1) Our Goals and How We’re Working Towards Them
At A Safe Space to be Me, our goal is simple: to ensure that individuals can access the support they need without having to prove, perform, or mask their experiences to be taken seriously.
We provide counselling, ADHD and neurodivergent support, and wellbeing programmes designed around real-world need, not rigid systems. Our work is grounded in a neurodivergent-affirming approach that recognises the complexity of people’s lives and removes barriers to access wherever possible.
We are proud to be the only commissioned Adult ADHD service in Northern Ireland, and a national provider supporting individuals through specialist, accessible services.
To date, we have delivered over 10,000 counselling sessions, supported more than 1,000 individuals with ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles, and developed NICE-guideline-compliant ADHD programmes and services. Alongside this, we have built strong partnerships across health, education, and the community sector.
Our work has grown because the need has grown and we continue to adapt our services to meet that demand.
2) A Success Story That Stands Out
Much of our work centres on individuals who have spent years being told they are “coping”, often because they present as articulate, capable, or high-functioning.
One individual we supported came to us after years of navigating services without receiving meaningful help. Despite clear need, they had repeatedly been overlooked because they did not present in a way that met service thresholds.
Through specialist ADHD support and counselling, they were able to better understand their experiences, reduce self-blame, and access practical strategies that made daily life more manageable.
The impact was not just clinical, it was personal. For the first time, they felt believed.
Stories like this are not exceptions. They reflect a wider pattern where people are often unsupported not because they are coping, but because they are expected to appear as though they are.
3) Why We Joined NICVA
We joined NICVA because we recognise that individual services alone cannot solve systemic issues.
Real change requires collaboration, shared learning, and a strong collective voice across the voluntary and community sector.
NICVA provides a platform to connect with others facing similar challenges, contribute to wider conversations around policy and practice, and strengthen our ability to advocate for the people we support.
4) How NICVA Membership Has Benefited Us
Being part of NICVA has strengthened both our organisational capacity and our ability to influence wider conversations.
Access to training, guidance, and sector insight has supported our governance, development, and long-term sustainability. Just as importantly, NICVA’s networks have created opportunities to connect with other organisations, share learning, and build partnerships that enhance our work.
It has also enabled us to stay informed and engaged with policy developments, ensuring that the experiences of the people we support are part of the broader conversation around service design and delivery.
5) Marking 10 Years – A Milestone Event at Stormont
As we mark 10 years of A Safe Space to be Me, we are hosting a milestone event at Stormont.
This event is an opportunity not only to reflect on what has been achieved, but to highlight what remains unresolved.
Our choice of venue is deliberate. As the centre of policy and decision-making in Northern Ireland, Stormont provides the appropriate setting to explore the reality of masking, the cost of unmet need, and the increasing pressure being absorbed by individuals, families, and the community sector, and to contribute to the case for meaningful systemic change.
6) How You Can Support A Safe Space to be Me
There are a number of ways to support our work:
- Attend and engage with our 10-year milestone event at Stormont
- Share and amplify our work and the experiences of those we support
- Connect with us to learn more about our services and approach
- Support our work through collaboration, advocacy, or funding opportunities
We will also be hosting a Masquerade Ball on 10 October 2026, bringing together partners and supporters to continue this work in a different setting. We are currently offering table bookings and welcoming conversations with potential event sponsors. If you would like further details, please get in touch.
NICVA is proud to have A Safe Space to be Me as part of our membership community, and to support the continued growth and impact of their work across Northern Ireland and beyond.
