My manager recommended it. I’m waiting for ADHD and autism assessments and we were just looking down the route of where I can get more support. So, we reached out first to see if there’s anything that the Charity for Civil Servants could help with. I’m so glad I did! I’ve had neurodivergent coaching before, but this was something different. It was more like having someone to talk to that gets it and can provide suggestions and understands where you’re coming from.
Demi's story
The Charity was able to provide Demi with access to specialist coaching from Autism and ADHD giving her a sense of possibility.
When Demi’s manager suggested reaching out to the Charity for Civil Servants, she wasn’t sure what to expect.
Through the Charity, Demi was able to access specialist coaching provided by Autism and ADHD, an organisation we work with to bring civil servants tailored support. That first conversation marked the start of Demi feeling understood and gave her a sense of possibility.
At the time Demi was facing multiple challenges – from long waiting lists to the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis.
Demi spoke of feeling:
A bit of hopelessness because you’re on this really long waiting list, and the only other option is spending loads of money you don’t have – in a cost-of-living crisis. I was aware I had differences, and I understood my brain worked differently, but I needed something to piece it all together, which is what the sessions with Annie really did.
For Demi, the support she received didn’t just focus on one area, it helped her understand the bigger picture of her wellbeing.
In addition to the ADHD and autism, I’ve also struggled with my mental health and they impact each other quite a lot. I was just pushing through; I felt a sense of burden and burnout that I wasn’t recognising.
Her first experience of the charity dates back a few years, during another period of difficulty.
It was back in 2017 or 2018. I hadn’t really considered how being neurodivergent affected me, but I knew that I struggled with budgeting and finances. I found myself in a situation owing £300 in council tax… we went through all the financial stuff, and they actually paid that for me, which really helped me get back on my feet. I had a fresh start, and I could focus on my day-to-day living costs.
Now, Demi feels more confident and empowered to advocate for herself.
I’m a lot better. I feel more confident communicating my own challenges and how I work and feeling confident because I think one thing, I’ve always struggled with is that I feel like I can’t do things because I do them a different way, but actually I’m doing them just in a different way. It took me quite a while to get my head around things like that, and so it’s helped me see my worth and my strengths.
She’s deeply grateful for the impact the Charity had.
I don’t think thank you could cover it. It’s just been so invaluable, and I just wish more people knew about it. It’s one of those benefits people don’t talk about as a civil servant is the support we have through our channels, especially through this charity. You’ve changed many lives, including mine.
Demi wants others to know that help is there for anyone that needs it.
I just wanted to highlight that the support is there because I know there are probably people that are struggling and don’t know where to go for help or even to better understand a diagnosis. I still have that support, which is amazing.
Some elements of this story have been anonymised or changed to protect the person’s identity.
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