Neurodivergence group saved from brink of collapse

The BBC spoke with Neurodivergent Friends in Thanet co-funder Holly Sutcliffe as she discovered the community group could continue its work

A neurodivergence community group on the brink of collapse has been saved after people pledged their time and money in a last-minute fundraising bid.

Neurodivergent Friends in Thanet (NDFT) needed £26,000 to continue providing free support to neurodivergent adults for another year.

Without the money, NDFT would have been forced to shut down, leaving many vulnerable people without a lifeline.

“We are delighted to have raised what we need, but it has not been easy,” co-founder Holly Sutcliffe told the BBC, just seconds after the fundraiser passed its target.

48-hour deadline

Neurodiversity refers to the different ways a person's brain processes information, according to the NHS.

The most common types of neurodiversity include autism, ADHD, ADD, dyscalculia, dyslexia and dyspraxia.

The NDFT said it aimed to enrich the lives of neurodivergent adults in Thanet. The funds raised will be used to provide "essential" monthly meet-ups.

By Sunday, the group - which had already received funding from the NHS and Kent County Council - had just two days remaining to raise £8,000.

Instead of pledging money, people with specific skills such as marketing and strategic planning have since committed their time to NDFT to complete the jobs that the £8,000 would have been spent on.

"If we had failed, it would have been very damaging," said Ms Sutcliffe.

"The feeling of acceptance and happiness that we offer is very important."