Hyslop Marks Donaldson Trust Strategy at Parliament Reception
Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop has hosted The Donaldson Trust, based in Linlithgow, at the Scottish Parliament this week (28th January) to mark their new 10 year strategy in supporting neurodiversity and neurodivergent children and young people in Scotland.
Guests from different organisations and MSPs were informed about The Donaldson Trust’s future plans, partnership working and heard from the individuals that it supports. There was also a viewing of short animation ‘Walk in my Shoes’ where a young woman spoke of her own experiences how Donaldson’s has been able to support her as she continues her journey to adulthood.
Speaking after the event, Fiona said,
“I was delighted to welcome the Donaldson Trust to Parliament, as the local MSP for Linlithgow, I have been involved with their work for many years and am aware of the important services they offer for the young people they support.
“The reception marked a new chapter in Donaldson’s history, one which will focus on a partnership approach to improving the understanding of neurodiversity across Scotland and focus on their already successful Connect and #JunX10n services.
“The animation shown to guests at the Scottish Parliament was both touching and very personal and I would like to thank Erin for sharing her personal experiences with us and to those and Donaldson’s and media company Muckle Hen who helped her put her thoughts and feelings into animation and creating such an important and eye opening film.
“All of our children need support to learn and to thrive and I was pleased to sponsor this vital organisation who are doing just that.”
ENDS
Notes:
As a charity supporting neurodiversity and neurodivergent children and young people across Scotland, the Donaldson Trust has created new services such as their successful ‘Connect’ Service which provides holistic support for children, young people and their families and their person-centred #JunX10n (Junction) Service empowers young people to identify goals and ambitions for their future by improving their understanding of their own strengths and wellbeing needs.
Connect
Connect is a new service developed by The Donaldson Trust to provide a holistic support for children, young people and their families.
Connect’s purpose is to deliver therapeutic support, training, advice and information for children, young people and their families who access services provided by The Donaldson Trust.
The service works in partnership with other services and agencies to improve the outcomes for children and young people with addition support needs as well as working with the families of the children and young people.
Additionally, an outreach service is available to provide training, information and advice to other external agencies.
#JunX10n
The #JunX10n service was set up by The Donaldson Trust in October 2016 as a transitions support service for young people aged 14 to 25 with neuro-diversities.
The service aims to empower young people to identify goals and ambitions for their future by improving their understanding of their own strengths and wellbeing needs and gaining opportunities to engage in activities that could lead to increased community engagement, further education opportunities, or employment.
This person-centred planning approach lays the foundations for each young person to literally “reboot their options”.