You can do this: How to build confidence with numbers

Many people feel anxious or uncomfortable when it comes to numbers. This could be due to negative school experiences, neurodiversity, or a belief that they’re just "not a maths person." These feelings and experiences can make it harder to engage with numeracy later in life.

Maths anxiety is real and can cause stress, avoidance, and even physical symptoms. But it’s important to know that everyone can improve their numeracy skills with time, practice and the right support.

This guide provides practical tips and strategies for helping yourself and others to build confidence with numeracy. Using a strengths-based approach, we start by recognising what you already know and can do, even if you don’t think of it as maths. We’ll also explore ways to tackle maths anxiety, share tips for supporting people with neurodivergent conditions like ADHD or dyscalculia, and suggest ways to make numeracy feel more accessible, relevant, and fun.