OUR PROJECTS
Making ADHD support real and local
From community allotments to hands-on learning hubs, we're building practical spaces where neurodivergent people can connect, grow, and thrive.
Each section below says where that project has got to — finished, nearly complete, or still to come.
National Lottery funding news
Funded and underway: The Stretford Kinesthetic Learning Hub
We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has funded this project, and work has started on making it a reality.
Thank you to National Lottery players for making this possible.
The Blueprint ADHD Support & Skills C.I.C. is launching a dual-purpose community workshop in Trafford: a learn-by-doing space where people can pick up practical skills and connect with others.
Our grant application sets out a 12-month pilot based in Trafford: mentored daytime carpentry and trade-skills sessions for young people aged 16–24, plus a calm, non-clinical space where adults can talk while working side by side.
The application sets out a total project cost of £20,000. The hub is being developed and is not yet open for sessions — we’ll share opening details when they are confirmed.
Practical skills
The planned daytime sessions will offer mentored carpentry and trade-skills learning for young people aged 16–24, helping them build confidence and skills for employment.
Connection and peer support
The hub will combine hands-on learning with Wednesday evening adult peer support, offering space for conversation and connection.
Shaped by the community
Local conversations helped shape the proposal, and participant feedback and planned open workshop days will help guide its development.
What we’re working towards
The application includes workshop equipment, workbenches, tools, dust extraction and protective equipment, alongside premises and facilitation costs. It also budgets for Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance, Enhanced DBS checks for directors and volunteers, and First Aid at Work training. These are planned provisions, not confirmation that cover, checks or training are already in place.
We plan to use attendance, participant feedback and skill progression to learn from the pilot and shape the hub’s future.
Nearly complete: The Blueprint Community Allotment
Growing Food. Growing Confidence. Growing Community.
We're hosting sessions where people can come along and help out, and the plot should be open for growing sessions in the spring.
We're making great progress on our new community allotment, and it's really starting to come together! Every step forward is helping us create a calm, welcoming space where people can connect, learn new skills, spend time in nature, and support their wellbeing together.
This isn't just about growing fruit and vegetables—it's about growing confidence, friendships, purpose, and a community where everyone feels they belong. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us so far — your encouragement means the world.
SPECIAL THANKS
A big thank you to MKM Building Supplies for providing the materials that are helping bring our community allotment to life.
Why gardening can be especially beneficial for ADHD:
- Dopamine and Mental Recovery: Gardening tasks provide immediate, tangible results that satisfy the ADHD brain's need for dopamine, while the natural environment offers effortless engagement that prevents mental burnout.
- Visual Structure and Physical Outlet: The physical space acts as an intuitive, visual to-do list that bypasses executive dysfunction, while offering a productive channel for restlessness and healthy hyperfocus.
- Low-Demand Social Support: The shared setting creates natural "body doubling" to boost motivation and provides a relaxed space to build connections without the pressure of intense social interaction.
CURRENT PROGRESS
A quick walk-round of the plot as it stands today.
BEFORE
AFTER
Where the allotment is heading
The plot is nearly finished — this is what we're working towards once it's open for growing sessions in the spring.
This is the future we're working towards: a thriving community allotment where people can connect with nature, learn practical skills, and find a sense of calm and belonging.
Picture raised beds full of fresh produce, a covered social area for conversation and workshops, and pathways that invite you to slow down and breathe.
It's more than a garden — it's a space for recovery, friendship, and growing confidence one season at a time.
Complete: The Blueprint Adventure Land
Play. Exploration. Adventure.
A project Martin completed on behalf of a local school.
We've helped transform a local school field into an exciting outdoor space for play, exploration and adventure — part of the school's OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme.
The new areas include Muddy Mayhem, Sandy Shores, Burrow Hill and Rainbow Ridge — spaces designed to inspire creativity, imagination, problem-solving and outdoor fun for every child.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY ADHD BRAIN GETS AN IDEA!
