Celebrating Neurodiversity: How SensationALL supports our community 

Written by

16–20 March 2026 marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.

This week, schools, universities, organisations, and communities are encouraged to recognise the skills, talents, and unique perspectives of neurodivergent individuals, while building a more inclusive environment that values diversity and supports everyone to reach their full potential. 

In Scotland, it’s estimated that 10–15% of the population is neurodivergent, representing hundreds of thousands of people. Additionally, research suggests that 1 in 6 people in Scotland (around one million) live with a long-term neurological condition, like autism or ADHD.

A safe place for ALL 

At SensationALL, we provide support for people of ALL ages and conditions and their family members removing the barriers of a formal diagnosis. Currently, we interact directly with over 480 individuals each year across 800+ sessions, but the demand we face is much greater. With over 1,900 registered service users and close to 200 named on our waiting lists actively seeking a space in one or more of our services, it’s clear that we need to do more. 

As a charity who receive no statutory funding, we rely entirely on grants, donations, corporate partnerships, and fundraising efforts to keep our services running. Like many charities, we are navigating an increasingly competitive funding landscape, with reduced funding available and rising demand leading to higher rejection rates. 

Inclusive, supportive, and safe 

Our groups are different to mainstream or public recreational activities because we create a safe, welcoming environment where our specially trained staff support attendees so they can: 

  • Recharge and express themselves freely 
  • Build genuine friendships 
  • Reduce loneliness and isolation, reducing mental health risks 
  • Connect with a community of people who accept them as they are 

We carefully match each person to a group that suits their needs. Sessions are designed to help people with sensory processing or emotional issues to build skills that will improve confidence, social interaction and resilience. 

To ensure everyone can thrive we: 

  • Keep group sizes small (an average of 6-8 per session) 
  • Considers the person needs of attendees not just age so we can meet their behavioural and sensory needs  
  • Operate waiting lists to accurately gauge demand for each service and support level 

Sadly, despite our best efforts to grow services, waiting lists are increasing faster than ever before and many are left waiting for support they can’t access anywhere else. 

Lifelong support for individuals and families 

At SensationALL, we believe everyone deserves equal access to meaningful social opportunities. For many, our groups are their only opportunity to make friends and feel a sense of belonging. 

We also support parents and carers, helping them feel informed, confident, and connected. Our families report: 

  • Improved mental health and wellbeing 
  • Stronger family dynamics 
  • Loved ones developing better self-regulation and social skills 

Our approach creates a supportive environment for the whole family, enabling individuals to thrive at every stage of life. 

Help us do more 

We are working hard to expand our timetable and create more spaces, but we need your help. The funding climate is tough for all charities, so donations, corporate partnerships, and fundraising support means more than ever!  

Every pound you contribute will enable us to reach more people and provide the vital services our community relies on. 

You can make a difference: 

  • Fundraise for SensationALL – there are so many opportunities coming up, why not do the Kiltwalk for us in 2026?! 
  • Dontate to SensationALL or support our fundraising campaigns 

Together, we can ensure that every neurodivergent individual and their family in the north east has the support they deserve to thrive. 

Meet the service team!

Written by

Find out more about the fabulous team people who run our SensationALL services!

Collectively our team of practitioners and support workers have decades of experience working with people with complex needs and a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Chloe Legge, Service Team Lead

about Chloe

What’s your role at SensationALL and what does it involve?
My role as Service Team Lead bridges service demand, design, and delivery with operations and HR. I collaborate with the operations team, session coordinators, and Clinical Team Lead to schedule and deliver services, recruit and allocate staff, lead our team of practitioners and youth workers, manage appraisals and training needs, as well as have fun in some sessions too!

What do you like most about SensationALL?
The shared passion within the team for supporting neurodivergent individuals, their families, carers, and the wider community. The genuine, authentic care shown by the team drives our work and ensures that a needs-led, person-centred approach remains at the heart of everything we do. I feel proud to work for a charity that retains such a strong sense of purpose and fosters an environment built on inclusion, understanding, and lived experience.

How long have you been at SensationALL?
I have been at SensationALL for over 3 years now, starting in a Youth Worker position in 2022, and becoming Service Team Lead in 2023. 

What’s your favourite sensory activity?
My favourite sensory activities are movement-based. I especially enjoy using the balance boards and vibration plates, as well as active games in the soft play room, particularly hide and seek or grounders. I also love making slime!

A fun fact about yourself!
I love being outdoors, and when I’m not playing hide and seek or making slime at SensationALL, you’ll usually find me in the mountains or tucked away in a remote coffee shop in some distant corner of Scotland. 

