Healthwatch Stockton ADHD Champion Recognised as Volunteer of the Year!
Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees ADHD champion Larissa Bennett, 31, from central Stockton has won Volunteer of the Year at the Catalyst Conference and Awards 2025.
Larissa has been working with the local independent health and care organisation since 2023, when she contacted Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees (HWS) to share her struggles of living with ADHD and the positive changes that could be made to help others experiencing the same challenges in the community.
Since then, Larissa has volunteered her time with the HWS team to talk further about her experiences, and the detrimental impact the condition has had on her life, friends, and family, and to help change the narrative around neurodiversity.
Larissa made HWS aware of the lack of support and understanding, highlighting positive changes that could be made to help others locally experiencing similar situations.
Based on her knowledge and experiences, Larissa and HWS worked together to build a case study to better understand and shine a spotlight on the condition.
Larissa continued to work with the HWS team devise an engagement plan, that would help to give people a voice’ while gathering additional feedback and intelligence from the local community about the challenges they face before and after being diagnosed with ADHD, with the report highlighting the findings and providing recommendations.
This report was picked up by Healthwatch England and formed part of a national campaign to make changes to the current system. The work led to further awareness and Healthwatch England invited Natasha Douglas, Manager for HWS to present the findings of the ADHD report at the national Healthwatch Conference in London.
Larissa said: “Winning this award is truly humbling. When I started sharing my ADHD journey, I never imagined it would reach so many people. Working with Healthwatch has given me a platform to amplify this issue not just locally, but nationally, pushing for more accessible support and challenging outdated narratives around neurodiversity.
“This award reminds me how important it is to keep pushing for change, but more importantly, I hope it keeps the conversation going about real, accessible support for neurodivergent people.”
Larissa has also been invaluable in raising awareness with members of the public, in Board meetings and at the Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees’ Annual Event, where she spoke of her lived experience with ADHD and her passion to support others to make positive changes.
In addition to this, Larissa has worked closely with Natasha to bravely tell her story and create a video describing her experiences – how it affects her relationships, mental health, work and personal life - to help provide a tangible legacy to the ongoing campaign and drive for system wide change.
In recognition of her efforts to raise awareness of living with ADHD, the Catalyst Stockton Board awarded Larissa the ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’ at an event at ARC Stockton Arts Centre.
“Larissa is passionate, sharing her experience with a hope to improve the services currently provided and help others gain support in their journey. She has remained dedicated to helping others to overcome some of the struggles they may encounter, while raising awareness of the condition.”
“Larissa’s dedication to changing perceptions of ADHD is truly inspiring, and it’s wonderful to see her work being recognized nationally. Her passion shone through in the high standard of entries, and it highlighted the importance of volunteering in making a meaningful difference.
“Volunteering allows individuals like Larissa to channel their energy into causes they believe in, helping to break down barriers and challenge misconceptions. Her work not only raises awareness but also inspires others to contribute to positive change. Well done Larissa and this award is truly well deserved."
Larissa has been invited to join the HWS Executive Board to help shape and influence local health and care services. She is also looking to undertake advocate training, and hopes to establish a local Peer Support group, supporting others to improve wellbeing and improve life opportunities.
Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees is urging those interested in ADHD services and support to read the full report: Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees ADHD Report which can also be downloaded below.