This whole project started with a Facebook post asking for help with the school field. I offered to go and do some digging — and then my little ADHD brain kicked into gear!
One small job quickly turned into:
- A huge sandpit
- Two tunnels joined together and covered with earth
- Another tunnel with tyres built into it for the children to climb and use as steps
- A completely new outdoor play area for the children to explore and enjoy
I've done pretty much all the physical work myself. Once my brain sees what something could become, that's it — bang, boom, boom! I start working out what I can build, what materials I need, where I can get them from and how to make the whole idea happen.
I've done this entire project without charging a penny. Giving back is a massive part of who I am. I genuinely believe that when you give your time, effort and kindness to help others — without expecting anything in return — you will receive blessings in other ways.
This is the positive side of my ADHD brain. I might go somewhere intending to do one little job, but then I see the bigger picture. I notice possibilities other people might miss, connect everything together and turn an idea into something real.
It's been hard graft, but seeing what we've created for these children makes every minute worth it. I'm proud of this one.
— Martin Donnelly, Founder
WITH THANKS TO
- A massive thank you to my friend Terry Cummings, who helped me get the tunnel sections and concrete tunnels for free.
- Another huge thank you to Mark at Salford Grabs, who supplied 20 tonnes of MOT stone for underneath the sandpit.
- And a big thank you to Mike from my ADHD group, who gave up a couple of days of his own time to come and help me for free. It was really appreciated.
A MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL
"It's wonderful to see our school field being transformed into an even more exciting space for play, exploration and adventure!
We are delighted to introduce some fantastic new OPAL areas, including Muddy Mayhem, Sandy Shores, Burrow Hill and Rainbow Ridge. These exciting spaces will inspire creativity, imagination, problem-solving and outdoor fun for all of our children.
A huge thank you to Martin from ADHD Unite Network UK for the countless hours of hard work, dedication and enthusiasm he has given as a volunteer. His efforts have helped turn these ideas into reality and made our field an even more special place for children to learn, play and thrive.
We're confident these new areas will create memories and opportunities that our children will enjoy for years to come."
Support our projects
Your donation or sponsorship helps us fund plants, tools, materials, workshop equipment and community events across all our projects. Every contribution — big or small — goes directly into growing our work and supporting our community.
Thank you for believing in what we're building — your support means everything to us.
Launching in the future: the school pilot and fishery days
Opportunities we'll be launching in the future to help neurodivergent young people learn, connect and thrive. Dates and details are still to be confirmed — get in touch if you'd like to be involved.
The Upstairs Downstairs House
A 4-week programme helping young people understand their brains, regulate emotions, build resilience and thrive.
We've secured a school to pilot our Upstairs Downstairs House programme — using the simple upstairs (thinking) / downstairs (survival) brain metaphor to help kids understand how their minds work. A huge thank you to the school for believing in our vision and giving our programme a home.
- Understand their brain
- Manage big emotions
- Improve focus and confidence
- Build stronger relationships
- Grow skills for life
Fishery Experience Days
For up to 20 ADHD kids who'd like to try fishing.
We've secured access to a local fishery — a calm, supportive space for young people with ADHD to try something new, connect with nature and enjoy quality time outdoors.
- Build patience and focus
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Connect with nature
- Fun, supportive environment
Disclaimer & Safeguarding
Peer support, not medical care: Everything we run is peer support led by people with lived experience. It is not therapy, diagnosis, or medical treatment. Please speak to a qualified healthcare professional about your health, medication, or treatment.
Taking part: Attendance is voluntary and everyone takes part at their own risk. Children and young people must be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless we have agreed otherwise in writing.
Safeguarding: We are committed to keeping everyone who takes part safe. If you have a concern, please speak to a member of our team straight away. You can read our full policy here: Safeguarding Policy.
GET INVOLVED
Parent, partner, or supporter?
Whether you've got a young person who could benefit, you're a local business looking to partner, or you want to support the project — we'd love to hear from you.