Foothold

🎥 IT'S HERE! “You’re not broken, you just need help.”   Software engineer Mikaela Sanchez MIET was just one of the many students who struggle with the everyday challenges of being neurodiverse. Sadly, there are some who never make it to graduating, due to a lack of support.   Mikaela credits her success in her studies and career in part to the support she received from Foothold, including a funded fast-tracked diagnosis of ADHD.   In this exclusive interview, released to mark ADHD Awareness Month this October, we sat down with Mikaela to hear all about her experience growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, and how her diagnosis and follow-up support enabled her to reach her potential and achieve her dream of working in engineering.   Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eFb5nz6P   Research shows an increased incidence of neurodiversity in engineers like Mikaela. In this video, she shares:   👉 What it’s like to learn, work and communicate with ADHD – and the challenges and strengths it brings 👉 What having an interest-based nervous system means for people with ADHD 👉 How her diagnosis changed her outlook on herself and her life   ♻️ Repost to help us share Mikaela’s story and support others who may be struggling in silence   Look out for more ADHD and neurodiversity content coming your way this month!   -------------------------------------   We have support available for anyone in the engineering community who is or thinks they may be neurodivergent:   💻 Our Differently Wired Hub has expert information, advice and resources to help you understand a range of neurodiverse conditions like ADHD. Join for free here: https://lnkd.in/eHrszGy9   🎓 Our Engineering Neurodiverse Futures programme helps students like Mikaela get funded financial, emotional and career support, to help them thrive in their learning. Find our more: https://lnkd.in/ePJX7QsX   #ADHD #ADHDAwarenessMonth #Neurodiversity #NeurodiversityAwareness #Engineering #Engineers   Alan Watts / Alison Lanchester / Andy Rogers CEng FIET / Dolores Byrne / Joe Dunn / John Gleeson / Virginia Hodge / Wolf Byttner

Mental health is more widely discussed now than ever before, but that doesn't mean people find it easy to open up when they're struggling. For many men, in particular, sharing that they're having a difficult time can feel impossible. ❗ Trigger warning: suicide. Globally, one man dies by suicide every minute. That's 1,400 deaths per day, and 525,600 deaths per year. In the UK, suicide is the leading cause of death for men under the age of 50, where 3 out of 4 suicides are by men. Of course, every individual has very personal circumstances that lead them to this point. But one thing is for certain: improving overall mental health and reducing the perceived shame around opening up can reduce the risk of suicide. If there's a man in your life who you haven't spoken to in a while, take a moment out of your day to check-in. If you're struggling with your mental health: know that it's okay if you're not okay. Support is available. ❗ If you’re in crisis, call 999 or your country's emergency services number for immediate support. ➡ If you feel able, tell a close family member or friends how you feel, and make an appointment with your doctor. ➡ Samaritans (available 24/7) and SOS Silence of Suicide have helplines for those struggling with their mental health. ➡ Use Mental Health Check-In, our clinically validated mental health self-check tool, which offers personalised advice and a downloadable report you can bring to a doctor. You don't only have to use this tool if you're having a difficult time; it's a great way to check in on your mental health regularly: https://lnkd.in/dpgYh4Vm ➡ Join our Wellbeing Hub for information on mental health and structured, self-guided support: https://lnkd.in/e2FMMXqZ #MensMentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MensMentalHealth #MentalHealth #Suicide #MentalHealthSupport #Engineering

For Mikaela Sanchez, ADHD was once a barrier—an obstacle that threatened to stand between her and her goals in engineering. But with support from Foothold, she turned that barrier into a powerful tool for success. Foothold funded a fast-tracked ADHD diagnosis at a critical juncture in Mikaela’s life. With this support, she went from struggling to manage her studies to thriving, graduating with First-Class Honours, and ultimately stepping into her dream career. But more than that, it gave her the tools to become an advocate for inclusivity and to champion others who are neurodivergent. In this video wrap-up for ADHD Awareness Month, Mikaela Sanchez MIET shares: 👉 Her journey through the difficulties of undiagnosed ADHD and how a diagnosis changed her life 👉 The ways Foothold’s intervention allowed her to reach her potential 👉 Tips and resources that helped her—and can help others—thrive at work and in life Foothold’s support doesn’t just help people manage neurodiverse conditions—it helps people realise their potential and become empowered advocates. 🌟 🔗 Need support for ADHD? Visit the Differently Wired Hub here: https://lnkd.in/erDFyWym ♻️ Share this with someone you think would benefit from it. 📺 If you missed Mikaela’s full interview, you can still watch it here: https://lnkd.in/eDuxvdEA

📝 Write your Will for FREE - last few places remaining! Talking about Wills isn’t taboo, but less than 50% of UK adults have made one! We’re approaching the end of #FreeWillsMonth - your wishes being known by the people you care about is important. It can safeguard your family’s financial future and bring you peace of mind in the present. As part of the National Free Wills Network, which helps people in the UK over the age of 55 to make a free Will, we want to help engineers to make their will for FREE and we have a final few places available. Register now for your FREE Will on our website: https://lnkd.in/eEDXhram

