Edith’s story

Meet Edith

Edith is five years old and attends The Yard Fife. She loves running around the outdoor spaces, exploring the soft play equipment, hiding in the tents and playing with her mum, Kirsty. These are the moments that make her feel happiest, especially when she can decide how she wants to move, explore and play.

A place where Edith feels happy and confident

For Edith, The Yard is a space where she can be fully herself.
Whether she’s running ahead and checking that her mum is watching, drawing pictures, or reaching for the things that catch her interest, she can explore freely and at her own pace.

Mum, Kirsty, shared that Edith still talks about The Yard’s summer party, a memory that made her feel excited, included and understood.

What The Yard means for Edith’s family

Before coming to The Yard, Edith’s family often felt isolated, especially when others didn’t understand the way she experiences the world. They sometimes felt judged or out of place, unsure where they belonged.

That changed when they arrived at The Yard.

Kirsty describes how they were welcomed immediately, without judgement, and how much it meant to be in a space where Edith’s way of playing is encouraged rather than questioned.

“We feel safe, respected and included. Edith has built a lovely relationship with the staff, and we know we have somewhere to go without feeling like a burden or that we’re taking up a space we don’t belong in.”

Christmas at The Yard

This Christmas, Edith’s wishes are simple: more time to play, more moments in soft play and tents, and more of the books she loves!

For her mum, the best part of Christmas at The Yard is seeing children enjoy the space on their own terms, in an inclusive environment where every family feels welcome.

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Help create places where disabled children and their families can feel understood, supported and free to be themselves, just like Edith.

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AJ’s story

Christmas appeal photo, young boy with festive lights background

Meet AJ

AJ is three years old and attends The Yard Glasgow. He loves playing with dinosaurs and cars, and he’s happiest when he has space to explore and meet new friends. His mum, Jemma, shared that arriving at The Yard always feels special to him.

A place where AJ feels accepted

For Jemma, one of the most meaningful things about The Yard is the sense of welcome. She describes it as a place with no judgement and lots of support, where AJ can play in the way that works best for him and feel accepted and validated. The Yard team and volunteers make a big difference, too. Jemma calls them “amazing” for the way they support families and create a warm, understanding atmosphere.

Why The Yard matters to AJ’s family

For Jemma, The Yard has been a lifeline. She shared that, as AJ is currently undiagnosed, their family has sometimes felt dismissed or misunderstood elsewhere.
At The Yard, that changes. Here, she can talk with other families who understand and feel part of a community rather than on the outside of one. AJ looks forward to coming every week; he enjoys it so much that he even tells his parents how to get there.

Christmas at The Yard

This Christmas, AJ’s wish is simple: more opportunities to play, connect and enjoy the special moments that make him happiest.

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Help create places where disabled children and their families can feel understood, supported and free to be themselves, just like AJ and his mum.

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Oliver’s story

Oliver is six years old and attends The Yard Glasgow, where he explores the world through movement and sensory play.

Meet Oliver

Oliver is six years old and attends The Yard Glasgow. For him, the world can sometimes feel loud, overwhelming and full of sensations he can’t yet describe with words. But at The Yard, something different happens. He arrives, someone comes out to welcome him, and he beams. His mum says, “That’s how he knows he’s a prince.”

Oliver experiences The Yard through movement, sensation and joy. The wind across his face, the creak of the blue swing, the splash of water on his arms, these are moments that help him connect with the world in ways that feel safe and exciting.

Finding freedom through play

At The Yard, Oliver has the space to explore at his own pace. He runs with his arms out like an aeroplane, giggles as the grass tickles his toes, and shouts “Hiiii!” to the birds overhead.

He loves the water tray, watching sunlight dance on the surface as he lets the water fall through his fingers. In the sensory room, he presses and taps different textures, creating rhythms that our team often copy, much to his delight.
These experiences help him regulate his emotions, build confidence and express himself in ways that feel natural to him. It’s not just play, it’s his language.

A place where Oliver is truly understood

For Oliver, communication doesn’t happen through words, but at The Yard, our team understands his cues, his sensory needs, and the things that bring him comfort or spark imagination.

