DD Charity Update - July 2023

School is out and the summer fun is well and truly in full swing!

This month we've teamed up with local Scottish organisation The Yard - a safe haven of play for disabled and special needs children and their famliies, The Yard is dedicated to providing social development, community inclusion, friendship building and an inclusive environment to help children thrive in the outdoors. With centers in locations across Scotland including Edinburgh, Dundee and Fife (with the hope to expland to the West coast soon!), The Yard is an invaluable resource to local Scottish families and their children.

Read on for more information!

"The Yard is a Scottish charity, which creates beautiful play havens for disabled children and young people, but even more than that, opportunities for fun, friendship and community building. Since 1986, we have been offering creative and inclusive play experiences in a well-supported environment, alongside wraparound support for the whole family. What began as a group of parents, teachers and social workers wanting to create a safe place for disabled children to play has become a reality, with our three sites in Dundee, Edinburgh and Fife, supporting over 2,000 children every year.

For many families with disabled children, it can be difficult to find a space where their child can play freely, as factors of inaccessible premises, judgment from others who do not understand the intricacies of their child’s disability, and lack of training of staff can limit the choices available. The Yard is a community centred around inclusion, kindness, and adventure – a place where everyone belongs. And as we do not require an official diagnosis, that means we can support disabled children and young people as soon as possible, as well as their families.

We offer a variety of programmes including drop-in sessions, youth clubs, early years support, family play sessions, and inclusive play and disability training. At the heart of everything we do is child-led free play where everyone is free to be who they are. When you come to The Yard, you are free to choose your own adventure: you can make a masterpiece in the art room, chill out in the sensory room, take part in activities planned by the play workers, or run free outside.

It is not unusual to see children at The Yard playing outside no matter the weather - in fact rainy days are often the most fun as water play and splashing about is a much loved sensory activity. With a range of outdoor options including bikes, rollerblading, den-making, and climbing, our play is centered around promoting risk-taking, independence, and creativity, all while giving carers peace of mind knowing that their child is safe and accepted.

As a charity, we are so grateful for donations such as these which help improve the play experience children and young people get at The Yard. Hammocks provide an excellent sensory space where people can play or enjoy the gentle rocking sensation, while tarpaulins protect from the rain and the sun (if we’re lucky!). Thank you to DD Hammocks for supporting The Yard!"

We hope that The Yard and all it's young patrons make the most of the summer with their new DD Charity Edition Hammocks and Tarps, and that the fun continues all year round for many more years to come!

To find out more about The Yard and the services they provide, you can find our more on their website and Facebook page.

As summer is here to stay, we want to get as many children, young people and adults into the outdoors as we possibly can!

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About the writer

Vikki

A regular on the hiking trails of Northern Scotland, Vikki loves nothing more than being in the great outdoors. When she's not pulling on her hiking boots or trail shoes, this DD Team Member can often be spotted in the gym or curled up at home with a sketchpad and pencil.