A major fundraising campaign to refurbish a vital support centre for children and young people with disabilities has reached its halfway milestone, bringing new hope to hundreds of families across Tayside and beyond.
Scottish charity The Yard, which has been transforming lives since 1986, currently supports over 3,000 children and their families through its inclusive play centres in Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy, and Dundee. Renowned for its welcoming, creative environments and wraparound family support, The Yard is now reimagining its Dundee site as a fully accessible, year-round community hub.
Thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters, more than £180,000 of the £300,000 fundraising target has now been secured. Redevelopment work is underway at the Drumlanrig Place centre, which will soon offer expanded services to children and young people from birth to age 25.
This ambitious £1.5 million project will also enable The Yard Dundee to gain Care Inspectorate registration, unlocking the ability to deliver vital services including respite and holiday care, early years programmes, after-school support, and enhanced family outreach, all under one roof. Works will include the replacement of the roof and the creation of a Changing Places room, sensory room, larger play spaces, office and meeting spaces and a large kitchen and dining space. The garden and external play spaces will also be upgraded.
The campaign, Dig Deep for The Yard Dundee, has been significantly boosted by a £165,000 grant from The Edward Gostling Foundation, providing vital momentum as the refurbishment enters its next phase.
Jenny McDonald, Deputy Chief Executive, said, “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported this campaign so far. Every pound brings us closer to a fully inclusive, purpose-built space that will make a life-changing difference to families across the region. Invest in The Yard and you invest in your community, so please donate what you can!”
Caroline Kendall, Joint Managing Director, The Edward Gostling Foundation, added, “We are delighted to have been able to support The Yard Dundee with this project - it will be truly transformative in terms of the expansion and delivery of the services they offer to children, young people and their families with disabilities in Dundee and the surrounding areas”.
Meanwhile, television presenter Lorraine Kelly is calling on the people and businesses of Dundee to rally round to plug the funding gap.
Lorraine said, “When I heard about the fundraiser for The Yard in Dundee, it struck me as one of these campaigns you just have to get behind. They do such amazing work in their community, supporting children, young people and families who might be struggling for a place to belong and to be included. That should be a given but, unfortunately, for some families it’s a real struggle.
“They’re also doing such amazing work in schools, supporting teachers with young people who perhaps need some time out of the class to simply play in a different way, and in an environment that’s just more suited to them. The refurbished centre will allow The Yard to do so much more, and reach more people. So please, whether you’ve got a pound to spare or you’re a local business looking to give back to its community, consider making a donation so The Yard can make an even greater impact in Dundee!”
With £1.2 million already pledged by generous supporters – including the Scottish Government, The Robertson Trust, The Gannochy Trust, and The Northwood Charitable Trust – The Yard is now calling on the public to help close the final gap.
Through the Dig Deep for The Yard Dundee campaign, individuals are encouraged to donate whatever they can, while businesses can show their support by buying a brick for £250 or sponsoring key parts of the centre, such as rooms or accessible play equipment for the garden. To donate, visit www.theyardscotland.org.uk/dundee-appeal
The renovation team is led by Paul Stephen, Partner at James F Stephen Architects and Douglas Smith, Partner at Hardies Property & Construction Consultants. The lead contractor is Andrew Shepherd Construction.
For more information, visit www.theyardscotland.org.uk/dundee-appeal, email info@theyardscotland.org.uk or telephone 0131 476 4506.
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The Yard
The Yard is a Scottish charity supporting disabled children and young people, and their families, through adventure play.
