A moving and authentic stage play celebrating the real-world lived experiences of neurodivergent people has raised £875 to support young people and families navigating ADHD across Yorkshire.
Every single penny raised from And Now For Something Completely Divergent has been donated directly to the Henry Grierson ADHD & Mental Health Foundation. The production enjoyed a four-night run this September, staging intimate performances at both the Halifax Playhouse Bar Studio and community arts space Fire & Water.
Playwright and counsellor Leila Jones penned the script after witnessing the daily hurdles faced by her clients, friends, and family. A pivotal driving force behind the story was her close friend Patrick Higgins, who has ADHD himself and took to the stage alongside a talented cast of fellow neurodivergent actors.
The play carries deep personal significance. The Henry Grierson Foundation was founded by Dr Ruth Grierson in loving memory of her 17-year-old son Henry, who tragically died by suicide in April 2024 after years of struggling with ADHD. Today, the foundation works tirelessly to provide tailored support for young people, dismantle stigmas, improve education around neurodiversity, and campaign for earlier, better mental health care.
Leila’s own family journey closely mirrored these realities. With her 16-year-old son currently navigating the ADHD pathway, Leila met with Henry’s parents, Dr Ruth and Chad Grierson, to compare notes on the distinct school hurdles neurodivergent boys face. Their honest discussions helped lay the foundation for the production’s raw and relatable storytelling.
Leila Jones said: “It’s been the biggest pleasure of my life working with my four talented actors, using the incredible power of theatre to try to communicate themes and stories. And getting to know Ruth and more about the Foundation has only inspired me further.
“I am so proud to be associated with the charity and its work. Neurodivergence, what it is and what it means for those who are neurodivergent, needs to be shouted from the rooftops. Too many are suffering and too little is known about it.”
Dr Ruth Grierson added: “Leila has created something really special with And Now For Something Completely Divergent, especially for the families of neurodivergent people. She has managed to capture the highs and lows of neurodivergent life with honesty and humour, giving audiences an opportunity to better understand something that is often misunderstood.
“It is so important to share the experiences of neurodivergent people, and for others to take the time to listen. We are very grateful to Leila and the actors for bringing this to the stage, and for donating the proceeds to the Foundation. Her generosity helps us to share Henry’s story and continue his legacy, so that we can continue to work for neurodivergent boys and young men to get the support they need.”
The journey doesn’t stop with the stage run. Plans are already in motion to take And Now For Something Completely Divergent directly into Yorkshire secondary schools later this term, where it will feature as the centrepiece of a new peer mentoring pilot launched by the foundation.
To learn more about the charity’s mission or offer support, visit https://henrygrierson.org.