His mum says,

“Despite not yet being able to use his voice, others can see, hear and understand him.”

This understanding is at the heart of what makes The Yard feel like home.

What The Yard means for Oliver’s family

For his mum, Amy, The Yard is one of the few places where she can relax and simply enjoy being with her son. She shares: “It’s where I see him happiest and most relaxed. There’s no judgement here. We’re welcomed, accepted and supported. It’s become our extended family.”

Having both indoor and outdoor space means Oliver can choose how he wants to play, while Amy can follow his lead without fear that he’ll come to harm. She can sit back, breathe, and celebrate his discoveries.

Christmas at The Yard

This Christmas, Amy is looking forward to seeing children like Oliver enjoy festive sensory experiences in their own way; those small but precious moments matter most to families who attend our centres.

Oliver has a simple wish for the season, more singing, more music, more fun… and his own walkie-talkie!

At The Yard, those small wishes and everyday discoveries become the moments where children like Oliver truly belong.

Your donation can change lives

Help create places where disabled children and their families can feel understood, supported and free to be themselves, just like Oliver and his mum.

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Dundee families step up for The Yard

Next month, a group of 40 parents, children and staff from The Yard Dundee will be taking part in the Kiltwalk to raise vital funds for the refurbishment of our Dundee centre.

The £1.5M upgrade will transform The Yard Dundee into a fully accessible, year-round community hub for disabled children, young people and their families. The refurbishment includes a new roof, sensory room, Changing Places toilet, expanded play areas, communal kitchen and dining area, plus a vibrant outdoor garden.

While our centre is being transformed, we’ve continued to support families from temporary premises at Dundee East Community Sports Club, with summer holiday sessions running at Kingspark School. We’re so grateful to NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation for contributing £100,000 towards the outdoor space and donating two spaces for this year’s Kiltwalk.
Most of our amazing walkers will take on the four-mile Wee Wander, while a few brave souls will tackle the full 20-mile Mighty Stride. Among them are families like Cheryl and Rio, who are returning for their second year and inspiring others to join in.

Gill Thomson, our Service Development Manager at The Yard Dundee, will be walking alongside her two sons. She says:

“The fact that so many mums, dads and children have signed up is a real testament to how much The Yard means to them.
Four miles may feel like a big ask but we’re a strong and resilient community and are determined to do our best. All the summer fun at The Yard is keeping us fit and fired up for the big day!”

Long-time Yard mum Pamela Donaldson is also walking with her nine-year-old daughter, who has attended The Yard since she was three says:

“The Yard is a place where my daughter can just be herself and feel free. We’re so excited about the reopening and the opportunities the new building will bring. I don’t normally ask for sponsorship, but this is a cause I’m so passionate about. I don’t know what we would do without The Yard, or how we would have managed over the years without their support.”

So far, our wonderful supporters have already raised almost £1,000, but there’s still a way to go. Every donation will bring us closer to opening the doors of a bigger, better Yard Dundee this autumn!

Sponsor our walkers and help us finish the refurbishment of The Yard Dundee below

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A lifeline at The Yard Dundee

Despite facing serious health challenges, Ryan has found a safe, supportive space where he can truly be himself.

Ryan is five years old, and despite his young age, he’s already faced more challenges than most people experience in a lifetime. From birth, Ryan has been battling serious health conditions, including a life-changing illness that left him dependent on a six-foot oxygen tube.

Despite his challenges, Ryan has found a place where he can simply be himself – The Yard Dundee. For Ryan and his family, The Yard isn’t just a play space; it’s a lifeline.

Before discovering The Yard, Ryan’s world felt limited. That all changed when Stacey, Ryan’s mum, found The Yard through a friend’s recommendation. “It was amazing to discover that Ryan could run around with his six-foot oxygen tube, and no one looked at him any differently,” Stacey shares.

The Yard is also a place where Stacey can relax and connect with other parents who understand her journey. “I’ve made lots of friends through the parent/carers group,” she says. “It’s a place I can vent, ask questions, and get the answers I need. The staff are so well-trained and always know how to support us.”

