What is Playscheme?
A-ND Playscheme offers a unique sensory & neurodivergent inclusive environment, fully renovated in April 2022 thanks to the support of our wonderful partners at Global E&C.
​
Our playscheme environment has been uniquely designed, in collaboration with our children & families, to meet the individual & sensory needs of autistic & neurodivergent children & young people from ages 4 to 18 years.
Our trained, skilled & dedicated staff team offer a wide range of indoor & outdoor activities, focusing on having fun, while developing physical health, living skills & self care, wellbeing & self-esteem, supporting sensory differences, communication, social skills & relationships.
We use Outcomes Star to co-produce personal plans & set agreed outcomes to work towards with our young people & often their parents/carers in the following areas:
​
-
School & learning
-
Your routine
-
Family
-
Friends
-
Being healthy
-
How you feel
-
How you behave
-
Attention and organisation
-
Sensory differences
What do we do at Aberdeen Playscheme?
The activities we enjoy focus on having fun & developing our children’s social & communication skills & include, to name but a few, arts & crafts, baking, soft & sensory play, as well as outdoor activities such as visiting play parks, a variety of outdoor sports/play areas & local attractions.
And we are hopefully soon to have our very own dedicated outdoor sensory play area at Carnie Drive - we were aiming for July 2023, however due to complications and objections from a small number of local residents, this will now sadly be earliest April 2024.
For the teenagers, we have a large technology room where they can take part in technology-based pursuits (X-Box, Sony PlayStation & Wii), play pool or foosball, as well as a comfortable cinema room, with many of our young people finding large cinemas overwhelming & over stimulating. And of course, a kitchen where we work with our young people to create culinary masterpieces & build independent living skills.
Most activities support our children & young people with their sensory needs, regulation, as well as practice their hand-eye coordination & gross & fine motor skills, supporting development & social & communication skills, giving them confidence in a calm, inclusive & non-judgmental environment.
​
When does the Playscheme run?
We are open between 7am & 8pm, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.​
We have an ever-growing waiting list for our Aberdeen Playscheme & great demand for an afterschool provision, with a waiting time generally of 1 to 2 years for a place. This is due to children often joining us at an early age & growing up with us until they are 18, when they require to finish their time at our Playscheme.
​
Where are the Playschemes held?
-
Aberdeen City - Carnie Drive
​
How is Aberdeen Playscheme Funded?
Most of our children attending our Aberdeen Playscheme are funded either through Self Directed Support (SDS), Aberdeen City Council Disabilities Team or through our Keep the Promise Funding from the Corra Foundation.
Some children & young people are funded through a family member (self funded). Costs vary depending on the support ratio required for each young person.
​
If we could provide free support, we absolutely would, regardless of age, post code, location or background. However to enable us to pay our valued & skilled staff a Real Living Wage, we require each young person to be fully funded. We truly hope this changes one day with better funding made available & are working hard to try & achieve equitable support for all who want & need it.
​
How do I make a referral?
Contact our Head Quarters on 01224 277 900 or email referrals@a-nd.org.uk by clicking on the 'REFER HERE' button below.
