'The world is our oyster': Dundee charity's expansion plans after £1.5m makeover

A Dundee support centre for children with additional support needs and their families is ready to expand its services in the city after a £1.5m transformation.

The Yard centre offers a safe and inclusive play environment, with specialist staff on-hand to offer wrap-around support services.

The revamped outdoor playground at the Yard. STV News

Pamela Nicoll has been attending the centre since her nine-year-old daughter Skye was a toddler.

She said: “Skye was diagnosed with autism when she was three years old, and she’s recently been diagnosed with ADHD.”

“Coming here is just amazing,” she continued. “Knowing that Skye can just be happy and be herself and there’s no judgement or criticism from any of the other places that we go to.

Pamela Nicoll has been coming to the Yard in Dundee with her daughter Skye for around six years. STV News

“The staff are amazing, they all know the kids so well, and it makes us parents more relaxed to have a chat and a cup of tea knowing they’re all around and that they know our kids.”

The renovation includes a new roof for the centre’s building, a revamp of the outdoor playground, and a sensory room.

The upgrades also mean the centre can be registered with the care inspectorate, meaning it can expand its provision to include things like respite care, out-of-school clubs and early years support from early next year.

Gill Thomson, who set up the centre a decade ago, said: “It still feels like I’m dreaming.

“That was like the cherry on top of the cake – we got the fantastic building, we’ve now got care inspectorate registration – so the world is our oyster now.”

The £1.5m renovation was partly funded by the Scottish Government which contributed £230,000. STV News

The renovation was supported by local donations, a number of charitable trusts, and £230,000 from the Scottish Government.

Natalie Don-Innes, minister for children and young people, said: “We want somewhere where disabled children and young people can play and be themselves in an environment that suits them.

“The Scottish Government are absolutely committed to improving the support and the outcomes for disabled children and young people.

“That’s why we’ve invested in this facility and that’s why it will be a priority for us going forward.”