ADDA’s Member Journey has four phases: Start, Connect, Grow, and Lead. Facilitating is where the Lead phase comes alive. Everything you’ve learned, felt, and worked through becomes something you can offer someone else.
Facilitating isn’t about having the answers. It’s about holding space for people to feel understood, sometimes for the first time.
What You'll Gain
🤝 Deeper Purpose
Be the reason someone feels less alone this week. That’s not a small thing. It’s one of the most meaningful things you can offer someone.
🎤 Real Leadership Skills
Guide meaningful conversations, hold space for hard moments, and get more comfortable leading a group. One session at a time.
🌍 Community That Gets It
Get to know other facilitators walking the same path, learning as they go. Just like you.
🧭 Training & Mentorship
You’re never doing this alone. Every facilitator is trained and paired with a mentor before they lead a group on their own.
🌱 Growth Without Shame
Mistakes are part of learning! We’re all in this together. You’ll be guided, celebrated, and supported as you develop.
🧩 Part of Your Member Journey
Facilitating is the natural next step in Lead. It’s where what you’ve learned becomes what you give.
What We're Looking For
- You Listen Well: You're the kind of person others feel comfortable opening up to.
- You Stay Flexible: Meetings don't always go as planned, and that's okay. You can roll with it.
- You Show Up: Reliability matters here. People count on you being there.
- You're on Your Own ADHD Journey Too: You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need some experience navigating your own ADHD and a willingness to keep growing alongside the group.
How To Get Started
Becoming a facilitator starts the same way any ADDA volunteer journey does.
Then, Your Facilitator Training Begins
Once you’re introduced to the VPSG team, you’ll move through a dedicated training path built to prepare you to hold space with confidence:
- Facilitator Orientation: A 1-hour video training you complete on your own time, with two short quizzes along the way.
- Observe 2 Support Groups: Sit in on at least two groups to see facilitation in action. (Interested in body doubling? Those groups count too.)
- Debrief Session: Meet with VPSG leadership to talk through what you observed.
- Mentor Match: Get paired with a mentor facilitator and mentor group.
- Mentorship: Complete at least three sessions alongside your mentor before leading on your own.
Becoming a facilitator is one of the most meaningful roles at ADDA. It’s where members go from being helped to being the reason someone else feels less alone.
Important To Know
- An active ADDA membership of at least 3 months ensures you've had time to absorb and understand the community and our values. This isn't a barrier. It's a bridge that helps you become embedded in our community and understand what we stand for.
- We do not offer temporary volunteer opportunities for outside hour requirements. This is about genuine commitment to our community.
- Facilitator roles require a bit more consistency than other volunteer positions, since members rely on you being there. Let's talk about what schedule realistically works for you.
- Many facilitators grow into other leadership roles at ADDA, without pressure, but with encouragement. This isn't a one-time commitment. This is a journey.
Questions
What if I can’t commit long-term?
Facilitator roles do ask for more consistency than some other volunteer positions, since members build trust in your presence. Let’s find a cadence that’s realistic for you before you commit.
Is this paid?
No, this is volunteer work. But you’ll gain skills, community, and the deep satisfaction of knowing you helped someone feel less alone.
Do I need prior facilitation experience?
No. Prior experience helps, but it isn’t required. What matters most is a genuine commitment to creating a safe space for others, and a willingness to learn.
What if I make a mistake?
You will. We all do. Mistakes are how we learn. You’ll be supported, not shamed.
Can I change my mind later?
Yes. Life happens. If facilitating isn’t working, tell us. We want facilitators to feel energized by this work, not overwhelmed by it.
I’m new to ADHD or ADDA. Is that a problem?
Not at all. But because facilitators are asked to hold space for others, we do ask that you spend time getting to know your own ADHD and the ADDA community first (through membership) before stepping into this role.
Ready to Hold Space for Someone Else?
Have questions? Email volunteer@add.org
A Word From Someone Who's Been There
“Being able to help and support others is essential for my survival. Being of service has helped me navigate my own ADHD, to get out of myself. Coming to group is not always about me, it is about the others.”
Patrick, VPSG Facilitator
