The Yard creates beautiful havens for play for disabled children, but even more than that, opportunities for fun, friendship and community building. Support and a sense of belonging. Somewhere to feel safe to take risks. A place of understanding without judgement. A vital lifeline for whole families.

The benefits of creative adventure play for children are well documented. We strongly believe disabled children should be offered the same opportunities as their mainstream peers to get involved in risky play to help them develop, learn, build friendships and find their own limits.

After working with families in Edinburgh for the last 30 years, we now run services in Dundee and Fife, allowing us to reach more families who need our support. We know there is demand for services like ours across Scotland, which is why The Yard continues to grow. 

Read our 2020 Annual Report - Adventures at The Yard.

Read our latest report from the Care Inspectorate.

Read our annual accounts 2019/20.

Our social return on investment

Our members tell us having somewhere like The Yard has a hugely positive impact on their daily lives. We were able to measure that impact with a significant piece of research conducted with our Edinburgh families.

Have a look at our Social Return on Investment infographic.

Read our full Social Return on Investment report.

We also collate regular feedback from our children, young people, parents, siblings and carers, both to support our funding applications and for the Care Inspectorate. We use this feedback to ensure our services continually improve.

Awards

The Yard's play team were shortlisted for the Youthlink Scotland National Youth Work Awards' Team of the Year award in 2020.

We are also finalists in the categories of Service Excellence and Inspiring Partnership at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards 2020.

We were finalists in the categories of Diversity in Business and High Growth Business of the Year at the 2019 Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards.

Celine Sinclair, our Chief Executive, was awarded:

Director of the Year Small Businesses at Edinburgh Chamber Business Awards 2018

Director of the Year Small Businesses at Institute of Directors Scotland Director of the Year Awards 2018

Leading Light at the Scottish Charity Awards 2017

We were shortlisted for Charity of the Year at the Scottish Charity Awards in 2017.

The Yard received the Nancy Ovens Trust 2016 Positive Support for Play Award.