It`s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! ๐
โ
Christmas has officially arrived at The Donaldson Trust, and our festive elves have been busy adding sparkle and cheer across our Linlithgow campus. ๐
When it comes to decorating, we take care to display decorations that reflect personal sensory preferences to make sure everyone can enjoy the festive season comfortably โ like opting for steady lights instead of flashing lights to avoid sensory overload.
We have a very busy month ahead filled with many festive activities that we can`t wait to share with you all. Stay tuned! ๐
We`d like to say a big thank you to Carrongrange High School for inviting our Adult Services team to take part in their Moving On Festival last week. It was wonderful to meet so many families and young people, and to share how we can support the next steps into adult life. ๐
๐ฌ Alison French, Adult Services Lead, said:
"Transitioning from school to adulthood can be both exciting and overwhelming โ particularly for neurodivergent young adults and their families. Participating in events like the Moving On Festival offers a valuable opportunity to foster positive conversations about this transition and explore what meaningful support truly looks like."
With year round intake, we`re here to support neurodivergent young adults (16+) move towards a positive, independent future.
๐ If you missed the event and would like to find out more about our Adult Services, visit our website – click the link in our bio.
Weโre looking forward to this eveningโs Moving On Festival at Carrongrange High School ๐
Transitions from school to adulthood can be exciting, but they can also feel overwhelming – especially for neurodivergent young adults and their families. Thatโs why our Adult Services team will be there to share how we support young adults aged 16+ in building confidence, developing practical skills, and exploring opportunities for independence.
At the event, weโll be on hand to answer questions, provide guidance, and explain how our Adult Services can help neurodivergent young adults navigate this important stage of life with the right support and encouragement. Itโs a chance to learn more about the services we offer and see how we work alongside young adults and their families to create a future that truly fits.
Weโll be there from 4-7pm – come say hello, meet our friendly team, and find out how our services can help your young adult thrive as they move into adulthood. ๐
The pupils in our Sensational Learning Centre decided to take their learning outdoors recently! They planted fresh herbs โ mint, basil, coriander, parsley and thyme โ and experimented with different flavour combinations to discover which would make the tastiest tea. โ
At the heart of sessions like these is practical, hands-on learning. Whether itโs trying out new recipes, experimenting with flavours, or simply getting outdoors, these activities give pupils space to be creative, build new skills and take their learning beyond the classroom.
๐ Find out more about our Sensational Learning Centre on our website, link in our bio.
A big shoutout to Liam from our Treehouse service who recently took a fantastic step forward in his independence and confidence by making a delicious lasagne completely from scratch! ๐๐จโ๐ณ
Cooking is just one of the many hands-on activities helping Liam work towards his SQA qualifications, where heโs exploring areas such as Reduce, Reuse & Recycle, Developing Positive Relationships, and Working with Craft Tools.
Through these experiences, Liam is also gaining practical knowledge in baking, food preparation, and personal hygiene โ building life skills that empower him to grow, achieve and thrive every step of the way.
Amazing work Liam! ๐ฅณ
๐ To find out more about our Treehouse service, visit our website: https://www.donaldsons.org.uk/treehouse/
Weโd like to say a big thank you to everyone who joined us for our Gate Open Evening last night! ๐
ย
It was wonderful seeing you all exploring our spaces, meeting our team, and discovering how we support neurodivergent young adults (16+) to grow in confidence, build their independence, and shape a future that truly fits them.
ย
Weโd also like to shoutout our incredible team for making it all possible โ your dedication and care are what make Gate such a special place for young adults to grow and thrive.
But donโt just take our word for it โ the voices of the young adults we support, like Corrie, say it best.ย ๐
ย
If you werenโt able to make it, donโt worry โ we offer year-round intake and are always happy to talk about how we can help your young adult to take their next steps. ๐ฃ
ย
๐ Find out more about our Gate service and how to enquire on our website, link in our bio.
#LifeAfterSchool #Transitions #NeurodiversitySupport #AdultServices
Jamie who is supported by our Treehouse service recently worked with our Wellbeing Practitioner, Mark, using old boxes and recycled materials to create something truly his own. From cutting and sticking to painting, Jamie brought his ideas to life, designing buildings for Spiderman to swing between as he watches over the city. ๐จ๐
Creative activities like these aren`t just for fun, they:
โ
Encourage focus and attention,
โ
Provide sensory stimulation and regulation,
โ
Stimulate imagination and creativity,
โ
And overall provide a real sense of accomplishment.
At Treehouse, we know that giving space for creativity to flourish helps neurodivergent people express themselves and develop skills. Itโs more than just making things โ itโs about growing potential.
๐ Find out more about Treehouse on our website: https://www.donaldsons.org.uk/treehouse/
Meet Corrie, one of the amazing young adults we support at Gate. When she joined, she wasnโt sure what her next steps after school would look like. Now, sheโs discovering new skills, building her confidence and exploring new opportunities she never imagined. ๐
At Gate, we believe every neurodivergent young adult deserves the opportunity to thrive, find their place in the world, and build a future that fits. Our specialist, neurodiversity-informed support is designed to guide young adults toward independence, confidence, and wellbeing.
So if youโre wondering what comes next for your neurodivergent child after school, this is your chance to discover how Gate can support their journey. ๐
Come along to our Open Evening and meet the team, explore our spaces, and hear more stories like Corrieโs:
๐
Thursday 20th November
โฐ 5 – 7pm
๐ GATE, The Donaldson Trust, Preston Road, Linlithgow EH49 6HZ
To register for the event, click the link in our bio. ๐
