It`s Fundraising Friday! 🥳
This October, turn your miles into opportunities by taking on the Great Scottish Run for The Donaldson Trust.
Whether you`re taking on the 10K or the half marathon, your support will help create opportunities for neurodivergent children, young people and adults to thrive.
Sign up, join the #DonaldsonClan, and be part of a community that`s making a lasting difference – one step at a time. 👣
🔗 Visit the link in our bio to find out more and register today!
A familiar face in a brand-new space! 😄
At The Donaldson Trust, true neuro-inclusion starts with creating environments where every individual feels safe, valued and understood. That vision is brought to life by our colleagues, which is why we’re thrilled to introduce the Sensational Learning Centre’s newest team member – Edith!
You may remember Edith from her time working supply in our Bistro last year. Now, she’s returning to campus to step in to a brand-new role as a Learning and Wellbeing Practitioner.
And what better way to introduce her than by sharing her personal Dopa-menu! 📝
Just as a menu offers different choices to satisfy different tastes, a Dopa-Menu is a customised framework of activities that boost dopamine, support regulation and overall makes you happy.
Much like her time serving in the Bistro, Edith’s menu is all about creating comfort and connection – and she’s bringing her warm, open approach straight into her practitioner toolkit.
Please join us in giving Edith a warm welcome back to Donaldsons! 👋
Last night, Channel 4 aired their documentary: "The Great ADHD Myth?”
We welcome informed and evidence-based discussion about ADHD and the support available to neurodivergent people. The media has an important role to play in improving understanding of neurodivergence and encouraging constructive debate about how people access assessment, diagnosis and support.
However, we are concerned that The Great ADHD Myth did not offer a balanced view of ADHD and lived experience. There is a risk that viewers may come away questioning whether ADHD is a real condition, despite ADHD being recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the NHS and leading clinical bodies as a neurodevelopmental difference.
Click the link in our bio and head to "News & Views" to read our full response. 💬
When mainstream school became a challenge, one young person in our Vibe service found their turning point through music. 🎶
Author and Creative Writing Tutor, Iain McKinnon, took a personalised approach – using the young person`s passion for the guitar to teach lyric structure and storytelling. What started as quiet songwriting sessions quickly transformed into the young person achieving their National 3 qualifications, a spot at music college and performing live on stage!
As Iain put it:
"These young people who had disconnected from school are now engaging with things they are truly passionate about, and they`re succeeding."
This story is a powerful reminder of what happens when young people get a safe space to rediscover their confidence and find their voice. 📣
🔗 Click the link in our bio and head to our website to read the full story.
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 a new school year begins, we know it can bring a whole mix of emotions. 📚
In this special message, Angela Evans, Head of Learning Services, shares some reassuring words for neurodivergent pupils everywhere who are preparing for their return to school.
Whether you’re feeling excited, anxious, overwhelmed, or a little bit of everything, it’s okay. New beginnings and transitions can take time, and it’s important to approach them at a pace that feels right for you. 🩵
At our Sensational Learning Centre, we’ve been getting everything ready for the new school year, creating welcoming spaces where every pupil can feel safe, understood and supported.
Wherever you’re starting the new school year, we hope Angela’s message reminds you to be kind to yourself and take it one day at a time. 🥰
Exam results week is a crucial reminder for employers: traditional hiring practices often miss extraordinary talent.
With youth unemployment at an 11-year high, businesses can`t afford to let rigid hiring practices hold them back.
Traditional interviews and a heavy reliance on academic achievement frequently screen out neurodivergent candidates who bring exceptional skills, fresh perspectives and innovative ways of thinking to the table.
It`s time to evaluate HOW we hire, not just WHO we hire. When we strip away unnecessary barriers in recruitment, we unlock a massive pool of potential.
This exam results week, let`s remember that grades are just one measure of potential.
Because there`s #NoWrongPath to success.
#Neurodiversity #Inclusion #Recruitment #ResultsDay #TalentManagement #Neurodivergent #Hiring
Results week can feel like a lot of pressure.
If your results show the hard work you have put in, you should be proud of that. You have earned it.
But your results are not the whole story.
This year, you might have learned how to handle tough days. You might have found your voice, built confidence, or kept going when things felt difficult.
Those things matter too.
There is no one “right” path. Some people go to university. Others choose college, apprenticeships, work or something different. Many people change direction along the way.
Your future is not decided by one set of results.
Take your time. Be proud of what you have done, in and out of school.
#NoWrongPath #ResultsDay #YourJourney #SkillsForLife #ExamResults
