The Yard

Brief description:

The Yard runs adventure play services for disabled children, young people and their families in the east of Scotland. We offer all our children the chance to experience creative, adventurous play.

Organisation name:

The Yard

Type of break:

Clubs or Day Facilities for Short Break/Respite Purposes

Care needs catered for:

Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Carer Support, Hearing Impairment, Learning Disability, Medical Condition, Mental Health, Physical Disability, Visual Impairment

Ages catered for:

Children, Young People, Adults

Full service description:

We run special school sessions, drop-in family sessions, coupling respite with peer support for parents and siblings, and pre-school, respite and youth clubs. We are open to the public in Edinburgh every Sunday to come and play. We promote challenge and adventure for our children and young people. None of what we do at The Yard contains risk for its own sake, but we are there to promote physical development and social communication, and to give children a vibrant experience and sense of achievement. There are few places where children with visual impairments can experience building and lighting fires, and cooking their own food, or build dens, ropes bridges or simple spaces to enjoy their own time. Everyone who uses The Yard is safe to learn and explore through taking controlled risks. The Yard is as much about emotional as practical support for families. Besides offering informal respite, meeting other parents who face similar challenges gives them the chance to build a network of support and understanding that helps ease the difficulties they often face. The Yard provides care, support, and opportunities for fun and friendship for disabled children and young people. We encourage families to let go, promoting challenge, personal growth and supported independence for their children. We promote inclusive play to help disabled children and young people develop their full potential, confidence, self-esteem and life skills. Our success is largely due to our talented team of trained and experienced specialist playworkers who inspire, guide and support the children who come to play. They are also a source of advice and support for the whole family.

Price information:

For families with one or more disabled child, your first visit to The Yard is free. We then encourage all our families to become members of The Yard, at a cost of £8 per month. This covers your whole family for services at all three locations.

Any other information you think people might find helpful:

Since The Yard was established in 1986, our flagship centre in Edinburgh was refurbished by BBC's DIY SOS The Big Build for Children in Need in 2012, and The Yard Dundee opened in 2015, followed by The Yard Fife in 2016. Our vision is one of safe and adventurous play opportunities for all disabled children and young people, and so The Yard continues to grow. Every year we work with 2,300 children and young people aged 0-25, many of whom have multiple and complex needs, and all of whom show tenacity, spirit and determination every day. Each of these children is offered a unique and dynamic play experience.

Please note: we do not provide bedroom or full bathroom facilities - these fields have only been filled in as they were mandatory. All toilets on site are fully accessible.

Organisation providing this information:

The Yard

Quality Assurance Accreditation:

Care Inspectorate, OSCR

Accessible bedrooms:

Single

Bedroom accessibility:

Loopback system

Bathroom accessibility:

Level entry wet floor shower

General accessibility:

Level entry to premises or ramp available, Parking available by premises, Level entry to gardens or ramp available

Autistic Spectrum Disorder Adaptations:

Staff training e.g National Autistic Society Introduction to Autism, Secure entrance to buildings/grounds, Autism friendly furniture

Visual Impairment:

Staff training e.g. Visual Awareness or Sighted Guide training, High contrast signs, Large print notices / menus

Hearing Impairment Adaptations:

Staff training, Loopback system

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