The Donaldson Trust

What The Donaldson Trust does

The Donaldson Trust is a Scottish registered charity (SC017417) headquartered in Linlithgow, West Lothian, that has operated since the mid-nineteenth century (founded 1854/1856) as a specialist provider of services for neurodivergent children, young people and adults. The organisation brands itself as the National Body for Neurodiversity in Scotland and delivers a portfolio of direct services — the Sensational Learning Centre (a Grant-Aided Special School), Vibe (wellbeing support for ages 12–18), Gate (young adults aged 16+), and Treehouse — alongside a training and consultancy arm (Connect/Neurodiversity Training) and a policy influencing function. Practice is grounded in two proprietary frameworks, SYNERGY and SPELL, which apply neuro-affirming, environmental-change approaches rather than behaviour-modification methodologies, supported by a wellbeing curriculum prioritising mental health and pupil voice.

The Trust operates a diversified non-profit revenue model spanning government education grants (via GASS status), charitable donations and fundraising events, corporate volunteering partnerships (e.g., Evelyn Partners, Aviva, NatWest), and paid neurodiversity training and consultancy delivered to external organisations. Service delivery is concentrated at the Linlithgow campus, with the Connect service and webinars extending reach regionally. The Trust also pursues policy and advocacy work, engaging directly with the Scottish Parliament, MSPs, and sector coalitions (SCVO, ALLIANCE, Scottish ADHD Coalition) to shape neurodivergence-related legislation and practice. With approximately 42 employees, the organisation sits at a small-to-mid scale for the UK special education and disability advocacy sector, anchored by 2025 institutional validations including an Education Scotland 'Good' inspection rating and UNICEF RRSA Bronze accreditation.

Name

The Donaldson Trust

Legal name

The Donaldson Trust

Website

https://donaldsons.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1854

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Donaldson Trust is a Scottish registered charity operating as the National Body for Neurodiversity, delivering specialist education (Sensational Learning Centre), wellbeing and transition services (Vibe, Gate, Treehouse), neurodiversity training and consultancy (Connect), and policy advocacy for neurodivergent children, young people, and adults.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Neurodiversity Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Inclusion, Special Needs & Early Intervention Training (IEPs/IFSPs, Neurodiversity) (EDACAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transition-to-College/Independence Skills Tutoring for Learning Differences (EDANAFAJ), Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children (HSAAAIAO)

Keywords

• Neurodiversity support services
• Specialist education services
• Neurodiversity training consultancy
• Wellbeing transition services
• Neurodiversity policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Linlithgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises funds through individual donations, fundraising events (including the Great Scottish Run, SAS-style abseils, DIY fundraising), and corporate partnerships. The website features a dedicated 'Get Involved' section encouraging donations.
2. Government Education Grants: As a Grant-Aided Special School (GASS), the Sensational Learning Centre receives government funding for providing specialist education to neurodivergent learners who cannot access mainstream education.
3. Neurodiversity Training and Consultancy Services: The Connect service provides neurodiversity training, consultancy and advice to organizations to help them create neuro-inclusive environments. Revenue generated through training fees for organizations.
4. Corporate Volunteering and Partnerships: Companies such as Evelyn Partners, Aviva, and NatWest engage in volunteer activities and make donations, providing both financial and operational support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Donaldson Trust delivers specialist education, wellbeing and transition support services to neurodivergent children, young people and adults through its Linlithgow campus, complemented by fee-based neurodiversity training and consultancy for organisations (Connect service) and national policy advocacy work on neurodivergence issues. Core programmes include the Sensational Learning Centre (a Grant-Aided Special School), Vibe (wellbeing for ages 12-18), Gate (support for ages 16+) and Treehouse, all grounded in its proprietary SYNERGY and SPELL neuro-affirming practice frameworks.

Product overview

The Donaldson Trust is the National Body for Neurodiversity in Scotland, operating as a charitable organisation that provides a range of services to neurodivergent children, young people and adults. The organisation offers a portfolio of interconnected services including: Sensational Learning Centre (a specialist school for neurodivergent learners), Vibe (wellbeing service for ages 12-18), Gate (support service for young adults 16+), and Treehouse (additional support service). Beyond direct service delivery, the Trust provides Neurodiversity Training and Connect (consultancy services helping organisations create neuro-inclusive workplaces), and engages in Influencing (policy advocacy work). The services work together to provide a continuum of support from education through to adulthood, with a focus on wellbeing, inclusion, and helping neurodivergent individuals thrive at every stage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sensational Learning Centre Specialist education centre supporting neurodivergent children and young people unable to access mainstream education, providing a wellbeing-focused curriculum with emphasis on mental health, social-emotional learning and pupil voice as the foundation of achievement.
• Vibe