Stacey is also excited about The Yard’s upcoming £1.5 million refurbishment, which will create more accessible spaces for children like Ryan. “It will be wonderful when The Yard has been refurbished and when they can offer even more to families like us,” she says. “There is literally nowhere else for Ryan and the other children to go as they grow. They have a right to be who they are, and The Yard makes that possible.”

Ryan, Stacey, and their family are just one example of the hundreds of children and families who rely on The Yard. With your support, we can create an even better space for children with disabilities and additional needs. A space where they can feel safe, supported, and most importantly, free to be themselves.

By helping us raise the remaining £300,000 for the refurbishment of The Yard Dundee, you’re not just contributing to a building—you’re contributing to the happiness and well-being of children like Ryan who truly need it.

Hear from Ryan’s family

Please Dig Deep

Disabled children in Dundee deserve an amazing, safe space to play. Dig deep for the Yard to help raise £300,000.  

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Explore the ways you can support our appeal

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Buy a Brick

We need 1,200 virtual bricks to complete The Yard Dundee’s transformation into a fully accessible, supportive space where disabled children and their families can thrive.

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Fundraise

Help us build a lasting space for families in Dundee, so no family feels alone. Your support will bring us closer to creating the community local families need. Let’s Dig Deep!

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Sponsor a room

Sponsoring a playroom, family room, or sensory space puts you at the heart of a generous group of Dundonians who are helping to create a place for families, right here in Dundee.

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Corporate support

We’ll work with you to tailor ways your company can support us and meet your business objectives. We’d love to talk to you about the role that your company can play in changing lives.

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Your support can light up lives like Emily’s

Christmas traditions have changed for the O’Malleys, but Emily’s happiness shines through at The Yard.

This Christmas, we’re asking for your help to light up lives. By supporting The Yard, you can give a child like Emily a safe and joyful space to be themselves, surrounded by friends and fun.

Help us support more children like Emily
Donate now and light up lives

Light up a life

Emily O’Malley, 15, lives in Penicuik with her mum, dad, sister Abbie, and their dog, Ollie. Emily has ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities, and her sister Abbie, who is 18, also has ADHD and autism.

Christmas in the O’Malley household has always been a special time, but it’s changed over the years as the family has learned more about the girls’ diagnoses. What was once a traditional Christmas now feels a bit more like a regular day, but it’s still special in its own way.

In the past, the family would insist on everyone sitting together for breakfast, opening presents, and enjoying a big Christmas dinner. Now, the approach is more relaxed. “We still come together to open presents and share at least one course of dinner, but after that, if the girls want to chill in their room, that’s fine,” says Emily’s mum. “We don’t insist they stay with everyone the way we used to. It’s about respecting their space and making sure they’re comfortable.”

This flexibility extends to their Christmas meal, too. “Last year, Abbie chose to have haggis, neeps, and tatties for her dinner, while the rest of us had turkey. If they eat, I’m happy—it doesn’t need to be a traditional meal,” adds Emily’s mum. While these changes don’t always sit well with visitors, the O’Malleys are focused on making sure the girls are happy and at ease.

Emily joined The Yard in 2023, and it has quickly become her happy place. “She’s just so different when she’s there,” her mum says. “She’s relaxed, comfortable, and herself without anyone judging her. She happily talks to the staff, something she doesn’t even do with her teachers at school.” Emily loves spending time outside at The Yard, even when it’s cold and dark.

Her mum shares a story of sneaking a peek through the fence and seeing Emily riding around on the bikes and trikes, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s such a joy to see her so happy. She’s not bothered by the cold; she’s just having fun—it warms my heart.”
The connections Emily has made at The Yard have been wonderful. She’s made friends there and even chats with them outside of sessions. “She’s planning to meet up with some of her friends during the play sessions over the holidays,” her mum says.

The staff at The Yard have been incredible in supporting Emily. “They’re all so amazing with her,” says her mum. “She talks about them to us after every session, which is huge because she doesn’t usually open up like that. She trusts them, and that means the world to us.”