Rebekah Moorhouse, Clinical Team Lead

about Rebekah

What’s your role at SensationALL and what does it involve?
I’m the Clinical Team Lead. My role involves our training delivery and offerings and supporting with the clinical guidance for our team, ensuring high-quality, child-centred practice, and working closely with families to make sure each child’s sensory needs are truly understood and supported. I also help shape how we grow and develop as a service while keeping care, connection, and curiosity at the heart of everything we do.

What do you like most about SensationALL / what does SensationALL mean to you?
What I love most about SensationALL is the deep respect for every child and adult as an individual. SensationALL means safety, understanding, and possibility to me. It’s a place where differences are welcomed, nervous systems are honoured, and children are supported to thrive in ways that feel right for them.

How long have you been at SensationALL?
I’ve been part of SensationALL for 8 years.

What’s your favourite sensory activity?
My favourite sensory activity is anything involving deep pressure or heavy work. It’s grounding, regulating, and such a powerful way to help children feel safe and settled in their bodies.

A fun fact about yourself!
I love creating calm, cosy spaces and I’m always thinking about how environments can feel more regulating, nurturing, and welcoming. I’m also obsessed with Neuroscience which helps us understand neurodivergent nervous systems! 

Fran Duncan, Occupational Therapist

about Fran

What’s your role at SensationALL and what does it involve?
Presently, I am helping with the Tea & Tips service we offer to parents and carers. I speak with them about questions and concerns they have about their children, many times supporting them with information about self regulation, but also addressing other specific concerns they may have.

What do you like most about SensationALL / what does SensationALL mean to you?
SensationALL has always impressed me as a charity that helps people who may not be able to get support from our other community or health services, and can do things for them in a more timely manner. I feel it is an important charity for that reason, and also for the way it fosters supportive friendships/relationships among the users and their parents and carers.

How long have you been at SensationALL?
Being a close friend of Suz Strachan, I have know about the charity as it was developing and at its earliest stages. I have been involved with it since I moved back to Scotland from the States at the end of 2016, almost ten years now.

What’s your favourite sensory activity?
Any type of shoulder massage always hits the spot!

A fun fact about yourself!
I enjoy playing my violin both in a traditional Scottish group, and a Folk orchestra. 

Marie Massie, Practitioner

about Marie

What’s your role at SensationALL and what does it involve?
My role at SensationALL is as a service practitioner, therefore I plan and lead some SociALLise services, which aim to meet the needs and provide a positive experience for neurodivergent young people and adults.

What do you like most about SensationALL / what does SensationALL mean to you?
I enjoy developing positive relationships with our service users and families as well as supporting them to the best of my ability. I value this aspect of SensationALL.

How long have you been at SensationALL?
I have been at SensationALL for over 4 years now!

What’s your favourite sensory activity?
I enjoy sensory play, preferably with water or orbee’s and I like to encourage relaxation with sensory lights. 

A fun fact about yourself!
I like go karting and wanted to be a race driver for a long time! 

Caitlin Tawse, Senior Practitioner

about Caitlin

What’s your role at SensationALL and what does it involve?
As part of my role at SensationALL as a senior practitioner, I run our ChillOOT sessions focusing on self-regulation and managing emotions, as well as leading our social groups for teens and primary age kids, with some involvement in adult services as well! I am also the organisations mental health ambassador, helping to promote positive mental health in all that we do.

What do you like most about SensationALL?
SensationALL is a place that I feel safe and supported, and I love being able to create that environment for our service users. It’s a place you can truly be yourself with no fear of judgement, and my confidence has truly flourished in the time I’ve been here.

How long have you been at SensationALL?
I started at SensationALL in September 2021.

What’s your favourite sensory activity?
I love making slime, though I’m still working on finding a perfect recipe! 

A fun fact about yourself!
I studied Psychology and Business at university, and I started at SensationALL during my final year, I’ve been here ever since, apart from taking a year out from 2023-2024 to work at Walt Disney World in Florida! 

Jo Nicholas, Family Support Practitioner

about Jo

What’s your role at SensationALL and what does it involve?
I am the Family Support Practitioner, which basically means I get the privilege of walking alongside parents and carers as they support their children. Living with neurodivergence can feel incredibly isolating, and a big part of my role is helping to lift some of that isolation and remind families that they don’t have to do any of this on their own.

If you’ve spent any time with me, you’ve probably heard some of my go‑to mottos more than once: “It’s not hard because you’re failing — it’s hard because it is hard,” and “You are not alone.” I tell them a lot because I have I had to learn those same lessons as the parent of a neurodivergent child.

I also lead the preschool group here at SensationALL, which I absolutely love. Working with the little ones — and their parents — as they take their first steps into understanding neurodivergence.

