About Us

WHAT WE DO​

Inclusive Spaces & Peer Support

We bridge the gap for families navigating Additional Support Needs (ASN). With inclusive play groups, a parent-carer network, and a push for genuine accessibility within our local community, we ensure that no family in Dunbar feels alone.

Meet Our Volunteers

“The support both my child and I have received from the volunteers at Dunbar ASN has been incredible. Caring for a child with a disability is challenging at the best of times, so it’s great to have someone who understands and doesn’t judge.”

DASNCC Parent
OUR story

Why We Started: Lived Experience with ASN in Dunbar

Dunbar ASN Community Collective began in November 2021, when two parents, new to the town, navigating shielding and searching for connection, met for a coffee one morning and decided to build the community their families needed. What started as two people trying to make a difference quickly grew into a warm, welcoming network of families, volunteers, and supporters.

Over the years, the Collective has evolved into a registered charity, shaped by lived experience and the voices of local families. As the needs of our community have grown, so has the work, from informal meet‑ups to monthly family sessions, teen and tween groups, community events, and practical support for parents and carers.

Like many small charities, our team has changed along the way. Although the founding pair is no longer working side‑by‑side, the heart of the Collective remains the same. Today, the charity continues under the leadership of one of its original founders, supported by dedicated volunteers, trustees, and partners who share the same commitment to inclusion, equity, and community connection.

What hasn’t changed is our purpose: creating safe, low-demand, supportive spaces built on connection, where children and young people with additional and complex needs and the families who care for them can feel understood, supported, and part of something bigger.

Our story is still unfolding, shaped by the families who walk through our doors and the community that continues to grow around us.

Our Values:

Equity

Inclusion

Community

Empowerment

NEED HELP?

Common Questions From Our Families:

We are proudly based in Dunbar and dedicated to serving families across Dunbar and the surrounding East Lothian villages.

Additional Support Needs (ASN) refer to the extra help a child or young person requires over short or extended periods. Children may need this support for various reasons, including physical or learning disabilities, environmental factors, family circumstances, or social and emotional challenges. You can explore how the Scottish Government defines Additional Support Needs on Education Scotland.

Complex Needs describe a combination of multiple overlapping factors- such as health, sensory, disability, or cognitive needs – that significantly impact daily life and are typically long-term. While there is no single universal definition, you can see official guidance on the Scottish Government’s Learning Provision for those with Complex Needs.

No, not at all. We know firsthand how long, stressful, and fraught the road to a formal diagnosis can be. If you suspect your child has additional needs, or if you are currently navigating the assessment process for Autism, ADHD, sensory differences, or developmental delays… you are very welcome here.

We support children and young people across all stages – from nursery and primary school to tweens and teens. Because additional needs impact the whole household, our events are designed for the entire family; parents, carers, siblings, grandparents… all are always welcome to join in!

Any family or parent-carer looking for support is welcome to join our network. Beyond families, we actively encourage the wider community to get involved! If you are an East Lothian business, local authority professional, or volunteer looking to support our charity, please reach out. We believe in bringing everyone together to create meaningful, inclusive changes across Dunbar.

OSCR Registered

We are fully regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Charity No: SC052657

Fully Vetted Team

All our event leads and trustees are fully compliant with the PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) Scheme in Scotland.

East Lothian Connected

We partner with local schools, shops, and authorities to create real, lasting change for ASN families right here in Dunbar.

Our Dream

A safe, inclusive space in Dunbar for Children, Young People & their Families.

More info coming soon…
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