Q&A: Pannel Croft Village Lifestyle Manager Vicki Banks on launching ADHD awareness training

What is your current role, and what was your career path before joining ExtraCare?

I’m the Lifestyle Manager at Pannel Croft Village and I really enjoy the role because every day is different. There is always a new challenge, which keeps things interesting. Before joining ExtraCare, I taught science in secondary schools for 10 years. I also have experience in retail and hospitality, and spent many years working as a head chef.

How long have you worked with ExtraCare?

I first joined ExtraCare in September 2021. I left in June 2024 to pursue a different role, but returned in November 2024 when the Lifestyle Manager position became available.

What prompted you to create an ADHD awareness course?

ADHD is still a very misunderstood condition, and there can be a lot of misinformation and stereotyping around it. I received my own diagnosis in my late 30s, and in the three years since then I have been able to better understand how my brain works. Learning to work with it, rather than against it, has helped me gain the confidence to ask for the support I need in order to thrive.

I hope that by increasing awareness, the course will help people who may be struggling to understand themselves, encourage more people to ask for support, and show managers and colleagues how much of a difference small adjustments can make both to a person with ADHD and to the wider team.

What is the course called?

The course is called ADHD awareness training.

Why did you feel the training was needed?

It felt important because ADHD affects a significant number of people, and awareness can make a real difference. NICE guidance covers recognising, diagnosing and managing ADHD in children, young people and adults, with the aim of improving recognition, diagnosis, care and support. ADHD UK also highlights the importance of workplace understanding and reasonable adjustments, particularly in helping employers and employees have more informed conversations about support.

For me, the training is about reducing stigma and helping people understand that support does not always need to be complicated. Sometimes, small changes can have a huge impact on someone’s wellbeing, confidence and ability to do their best work.

How did you go about creating the course?

I started by gathering key information from the official diagnostic criteria in the DSM, as well as helpful sources such as ADHD UK. Once I had a basic outline for the training, I created a survey that was available to all staff and shared the link through Viva Engage. I then collated the feedback and used it, alongside the information I had gathered, to create a lesson plan and produce the resources.

What does the course involve?

The first session is due to run at the end of September 2026. It will be a three-hour interactive session, combining information, videos and activities. The course will explore common misconceptions about ADHD, what ADHD is, how it is diagnosed, current theories about why some people have ADHD, what ADHD might look like, what support is generally available, and how someone with ADHD can be supported in the workplace.

I would love to run more sessions after this first course, helping to continue building awareness across ExtraCare.

What are your hopes for the training?

I hope that increased awareness will lead to a more supportive working environment, with reduced stigma and more opportunities for people with ADHD to thrive.

Do you think this course supports our wider Belonging at ExtraCare EDI strategy?

Yes. I hope that by sharing my story and increasing understanding of ADHD, the course will give other staff the confidence to ask for support and give colleagues the knowledge they need to support others.

My line manager, Carleen, has worked with me over the last couple of years to understand my strengths and support needs, and to put reasonable adjustments in place. That support has enabled me to thrive in my role and has greatly reduced the amount of burnout I experience.

As a result, I feel less stressed and more confident at work. I also have the energy to spend time with my family and achieve new goals outside of work which was something that felt impossible before.