What do you like most about SensationALL?
My favourite part of working with our parents/carers is something I call ‘watching the light bulb moment’, when they realise for the first time that there are other parents out there walking a similar journey to them, and when they learn more about their child’s behaviour and the how and why of how to support them.

I also have experienced the impact of SensationALL as a parent, as my son is a service user and loves attending sessions and being with others who he can see are ‘like me’.

How long have you been at SensationALL?
I have worked at SensationALL for 4 ½ years but accessed services as a family for about 2 years before working here.

What’s your favourite sensory activity?
It has to be the power of bubbles! I have watched an individual’s emotions change in a moment just from the introduction of a bottle of soap and water. Those bubbles have healing qualities.

A fun fact about yourself!
I have an expert knowledge of Dinosaurs! I have an amazing Neurodivergent son whom I call my walking, talking, encyclopaedia. My son takes every possible moment to educate me on the world of palaeontology!


In addition to these wonderful people we have an enthusiastic team of support & youth workers who assist the practitioners during sessions.

service information
join our team
volunteer

Snow day regulation tips

Written by

Snow days… disruptive or sensory gold?!

When snow falls, everything slows as schools and businesses close and routines change.

For most people snow days are exciting – getting all bundled up to enjoy a winter wonderland. However, for many neurodivergent people, the disruption can be upsetting and stressful and the extra winter clothes can present sensory challenges. But did you realise that snow play is incredible for the nervous system resulting in calmer bodies and more settled emotions, when it’s done with a little intention.

Our SensationALL team have put together some ideas on how to turn your snow days into a fun, positive experience!

Firstly, cold air can also increase alertness, while repetitive or exaggerated movements (like walking through snow) helps organise thoughts and emotions.

Snow activities can provide our brains and bodies with big movement, deep pressure, and rhythm which sends reassuring signals to the brain that say, “I know where my body is. I’m safe. I can settle.” So, that’s why you might feel more regulated after outdoor play, even if things feel wild in the moment.

Build a snowman

The rolling, packing and lifting of snow into place all count as “heavy work”. This kind of movement helps release excess energy and feel more grounded in your body.

You might notice:

  • Better emotional regulation
  • Less fidgeting
  • A calmer transition back indoors

Tip: Encourage slow pushing and rolling rather than rushing. Adding pauses to “admire the snowman” can help the body reset. Use a spade or shovel if you don’t like touching the snow (or wearing gloves!).

Go Sledging

Sledging gives gentle, linear movement that helps you feel balanced and settled.

To keep it regulating rather than overwhelming:

  • Take turns, don’t race
  • Walk back up the hill slowly
  • Admire the view – what can you see on the way down
  • Pause between rides to catch breath and notice the cold air

If you become dizzy or overly excitable, that’s the body asking for a break.

Snow Angels

Snow angels involve both sides of the body moving together, which helps the brain integrate and calm so is like a natural reset button. They’re especially helpful after lots of high-energy play.

Try counting slow angel “wings” together or taking deep breaths while lying in the snow. It often brings a noticeable shift from excitement to calm.

If you seem calmer, more focused, or more emotionally settled after playing in the snow, that’s not a coincidence. The body has done exactly what it needed to do but pace yourself…

Simple snow day rhythms…

Break the day down into cycles of gentle and high energy activities to ensure a balance. You don’t need a strict plan but try alternate slow and fast paced activities like:

  • Big movement (sledging or building in the snow)
  • Still moment (look at the sights and sounds of the winter landscape. Listen to your breathing, notice how the cold feels)
  • Repeat the cycle

This rhythm helps you enjoy the excitement without tipping into overwhelm and encourages you to be present in sensory experience.

Coming back inside calmly

Snow play is powerful sensory input, but often we need help landing afterwards. Try doing this with:

  • A warm drink
  • Dry clothes with gentle pressure (cozy jumpers, weighted blankets)
  • A quiet activity like drawing or reading

Calm activities tell the nervous system it’s safe to rest.

Overcoming sensory challenges

Touch – If you find touching the snow unpleasant then use a spade or bucket to minimise the chance of getting wet gloves. For children, try using baking or play doh moulds/cutters to make shapes. Maybe making a small snow animal is more achievable than a full snowperson!

Clothes – hate hats and gloves? Padded winter coats too restricting? Are wellies a no-go?! Look for alternative options – maybe multiple thinner layers will be more comfortable; perhaps long sleeves could be pulled over your hands; or limit the time outside if you are wearing less than ideal coats.

Snow days don’t have to be a disruption. They’re an invitation to let you regulate in the most natural way possible: through movement, cold air, and play.

Keep up to date with the latest SensationALL Self-Regulation Strategies on our socials!

Instagram
TikTok
Facebook