Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive of The Yard, has been honoured by the King in the 2026 New Year’s Honours. The OBE for Services to Children and Families marks her 20th year leading a dynamic team working to improve the lives of families across Scotland.
The honour reflects the impact of a model of support built on inclusion, play and family wellbeing. It also comes in a milestone year for the charity, which is celebrating 40 years of supporting disabled children and their families.
A journey shaped by lived experience
Celine is driven by personal passion. She found The Yard after her son was diagnosed with autism and she struggled to find inclusive places where he could play.
At that time, The Yard was a small community project, offering a limited number of play sessions from a rundown centre in Edinburgh and facing possible closure.
What began as a personal search grew into a long-term commitment. Celine joined the Board in 2005 and became part-time Chief Executive in 2006.
Growing The Yard
From its early days as a small community project supporting around 50 children, The Yard has grown into a national Scottish charity. Today, it supports more than 3,600 disabled children and their families each year and employs over 80 staff.
The Yard now operates from inclusive centres across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife and Dundee. In 2025, a new centre opened in Glasgow, and the Dundee service reopened following a major transformation to create a fully accessible and welcoming space.
Alongside direct support for families, The Yard works nationally to strengthen collaboration, influence policy and promote a better understanding of meaningful inclusion.
Looking ahead
Celine said, “I am absolutely thrilled to have the contribution of The Yard model recognised in this way. It has been a chance to reflect on my 20-year career in the third sector and, more importantly, an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful team, paid and volunteers, who make The Yard what it is today. Our team provides a vital lifeline for thousands of families with a disabled child each year, who are at increased risk of poverty, isolation, and discrimination. Many of our families tell us that they often struggle emotionally and practically, feeling lost and alone when they learn that their child is on a different developmental path.
As I absorb this wonderful news, I want to reaffirm my commitment to the sector and the growing number of families who benefit from our care and support. As we continue to grow The Yard into a nationally recognised Centre of Excellence across Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow and Fife, I remain fully dedicated to our mission of fostering meaningful inclusion across Scotland.”
Ian Harris, Chair of the Board, said, “We are truly humbled to have Celine’s inspirational and dynamic leadership nationally recognised with an OBE for Services to Children and Families. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of the sector and the success of collaborative working with our many supporters and partners. Everyone wants to believe their job makes the world a better place and at The Yard, we know they do. Every day we are proud to witness the dedication of our team and what they achieve under Celine’s steerage and look forward to building new partnerships that further support children and families in Scotland.”
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