Emily’s dad also got involved with The Yard’s fundraising efforts, taking part in our October Firewalk event. Emily was there supporting him and even joined him for his 50km walk/run challenge for his 50th birthday. “When we told people the walk was for The Yard, Emily had this cheeky grin. She was so proud,” says her mum.

Emily is really looking forward to the Youth Club party this year. She’s excited to spend time with her friends and be part of the special event. The O’Malley family knows that The Yard will provide the stability and support Emily needs during the holidays.
“Emily will have a familiar place to go, a safe space to spend time with friends, and the chance to just be herself,” her mum says. “We’re so grateful for everything The Yard does for her, and we can’t wait to see what the Youth Club party will be like!”

For the O’Malleys, The Yard isn’t just another service—it’s a life-changing place where Emily can feel like she truly belongs.

Help us support more children like Emily
Donate now and light up lives

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Edinburgh boxers raise nearly £3,000 for The Yard

A team of boxers from Lochend Boxing Club have raised nearly £3,000 for The Yard by completing the challenging Lairig Ghru hike.

Eleven boxers from Edinburgh’s Lochend Boxing Club have raised almost £3,000 for The Yard after completing the challenging Lairig Ghru hike, one of Scotland’s most iconic hill passes.

The team, aged between 26 and 60, took on the 19-mile trek through the Cairngorms, reaching an altitude of 835 metres in just over nine hours. This fundraising effort follows their successful Ben Nevis hike last year.

The challenge was led by Ciara O’Connor, a local mum whose son attends The Yard. Ciara shared, “Lochend Boxing Club is a supportive and welcoming place, and The Yard has been the same for our family. We wanted to give back, and the response from everyone has been incredible.”

Celine Sinclair, our CEO, added, “We’re so grateful to Ciara and the Lochend Boxing Club team for their amazing effort. Their support reflects the values we hold at The Yard – community, adventure, and inclusion. The funds raised will make a real difference to the families we support.”

The money raised will help us continue offering vital services to children with additional support needs and their families across Edinburgh, Dundee, and Kirkcaldy.

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Making Memories at The Yard

The Gladstone family share 3 year old Miles’ first successful Christmas party at The Yard.

Meet Miles

Christmas – an opportunity to relax with family and friends, a time for welcoming visitors and visiting loved ones. But for families with a child or children with additional needs, Christmas can be a time for further stress.

What makes Christmas joyous for some can create apprehension and angst for others, especially parents whose children might be misunderstood and whose needs might not be considered.

For Vicky and Martin Gladstone, who live in Edinburgh with their three-and-a-half-year-old son Miles, many typical Christmas kids’ activities are out of bounds.

Miles is currently undergoing assessment for ASD / ADHD and attending Speech and Language Therapy.  Easily overwhelmed in busy, noisy places and with limited speech, the family have often struggled to find somewhere suitable for Miles to play. And when it came to Christmas, parties and Santa’s grottoes were simply out of the question.

Miles with his mum and dad, Vicky and Martin: image supplied by the Gladstone family.

Vicky explained, “For us, parties and playdates were sometimes more trouble than they were worth. As a result, Miles has missed out on a few and been excluded from others. Some parents maybe viewed him as too disruptive or unpredictable. Miles struggles with too much noise, crowds and loud music so festive markets, Santa’s grottoes and Christmas parties generally never work and can actually be pretty intimidating for Miles.

“He’s also a selective eater and finds it hard to queue and wait his turn. He can also be more physical than other children. Generally, other children don’t seem to mind but the reaction of other parents can be really hard. Some of them also hold grudges – it’s tough to be on the receiving end, so we’ve often just avoided certain events.”

However, after Miles’ first successful Christmas party at The Yard last year, the family are gearing up for this year’s celebration!  

With The Yard supporting children from birth to the age of 25, Miles and his parents are at the very start of their journey with endless opportunities ahead, many friends to make and activities to enjoy.

Summing up, Vicky said, “We’re so pleased and relieved that we’ve found The Yard and that really hits home at Christmas time we can enjoy the things we might have missed out on. Since discovering The Yard in 2021, we’ve found a place where Miles can be himself and relax. That’s just the best feeling for him and for us – coming to The Yard is the highlight of Miles’ week.”

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