Hannah Devery - 2024/2025 Grantee Spotlight Interview

We are delighted to see our funding and resources are helping  Hannah Devery to pursue her master degree in Psychology.

1. Tell us a bit more about yourself?

My name is Hannah Devery and I am a wife and Mum to a 4 year old. We are a neurodivergent household and my husband has POTs and CFS/Me. I am a specialist teacher and have a passion for students with neurodivergence.

2. What are you doing? 

I am currently converting my UK Psychology Masters to a New Zealand Educational Psychology Masters through Massey University, with the view to becoming a Psychologist. I am researching ADHD diagnosis in Adolescents and the impact their diagnosis has had to their identity, school and home lives.  

3. What inspired you to do what you’re doing?

I have always had a passion for children and psychology. I have been a teacher for 14 years and it has always been my dream to become a psychologist one day. I was diagnosed with ADHD myself in 2022 and ever since, have had passion for supporting others who are neurodivergent to figure out who they are and how to best live life with their unique brains. 

4. Why did you choose to focus on this topic?

This research topic is important to me as, although ADHD has had a lot of research over the years, there is still very little research giving the child's voice. Our cohort at university is focusing on the United Nations RIghts of the Child, one of which is the right for children to have a voice in decisions that impact them, this led me to researching the impacts ADHD diagnosis has had on adolescents lives, through hearing from those adolescents directly.

5. What made you decide to apply for an HealthCarePlus Grant for Good? (where did you hear about it)

I have had insurance through HealthCarePlus for a few years. My friend saw the grant and suggested I apply for it, as I had received a scholarship for a year's paid leave through NZ Teach, however due to my husband's disabilities I am currently the sole income provider of the home and a student loan would have meant a struggle for us financially. 

6. How was your experience in Appling for the grant?

I found the process straightforward and I had someone make contact who talked me through the application and gave me some guidance on how to apply. 

7. How has funding from HealthCarePlus helped?

As above, this has helped a great deal- it has meant I can actually complete the next step of my journey to becoming a Psychologist and provided us the stability we needed for me to be able to study.

8. What does this grant mean to you?

It meant a great deal. Life is tricky trying to provide for a husband with a disability and an autistic son so knowing my fees were funded and I didn't have to worry about this was a huge burden taken off our family. I would not have been able to study without this grant. 

9. What would you say to others considering but hesitant in applying for a grant?

Just apply- there's nothing to lose and everything to gain.

10. What advice would you give to future Grants for Good applicants?

Make sure your application is in line with the grants funding guidelines and share your journey and what it would mean to you.

11. What are you hoping to achieve?

I am hoping to eventually complete my Psychologist Internship to become a Psychologist and be able to continue work advocating for and supporting neurodivergent children and families.

12. In what way will your course help make a positive impact on others?

The main goal of my research is to share the voices of children diagnosed with ADHD, giving their perspective on what life is like living with ADHD and therefore, providing ideas to the adults and teachers around these children on how best to support them. 

If you are interested and want to know more this year's Grants for Good and how to apply for one then click below.