distress
- Has safeguarding concerns
- Requires urgent clinical or therapeutic intervention
- Is currently unable to engage safely in self-directed or group-based spaces
- In these situations, statutory or clinical services should be prioritised.
How to signpost
For most people, signposting simply means sharing our website as an orientation resource and first place to make sense of options:
Individuals can explore independently and decide what, if anything, feels helpful. Peer group access is subject to eligibility and availability.
If you are unsure whether ADHD Pirates is appropriate in a particular situation, you are welcome to contact us to sense-check.