Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Gate Open Evening yesterday! 😄
We loved welcoming families into our neuro-inclusive space – and sharing how Gate supports neurodivergent young adults aged 16+ to find a future that fits them.
At Gate, we work alongside young adults as they explore what comes next after school, whether that’s further education, training, volunteering or employment. With personalised development plans, wellbeing-focused support and a team who truly understands, Gate offers more than just a service – it’s a place to grow. 🌳
💬 Missed the Open Evening but want to learn more?
📩 Get in touch: info@donaldsons.org.uk
Vibe`s Scavenger Hunt! 🚌🗺️
This week, a group of young people in Vibe took on a fun and practical challenge as they travelled independently by bus to Livingston Centre. Armed with only a list of scavenger hunt challenges, a meeting time, and a return deadline to our campus, each team had to navigate their own journey – planning bus routes, figuring out where to wait, and managing their time carefully to fit in lunch and complete as many challenges as possible.
The challenges were designed to be both creative and engaging – from finding shops that sold specific items, striking various fun poses in front of landmarks, to snapping photos of specific shop signs. But it wasn’t just for fun: the Vibe team intentionally included places they may need to visit in the future, such as banks, the job centre, and college. ✅
Each team approached the scavenger hunt differently, showcasing teamwork, problem-solving, and independence. We’re so proud of how they rose to the challenge – and we’re looking forward to tallying up the points and announcing the winning team!
Activities like this offer real-world learning opportunities that help young people build essential life skills in a meaningful and enjoyable way. As they approach transition age – whether that’s moving into further education, employment, or independent living – these experiences can be key to boosting confidence and readiness. 😄
A day to remember at the Linlithgow Marches!
Our ‘Out of This World Entertainment’ float – created around the theme of aliens invading the circus – was designed and built by the children, young people and young adults we support, with help from our dedicated team.
From glowing UFOs to circus-inspired details, it was great to see their ideas come to life and be enjoyed by the wider community. Not to mention taking first prize – something they are all really proud of!
Days like these offer more than just a creative outlet. They provide an opportunity for the people we support to build confidence, work together, and engage with the local community and its traditions.
A huge thank you to the Linlithgow Marches and The Deacons Court and our brilliant Donaldson team for making it all possible – and to everyone who cheered us on and made us feel part of something special.
#linlithgow #community #inclusion
Just one week to go until our Gate Open Evening! 👏
If your child is leaving school and you`re exploring what`s next, come and discover how our Gate service helps neurodivergent young adults find a future that fits.
Come along to meet our team, ask questions, and explore our neuro-inclusive spaces.
📅 Thursday 19 June 2025
🕔 5 to 7pm
📍 The Donaldson Trust, Preston Road, Linlithgow EH49 6HZ
🔗 RSVP via the link in our bio.
Tuesday’s approval, by MSPs, of the Scottish Government’s Care Reform (Scotland) Bill brings to a close a long-running chapter of proposals for reform of social care in Scotland.
We supported this legislation and, while we remain disappointed that many of the original proposals were not followed through, positive change should now come if it is implemented in full.
Independent advocacy is an essential component of genuine neuro-inclusion, and we are encouraged by a commitment in this new law around improving and widening access to advocacy.
The Donaldson Trust is strongly supportive of a general right to independent advocacy for all neurodivergent people and their families, in all settings. Ensuring greater consistency, transparency, and accountability across social care settings in Scotland must remain on the Scottish Government’s agenda. We continue to believe that can only be delivered through the national oversight of social care. We back calls from @alliance.scot in this respect.
To read our full response, click the link in our bio and go to `News & Views`. 🔗
#CareReform #CareReformBill #SocialCare
Supporter Spotlight ✨
Meet Jenna, a parent of one of the young people in our Sensational Learning Centre, who raised an incredible £300 through a community raffle – all to create joyful, active experiences for the whole school.
Thanks to Jenna’s efforts, the young people recently enjoyed a taster Hula Hooping session with Hoop Fitness Dance, with a full block of sessions planned for after the summer holidays. And to top it all off, an ice cream van visit is coming to campus in the final weeks of term! 🍦🎉
💬 “We are our voice for our ASN kids – I just wanted to give them something exciting, new, and see them smiling.”
We’re so grateful for supporters like Jenna who go the extra mile to make a difference for neurodivergent young people.
Thinking about supporting The Donaldson Trust? As Jenna says: “Big or small – it all makes a difference.”
Find out more on our website, click the link in our bio and go to `Get Involved`. 🔗
#SupporterSpotlight #GetInvolved #Fundraising
Are you passionate about supporting neurodivergent children and young people to thrive? This could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for! 👇
We’re looking for a Learning and Wellbeing Practitioner to join our team in the Sensational Learning Centre. Based on our campus in Linlithgow, our school provides a safe, nurturing environment for neurodivergent children and young people who face challenges in traditional mainstream education settings.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a supportive and dynamic school community, committed to high-quality teaching and learning. You’ll play a key role in creating a safe and engaging learning environment where difference is celebrated, and inclusion is actively built.
🔗 To find out more and apply, click the link in our bio and go to `Work With Us`.
⏰ Applications close: Friday 20th June at 9am
Looking for a meaningful way to bring your team together? 😄
This #VolunteersWeek, we’re inviting you and your colleagues to roll up your sleeves, step out of the office, and spend a day making a difference at The Donaldson Trust.
You might get your hands dirty creating a sensory garden or improving one of our woodland walks. Or you might be handy with a paintbrush! We’ve got a whole host of projects you can do to improve wellbeing areas for the children, young people and adults we support to enjoy. 🌳🎨
It’s team building with purpose – and we’d love to have you on board!
Interested in joining us? Email us at: GetInvolved@donaldsons.org.uk to find out more. 📧
#VolunteersWeek #GetInvolved #VolunteerDays #VolunteerOpportunities