Rounding up our expert articles for ADHD Awareness Month is this excellent blog by Sam Williams ACC, CEng MIET. Did you know that up to £60,000 of funding is available, per person, to people with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions? This funding is made available to help you do your job and stay in work. Sam shares her personal ADHD journey, with straight-forward and actionable advice on using the government’s Access to Work scheme. Read her blog 👉 https://lnkd.in/ekEgPejJ Looking for information, advice and support on neurodiversity? Join our Differently Wired Hub today 🧠 https://lnkd.in/ePh-rRCe #ADHDAwarenessMonth #ADHD #Neurodiversity #NeurodiversitySupport #AccessToWork #Engineering

Navigating a professional environment with ADHD is not just about managing challenges; it’s about leveraging strengths. 🔥 Mikaela Sanchez knows first-hand how overwhelming the workplace can be for individuals with ADHD—but she also knows the tools that can turn those challenges into stepping stones to success. In this video, Mikaela shares her essential work hacks that have helped her thrive: 👉 Finding your ‘Why’: For people with ADHD, interest and passion are key drivers. Identifying your personal ‘why’ helps navigate through distractions and keeps your motivation strong. 👉 Celebrate Your Wins: Impostor syndrome can feel like a constant shadow. Documenting both big and small victories can be a powerful reminder of your growth. 👉 Prioritise Self-Care: Schedule breaks as if they’re non-negotiable appointments. Recharging is essential to prevent burnout. 👉 Ask Early: Don’t wait to request workplace adjustments that you need. Early support keeps you thriving rather than just surviving. 👉 Use Your Resources: Mikaela highlights the importance of the UK’s Access to Work grant, which offers ADHD coaching and technology support. It’s a tool designed to help you excel. ADHD may mean your brain works differently, but different isn’t bad—it’s powerful, and it’s valuable. When harnessed correctly, these traits are a unique superpower in the workplace. 💪 🔗 Need support for ADHD in the workplace? Get help at the Differently Wired Hub: https://lnkd.in/erDFyWym ♻️ Share this with someone you think would benefit from it. 📺 If you missed Mikaela’s full interview, you can still watch it here: https://lnkd.in/eDuxvdEA

📝 Write your Will for FREE! Talking about Wills isn’t taboo, but less than 50% of UK adults have made a one! Making sure your wishes are known by the people you care about is important. Not only does it safeguard your family’s financial future, it also brings you peace of mind in the present. Despite the importance of having a Will and talking about your wishes, a staggering 58% of adults living in the UK haven’t spoken to anyone about what should happen to their estate after their death! We want to help engineers and their families to change that and as part of the National Free Wills Network, which helps people in the UK over the age of 55 to make a free Will during #FreeWillsMonth, we have a limited number of places available. Register now for your FREE Will on our website: https://lnkd.in/g2pWpDgW

🚨There's still time to sign up to our most popular financial webinar to date! Sign up for FREE and join us TODAY at 12.30pm UK time. We understand that making a Will isn’t an easy thing to think about. You also may not know where to begin. Join us for this live event, where a financial adviser will guide you through the basics of estate planning in plain English, including inheritance tax, trusts and the importance of making a Will. Sign up now ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e9hq8ME8 #EstatePlanning #MakingAWill #InheritanceTax #Trusts #FreeWillsMonth #Webinar #Engineering

If you are an engineering student or apprentice, studying on your first engineering course, and think you might have a neurodiverse condition then follow this link to get more information about Foothold’s ‘Engineering Neurodiverse Futures’ programme ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eqz7DW8r Research shows a greater incidence of neurodiversity in engineers, with around 820,000 neurodiverse engineers working in the UK alone. Our Engineering Neurodiverse Futures could help you to build a successful and rewarding career with: ✅ Support to access a diagnosis of a neurodiverse condition ✅ Financial support to help you if you are struggling to make ends meet, or to fund assistive equipment or resources ✅ Counselling support to help you understand what a diagnosis means for you ✅ Opportunities to access careers guidance, coaching and mentoring to prepare you for life as a professional engineer. “I remember feeling so surprised and quite excited when Foothold confirmed that they could support me, as I’d assumed I wouldn’t be eligible for support with what seemed like such a ‘niche’ issue. But how wrong I was!”  #ADHD #ADHDAwarenessMonth #Neurodiversity #NeurodiversityAwareness #Engineering #Engineers

“You’re not broken, you just need the right support.” For many students like Mikaela Sanchez, the path through university is fraught with challenges, especially when undiagnosed neurodiversity comes into play. During her placement year, Mikaela struggled significantly. Without the right support, she, like many others, might not have made it to graduation. But then Foothold stepped in. Foothold provided Mikaela with a funded private ADHD assessment, allowing her to get the fast-tracked support she needed. This wasn’t just about getting a diagnosis—it was about gaining the tools to manage her condition, to understand her own potential, and ultimately to thrive. Mikaela went on to graduate with First-Class Honours, and today she works in engineering, advocating for greater neurodiversity support within her industry. 🌟 In this inspiring video, Mikaela shares: 👉 The struggles of navigating an engineering degree with undiagnosed ADHD 👉 How Foothold’s intervention changed her outlook, transforming her challenges into unique strengths 👉 Why timely support is crucial for students facing neurodivergent challenges 🔗 Need support? Visit the Engineering Neurodiverse Futures Programme here: https://lnkd.in/eCCHUHU8 ♻️ Share this with someone you think would benefit from it. 📺 If you missed Mikaela Sanchez MIET’s full interview, you can still watch it here: https://lnkd.in/eDuxvdEA