Quantifiable outcome

• Education Scotland rated the Sensational Learning Centre 'Good' in all areas inspected (March 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Evelyn PartnersminorOthersThe team from Evelyn Partners volunteered to tidy up and restore the nature path around the outdoor classroom, creating a space enjoyed by those supported during nature walks. They also made a generous donation of £50 per volunteer, totaling £1,050 with 21 volunteers.
• AvivaminorOthersThe Aviva team spent a morning at the campus helping tidy up outdoor areas around Treehouse and Gate services, trimming hedges, weeding, and tidying paths.
• NatWest (Gogarburn team)minorOthersNatWest's Gogarburn team cleared up areas around the Outdoor Classroom and car park, tidying grounds and making the space more accessible despite typical Scottish weather.
• The Seagull TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided a canal boat trip experience on the Union Canal from Linlithgow to Falkirk, including experiencing the Falkirk Wheel. Created memorable experiences for young people supported by Sensational Learning Centre.
• Lifecycle TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for outdoor activities including mountain biking sessions for young people at Vibe service. Provided instructor-led outdoor sporting activities.
• EnduraminorOthersSponsored a mountain biking session for Vibe service young people in Stirlingshire, enabling outdoor sporting activity.
• Dunedin ConsortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusicians and dancers from Dunedin Consort delivered a relaxed, accessible performance at Sensational Learning Centre featuring Baroque dance music with BSL integration as part of their Deaf Season initiative. Also offered free tickets to Children's Messiah.
• Clare and Lesley (Just Us)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDancers who merged Contemporary Dance, British Sign Language, and Autistic Stimming into performances at Donaldson Trust, prioritizing non-verbal communication.
• ScotRailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Trust participated in ScotRail's Disability Pride Month event to connect, share experiences, and highlight neuro-inclusion in the workplace.
• Linlithgow MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGate service contributed a handcrafted Brownie figure to Linlithgow Museum's Scottish Myths and Legends exhibition. Young adults at Gate participated in creating the piece for public display.
• Rotary ClubminorOthersGenerously gifted a trip to Blair Drummond Safari Park for pupils at Sensational Learning Centre, providing memorable day trip experiences.
• SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Trust participates in SCVO's annual conference 'The Gathering', delivering workshops and maintaining an exhibition stand. SCVO is Scotland's national membership organization for charities.
• ALLIANCE (Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Trust actively participates in ALLIANCE conferences and forums. The ALLIANCE is a key partner for third sector engagement on health and social care issues affecting neurodivergent people.
• Human Rights Consortium ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Trust participates in HRC's annual Human Rights Conference as part of advocacy work for neurodivergent people's rights.
• Scottish ADHD CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Trust joined this cross-sector working group convened by the Scottish ADHD Coalition to improve support for neurodivergent people across Scotland. Group includes organizations from mental health, care-experienced, and social care sectors.
• University of Glasgow Centre for Public PolicyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the Centre for Pathways to Parliament event alongside ALLIANCE-UofG joint events. The Centre facilitates learning and collaboration between policy and practice.
• Beth and Calum MorrisonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeurodivergent campaigners who have been instrumental in driving debate on restrictive practices for over a decade. The Trust joined with them in supporting the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Bill.
• AT-AutismminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization whose Professor Richard Mills spoke at The Gathering 2026 alongside the Trust on neuro-inclusive service provision and practice frameworks.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Together Trust: UK charity providing specialist education, residential care, and community services for children and adults with disabilities, autism, and complex needs. Comparable in service mix (specialist education, transitions, support) but operates at a larger scale across the North of England.
• National Autistic Society: The UK's largest charity for autistic people, providing schools, adult services, training, and policy advocacy at scale. Comparable in mission and service mix (education, training, advocacy), but operates UK-wide with significantly greater resources and brand recognition than the Trust.

Direct peers

• Scottish Autism: Scotland's largest autism-specific charity, providing specialist education, day services, and supported living across Scotland. Directly comparable as a Scottish charity delivering specialist education and support services to neurodivergent individuals, with overlapping service portfolio.
• Enable Scotland: Scottish charity supporting people with learning disabilities and their families through services, advocacy, and influence. Comparable as a Scottish disability charity providing direct support services and engaging in policy advocacy at the Scottish Parliament level.
• ADHD Foundation: UK neurodiversity charity providing services, training, and consultancy to schools, employers, and individuals affected by ADHD and neurodivergence. Directly comparable as a neurodiversity-focused organization delivering training and consultancy services.
• ADHD UK: UK-based charity providing information, support, and advocacy for people affected by ADHD. Comparable as a neurodiversity-focused organization delivering services and influencing policy, with similar target population and advocacy-driven approach.
• Genius Within: UK-based social enterprise providing neurodiversity coaching, training, and consultancy for organizations and individuals. Closely comparable to the Trust's Connect service in offering fee-based neurodiversity training and consultancy to employers.
• Capability Scotland: Scottish disability charity providing education, residential services, and support to disabled children and adults across Scotland. Comparable as a Scottish charity providing specialist education and support services, with overlapping geographical and population focus.
• Lexxic: UK specialist consultancy providing neurodiversity training, assessments, and workplace adjustments for organizations. Directly comparable to the Trust's Connect service as a fee-based neurodiversity consultancy serving corporate clients.
• Ambitious about Autism: UK charity operating specialist schools (TreeHouse School, Ambitious College) and youth services for autistic learners. Closely comparable as a charity delivering specialist education and transition services for neurodivergent children and young people, with similar education-led model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/donaldson_trust
• Facebookfacebook.com/thedonaldsontrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-donaldson-trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/thedonaldsontrust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Donaldson Trust