#TransformationTuesday
Our Sensational Learning Centre playground got a fresh new look over the summer break! 👀
The surface has been fully replaced in a calm, non-overstimulating colour for pupils who may experience sensory sensitivities, reducing visual glare and promoting comfort during play.
Its high contrast with skin tones and clothing also makes BSL handshapes, movements, and facial expressions clearer, ensuring effective communication in the playground. 💬
Before work began, pupils were invited to help choose the new surface, and their feedback was central to making sure the playground feels just right for them.
The result is an inclusive space where everyone can play, connect, and communicate with one another. 😄
A huge thanks to Abacus Playgrounds and Logan Landscapes & Groundworks for all their hard work to complete the project! ⭐
What a great session at West Lothian College last Thursday, when we delivered our Introduction to Neurodiversity training to 22 engaged and enthusiastic staff members.
We had some excellent discussions on making the college environment more neuro-inclusive and providing better support for everyone – colleagues and students.
It was an inspiring start to our partnership with the college, and we’re looking forward to our continued work together!
#Neurodiversity #Inclusion #Education #Training
@west_lothian_college
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐃𝐇𝐃 `𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬` 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝: 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞`𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐲
The Donaldson Trust warmly welcomes the recent parliamentary focus on existing assessment and support provisions in Scotland for autistic people and people with ADHD.
𝐖𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞, ‘𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬’-𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 – in keeping with a recent paper by The Royal College of Psychiatrists and the work of the National Autism Implementation Team at Queen Margaret University. http://bit.ly/45Hokh8
To better identify current service gaps, inform the design of service interventions that address unmet needs, and enable genuine system-level accountability, the Scottish Government must:
– Collect and analyse comprehensive data on autism and ADHD assessments.
– Include current waiting times in this data.
– Publish this data quarterly.
You can read our full response to the inquiry on the website link in our Bio or visit www.donaldsons.org.uk.
#Autism #ADHD #Support
@rcpsych @qmuni @scotgov
Last week, we kicked off the new term with our In-Service Day, bringing our colleagues together to reconnect, share ideas, and prepare for the year ahead. ✅
It was fantastic to welcome back our Sensational Learning Centre and Vibe teams after the summer break and to collaborate with colleagues from across the Trust.
A special thank you to Prof Richard Mills for joining us on campus in the afternoon to deliver a thought-provoking SPELL training session. 👏
The session provided valuable insights and practical strategies that will empower our colleagues to enhance support across all our services by tailoring environments and approaches to meet individual needs.
After a productive day together, we’re ready to embark on another year of learning, growth, and plenty of fun. 😄
Here’s to a successful year ahead!
Today marks 10 years since Lydia, our Vibe Team Lead, joined us at The Donaldson Trust. So what better excuse than this to get to know a little more about her and her journey over the last decade? 🥳
Lydia plays a key role in the Vibe team. Her calm presence, thoughtful approach and dedication have helped shape Vibe into the welcoming and supportive space it is today.
Over the years, she has been instrumental in supporting many young people who have walked through our doors. Creating a space where they feel safe, heard and understood. 👏
A huge thank you to Lydia for everything she’s brought to the Trust over the last 10 years – we’re so lucky to have her as part of the team. Happy work anniversary Lydia! 🎉
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Vibe is our dedicated wellbeing service specifically designed for neurodivergent young people aged 12-18 who are currently not in full-time mainstream education and need tailored support to re-engage with learning.
🔗 Visit our website to find out more, click the link in our bio.
We’ve wrapped up the first week of the new term — and what a great start it’s been. 😄
It was a pleasure to welcome everyone back to campus at our Sensational Learning Centre and Vibe. We’re looking forward to the year ahead — full of opportunities to learn, grow, and celebrate achievements together. 👏
Here’s to another year of creating spaces where every young person can thrive! 🥳
As we get ready to welcome the pupils back to our Sensational Learning Centre, we know that this time of year can bring mixed emotions – not just for the children and young people, but for their families too. 🏫
That’s why Angela, our Head of Learning Services, has shared a warm welcome message to help everyone ease into the new school year, with a few gentle reminders along the way.
Whether your child is feeling excited, anxious, or somewhere in between, we’re here to help them settle in at their own pace. 🥰
Books offer endless opportunities to learn, grow, and relax, and we love seeing the people we support embrace the joy of reading. 📚
Last year during Book Week Scotland, Corrie – a young adult supported by our Gate service – set herself a goal to finish reading `Candyfloss` by @jacquelinewilson_hq.
This summer, she reached that goal. ✅
Ahead of #NationalBookLoversDay tomorrow, we caught up with Corrie to hear more about what the book meant to her, what helped her stick with it, and what she’s planning to read next.
Whether you read to relax, escape, learn or laugh – everyone’s reading journey is different, and every story counts. 👏
Corrie’s achievement is a brilliant example of what Gate is all about. Based on our Linlithgow campus, Gate is our skills development and training service for neurodivergent people aged 16+. It supports individuals to build confidence, resilience, and wellbeing – helping them to set and achieve their own goals.
🔗 To learn more about Gate, visit our website by clicking the link in our bio.
