At Donaldson’s, we don’t decide how or what people should learn. We work with each individual to tailor support to their interests, providing learning opportunities that meet their needs. And when young people learn by doing something they enjoy, they become more confident, and feel good about themselves.
One of the young people supported by our Vibe service recently took part in the Wave Project run by @lostshore 🏄
The six-week programme provides a supported introduction to surfing, and each participant is paired with a dedicated surf mentor who offers encouragement, guidance and support.
Surfing has many benefits, including the boost to wellbeing that comes with exercising and spending time outdoors. As the young person has an interest in open water swimming, the programme offered a way to build on this in a safe, structured and supportive environment.
The young person was encouraged to progress at their own pace, set personal goals and challenge themself in ways that felt achievable and meaningful, all while enjoying the benefits of exercise and spending time outdoors.
Many of the young people we support have been out of mainstream education for some time, and may have lost connection with their peers. They may feel anxious about making new friends, so programmes like this are very important in creating opportunities to meet people with shared interests and make connections.
The young person thoroughly enjoyed learning new skills. Over time, they developed greater self-belief and resilience, particularly when faced with new or unfamiliar situations.
The experience has also created lasting positive memories and a sense of achievement. The young person’s parents said that the programme has been life-changing for them.
As confidence and skills develop, participants may have the opportunity to progress into the surf club where they can continue their involvement and potentially take on mentoring roles themselves in the future.
Calling all thrill-seekers this #FundraisingFriday! 📣
We have an incredible opportunity for you to experience a SAS-style abseil off this iconic Scottish landmark!
We have only 5 exclusive places available, and we’re looking for brave adventurers to join the Donaldsons Clan.
We kindly ask each individual to aim for a £250 fundraising target. Hitting this target helps us support neurodivergent people. Your fundraising will go directly toward creating opportunities for them to:
👉 Build confidence in a supportive environment
👉 Discover their strengths and unique talents
👉 Achieve their personal goals and future ambitions
With only 5 spots up for grabs, you’ll need to move quickly to secure your place! Are you ready to take the leap?
To register or find out more:
📧 Email: getinvolved@donaldsons.org.uk
☎️ Call: 01506 841 931
Ready for a fresh start?
Everybody looks forward to the start of a new term. A fresh school year, a clean slate and the perfect moment to spark something exciting in your career! If you’ve been waiting for a sign to step into a new, deeply rewarding opportunity, this is it.
We’re hiring a Term-Time Learning and Wellbeing Practitioner to join our expanding team here at the Sensational Learning Centre in Linlithgow!
We’re looking for someone who:
👉 has experience supporting individuals with additional support needs
👉 has a good understanding of safeguarding
👉 is a confident communicator with strong reading and writing skills (National 4 or equivalent in English and Maths)
👉 can respond flexibly while providing consistent, structured support
Ready to make this school year your best career move yet? Find out more and apply here: https://www.donaldsons.org.uk/current-vacancies/
⏰ Closing Date: Sunday 26th July 2026
🗓️ Confirmed interview date: Thursday 30th July 2026
Day trips not only offer fun experiences for the young people we support, they are also opportunities to build confidence, strengthen friendships and develop life skills.
The pupils at our Sensational Learning Centre recently enjoyed an unforgettable trip to @blairdrummondsafaripark, generously gifted by the Rotary Club.
The young people took an active role in planning their day, deciding which animals and areas they most wanted to visit and organising their time to make sure they could see everything that interested them. Using maps, reading timetables, and working out travel times between attractions helps to develop important skills in planning, decision-making, problem-solving and independence.
The trip also provided a wonderful opportunity for the young people to spend quality time together, sharing new experiences and creating lasting memories. Oh, and everyone agreed that the ice cream was awesome too!
A huge thank you to the Rotary Club for their generosity. We are incredibly grateful to them for making this fantastic experience possible.
To find out more about the Sensational Learning Centre, visit the link in our bio.
At Donaldsons, we are dedicated to helping neurodivergent people thrive. An essential aspect of how we support young neurodivergent people is creating opportunities to try new things and enjoy being out in the community. We do this by supporting young people to develop important life skills like using public transport, making purchases in shops and ordering in cafés. This also helps to reduce anxiety and build confidence.
Some of the pupils from our Sensational Learning Centre recently took a trip to Linlithgow Burgh Halls to visit the café. While they were there, they noticed there was an exhibition on in the gallery – Homecoming by @leodufeu – and decided to visit.
They spent time looking at the artworks, and had lively discussions about which were their favourites and why.
This shows the importance of building confidence in the community: as the young people felt comfortable going to the café, they were more open to trying something new by visiting the exhibition. As a result, they had a mini-adventure on their doorstep and enjoyed an experience they might not have had otherwise.
To find out more about our Sensational Learning Centre, visit the link in our bio.
Take on the Great Scottish Run for The Donaldson Trust in October! @great_run
Whether you`re aiming for the 10K or half-marathon, every mile you run will help create opportunities for neurodivergent children, young people and adults to thrive. Sign up, join the #DonaldsonClan, and make every step count.
Find out more and register today at the link in our bio.
Outdoor sporting activities have many benefits for young neurodivergent people. As well as the mood-boosting effects of exercise and spending time outside in the fresh air, they present opportunities to build confidence, face challenges and overcome obstacles.
Young people supported at our Vibe service recently had a trip to Stirlingshire for a mountain biking session with an instructor from Lifecycle Trust.
Before getting started, the young people were taught how to ride safely and carry out basic bike safety checks.
They began on the pump track, which required a good level of balance, coordination and skill. They then progressed onto the green trail routes, allowing the young people to build their skills and confidence in a controlled way. The group also successfully tackled a steep descent and a stream crossing.
The activity encouraged the group to work together to solve problems and evaluate risks along the course. This helped to strengthen relationships as they shared successes, supported one another, and celebrated achievements together.
As they developed new skills and completed increasingly difficult sections of the course, the young people gained a real sense of achievement. The experience encouraged them to:
– believe in their own capabilities
– develop a positive attitude towards trying new things
– see that setbacks and challenges can be overcome with perseverance and support
We would like to thank Endura for such a fantastic day. The young people had a wonderful time taking part in a fun and engaging activity and made some great memories together.
Vibe is a wellbeing service designed for young people aged 12-18 who are not in full-time attendance in mainstream education and require support to re-engage with learning. You can find out more about our support at Vibe and read more about the Vibe Lifecycle Trust Challenge on our blog – link in bio.
For young neurodivergent people, new experiences and day trips help build confidence, encourage independence, and create opportunities to connect with the wider community in a meaningful way.
The young people supported at our Sensational Learning Centre recently enjoyed a fantastic day out on the Union Canal, thanks to a generous gift experience organised by the Seagull Trust.
The trip was filled with fun and laughter as the group travelled from Linlithgow to Falkirk. Experiencing the incredible Falkirk Wheel was a real highlight of the day.
The impact of this trip went far beyond the day itself. For the young people we support, being out and about, meeting new people, and sharing experiences together helps strengthen social skills, self-belief, and a sense of belonging.
A huge thank you to the Seagull Trust for creating such a memorable experience.
To find out more about our Sensational Learning Centre, visit the link in our bio.
