Weβre looking forward to this eveningβs Moving On Festival at Carrongrange High School π
Transitions from school to adulthood can be exciting, but they can also feel overwhelming – especially for neurodivergent young adults and their families. Thatβs why our Adult Services team will be there to share how we support young adults aged 16+ in building confidence, developing practical skills, and exploring opportunities for independence.
At the event, weβll be on hand to answer questions, provide guidance, and explain how our Adult Services can help neurodivergent young adults navigate this important stage of life with the right support and encouragement. Itβs a chance to learn more about the services we offer and see how we work alongside young adults and their families to create a future that truly fits.
Weβll be there from 4-7pm – come say hello, meet our friendly team, and find out how our services can help your young adult thrive as they move into adulthood. π
The pupils in our Sensational Learning Centre decided to take their learning outdoors recently! They planted fresh herbs β mint, basil, coriander, parsley and thyme β and experimented with different flavour combinations to discover which would make the tastiest tea. β
At the heart of sessions like these is practical, hands-on learning. Whether itβs trying out new recipes, experimenting with flavours, or simply getting outdoors, these activities give pupils space to be creative, build new skills and take their learning beyond the classroom.
π Find out more about our Sensational Learning Centre on our website, link in our bio.
A big shoutout to Liam from our Treehouse service who recently took a fantastic step forward in his independence and confidence by making a delicious lasagne completely from scratch! ππ¨βπ³
Cooking is just one of the many hands-on activities helping Liam work towards his SQA qualifications, where heβs exploring areas such as Reduce, Reuse & Recycle, Developing Positive Relationships, and Working with Craft Tools.
Through these experiences, Liam is also gaining practical knowledge in baking, food preparation, and personal hygiene β building life skills that empower him to grow, achieve and thrive every step of the way.
Amazing work Liam! π₯³
π To find out more about our Treehouse service, visit our website: https://www.donaldsons.org.uk/treehouse/
Weβd like to say a big thank you to everyone who joined us for our Gate Open Evening last night! π
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It was wonderful seeing you all exploring our spaces, meeting our team, and discovering how we support neurodivergent young adults (16+) to grow in confidence, build their independence, and shape a future that truly fits them.
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Weβd also like to shoutout our incredible team for making it all possible β your dedication and care are what make Gate such a special place for young adults to grow and thrive.
But donβt just take our word for it β the voices of the young adults we support, like Corrie, say it best.Β π
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If you werenβt able to make it, donβt worry β we offer year-round intake and are always happy to talk about how we can help your young adult to take their next steps. π£
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π Find out more about our Gate service and how to enquire on our website, link in our bio.
#LifeAfterSchool #Transitions #NeurodiversitySupport #AdultServices
Jamie who is supported by our Treehouse service recently worked with our Wellbeing Practitioner, Mark, using old boxes and recycled materials to create something truly his own. From cutting and sticking to painting, Jamie brought his ideas to life, designing buildings for Spiderman to swing between as he watches over the city. π¨π
Creative activities like these aren`t just for fun, they:
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Encourage focus and attention,
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Provide sensory stimulation and regulation,
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Stimulate imagination and creativity,
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And overall provide a real sense of accomplishment.
At Treehouse, we know that giving space for creativity to flourish helps neurodivergent people express themselves and develop skills. Itβs more than just making things β itβs about growing potential.
π Find out more about Treehouse on our website: https://www.donaldsons.org.uk/treehouse/
Meet Corrie, one of the amazing young adults we support at Gate. When she joined, she wasnβt sure what her next steps after school would look like. Now, sheβs discovering new skills, building her confidence and exploring new opportunities she never imagined. π
At Gate, we believe every neurodivergent young adult deserves the opportunity to thrive, find their place in the world, and build a future that fits. Our specialist, neurodiversity-informed support is designed to guide young adults toward independence, confidence, and wellbeing.
So if youβre wondering what comes next for your neurodivergent child after school, this is your chance to discover how Gate can support their journey. π
Come along to our Open Evening and meet the team, explore our spaces, and hear more stories like Corrieβs:
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Thursday 20th November
β° 5 – 7pm
π GATE, The Donaldson Trust, Preston Road, Linlithgow EH49 6HZ
To register for the event, click the link in our bio. π
It`s Book Week Scotland π
This annual celebration takes place across Scotland, where people of all ages and walks of life come together to share the joy of reading.
For us, reading plays a pivotal role in the lives of the people we support. They open doors to learning, creativity and personal growth, and for neurodivergent individuals, it can be a powerful tool for enhancing focus and communication. π¬
Whether they`re setting reading goals or using books and stories as a creative outlet and ways to express themselves, we see first hand just how important books are!
We`d like to give a special shoutout to @jkpbooks who champion neurodivergent voices by publishing work by neurodivergent authors. Thanks to their generous donation at the start of the year, the people we support have been able to explore these fantastic reads for themselves. π
Exploring Future Careers with Skills Development Scotland π
This Scottish Careers Week, we were joined by Dave and Gordon from Skills Development Scotland for a hands-on session all about drones and the growing careers connected to them.
The workshop showed how drones are becoming an everyday tool in the world of work β from surveying building sites to emerging uses in delivery services. It was a brilliant way for the pupils in our Sensational Learning Centre to see how new technology is opening up real job opportunities right here in Scotland. π‘
Sessions like these are incredibly valuable, giving pupils a chance to explore how industries are evolving and discover the exciting paths their skills and talents could lead them down in the future. A big thank you to Dave and Gordon for visiting us! π
#ScottishCareersWeek #SkillsDevelopment #FutureCareers
