About Us
Dopamine Dolls was founded in January 2023 by Ashley Hope and Isla Urquhart, two women with ADHD who wanted to create something that didn't exist in the Highlands. A welcoming, peer-led space where women and non-binary people with ADHD could come together, share experiences and feel less alone.
Isla brought her energy, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to the early days of Dopamine Dolls before stepping back in August 2023 to welcome her baby and focus on her own brilliant businesses. We are so grateful for everything she brought to the beginning of this journey.
Ashley continued to build on that foundation, growing Dopamine Dolls into a registered charity with a dedicated board of trustees and a community that became something real and meaningful. Over three years, we came together for peer support groups, coffee catch-ups, Dopamine Daunders, Dopamine Discussions, creative workshops and more. We advocated for better ADHD services in the Highlands, raised our voices with NHS Highland and our local politicians, and built genuine friendships along the way.
In 2026, we made the decision to step back from our formal charity structure. Running a registered charity requires significant governance, compliance and administrative work and for a small, volunteer-led team, this had become unsustainable. We also noticed that what our community valued most wasn't the structure, it was the connection. Being around people who just get it, without pressure or expectation.
So we're evolving. Dopamine Dolls continues with the same name, same people and same warmth but now in a lighter, more flexible form. Once a month we get together for something fun: a walk, coffee, a picnic, or whatever we fancy. No agenda, no formal programme. Just friends meeting up.
We believe this is what serves our community best. And honestly, it feels like the right place to land.
Clinical diagnosis not required to be part of our community.