It`s World Food Day! 🍎🥕🥪
We know that supporting people to build life skills can open up new possibilities – helping them grow in confidence, feel good in themselves and take steps towards greater independence. And cooking is one of those life skills that does so much more than fill a plate! 👨🍳
Learning to plan, prepare and cook meals develops problem-solving, decision-making and everyday independence. It also empowers people to make healthier choices and take ownership of their wellbeing. Across our services, we focus on building confidence and self-esteem through practical skills like cooking, supporting individuals to thrive and fulfil their potential. 🍽
To learn more about our services, visit our website: https://www.donaldsons.org.uk/neurodiversity-support-services/
#WorldFoodDay #LifeSkills #NeurodiversitySupport
During Vibe’s recent visit to Callendar Park and Callendar House, the young people explored different parts of the historic house and took part in interactive activities that really brought history to life. 🏛
The group visited three areas of the old house, each showing what life was like in different time periods. Highlights included:
👉 Building a Roman wall with replica materials to learn ancient construction methods.
👉 Assembling a clock, piecing together its mechanisms to understand early timekeeping.
👉 Exploring a sensory room, where we tested historic kitchen tools and smells, including using a fire bellows, grinding sugar from blocks and trying on Georgian clothing.
Around the house, the group also discovered authentic Georgian household items and learned more about daily life in that era.
The visit was a fun, hands-on way to connect with history and experience it beyond the pages of a book. 😄
Supporter Spotlight ⭐
A huge thank you to the team at The Law Society of Scotland, who recently returned to our campus and dedicated their time to helping us transform our outdoor spaces.
From clearing our woodland pathways to painting our outdoor classroom and benches, their efforts have created spaces that the people we support can enjoy to their fullest potential. These improvements directly enhance learning, wellbeing and the everyday experiences for everyone who uses them.
We’re so grateful for their time and effort in helping us enhance these spaces – and what a difference they made! 👏
Today is World Mental Health Day, and this year`s theme is all about access to services.
At The Donaldson Trust, we`re deeply committed to this. Our support services are co-designed with the people we support to create a truly welcoming and friendly space where everyone can feel comfortable and be themselves.
We know that wellbeing isn`t an afterthought – it`s essential. That`s why we carefully embed wellbeing activities into daily life to help reduce anxiety and manage stress.
We put the wellbeing of everyone we support at the heart of what we do.
Find out more about our support services on our website: http://bit.ly/4gGNvW1
#WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #AccessToServices
We`re thrilled to share some great news for a few of the young people we support in Vibe!🤩
They`re taking another positive step forward by starting a 5-week transition taster course at West Lothian College (Official) . The goal is to give them a clear, low-pressure look at what further education can offer.
Over the five weeks, they`ll have the opportunity to:
– Tour the college campus.
– Meet the college team.
– Ask all their questions about different courses and life at college without the pressure of signing up.
This is a vital step in helping them explore their future options and gain confidence. Well done to everyone involved!
#PositiveDestinations #FurtherEducation #CollegeTransition
From Garden to Plate 🥕🍽
Creating a mini garden has been a fantastic new project for Liam at Treehouse. With the support of Wellbeing Practitioners, Irene and Kimberley, he sawed and sanded the wood, nailed the frame together and added a splash of colour with paint before planting his very first flowers.
For now, begonias are brightening up the planter until the growing season begins when Liam will move on to growing his own vegetables!
This is an exciting next step in Liam’s work towards achieving his SQA in Healthy Eating! The aim is for him to be involved in the full journey from garden to plate, gaining experience in planting, preparing and cooking meals. 👨🍳
Treehouse is our specialist wellbeing service for neurodivergent adults aged 16+ who require an individualised programme and bespoke environment to support and improve their wellbeing, skills development and independence. We provide safe, supportive spaces where young adults, like Liam, can thrive in their own way, with consistent routines designed around their interests, strengths and goals.
🔗 Find out more about Treehouse on our website: https://www.donaldsons.org.uk/treehouse/
📆 Something for the weekend?
Why not pop into the @dyslexiascotland drop-in DyslexiFest event in Stirling tomorrow, October 4th.
It`s completely free, and you can pop in anytime from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM to browse information, hear talks, and chat with staff and volunteers. Easy, helpful, and informative!
Talks Schedule:
11.00 – 12.00
Meet the Dyslexia Club! Bestselling author Margaret Rooke talks with some of the young people with dyslexia whose words helped with her new book. Encourage and inspire your 7 to 12 year olds.
12.15 – 1.15
How Mindmapping can help with dyslexia – with Darius Namdaran from ivvi.
12.30 – 1.45
Parent Masterclass – what is dyslexia and how you can support your child with Sharon Hall.
1.30 – 2.30
Meet the Dyslexia Club! Bestselling author Margaret Rooke talks with some of the young people with dyslexia whose words helped with her new book. Encourage and inspire your 7 to 12 year olds.
2.00 – 3.00
CALL Scotland – assistive technology to help with dyslexia
**Please note that talks cannot be booked in advance. Tickets for talks will be available on arrival but due to room capacity Dyslexia Scotland cannot guarantee places in any of the talks.
#DyslexiaSupport #DyslexiaAwareness
October is here, and that means it`s ADHD Awareness Month! 📣
In Scotland, research indicates that 2.5%–4% of adults and 5% of children have ADHD (and the actual number may be higher as some people choose not to seek a formal diagnosis).
So, why is raising awareness so important?
By increasing understanding, we can:
👉 Reduce Stigma – Challenge stereotypes and build a more inclusive society for everyone.
👉 Support Earlier Identification – Help people access the right support and tools when they need them most.
👉 Celebrate Strengths – Recognise the creativity, energy, and innovative thinking often found in ADHD minds.
At The Donaldson Trust, we are committed to creating neuroinclusive environments where all neurodivergent individuals feel supported and valued.
#adhdawareness #ADHD #Neurodiversity #Inclusion
