We’re transforming our first home in Cumbernauld Town Centre into a calm, welcoming, neurodiverse-friendly environment where people can build confidence, improve their health, and make the changes they want in their lives.

We don’t want it to feel clinical, institutional or like somewhere people have been sent because something is wrong. We want to create spaces where people feel comfortable, with different environments for group coaching, one-to-one work, and physical activity.

We’ve made a start.

With the help of our volunteers, local organisations and people who have already donated, the vision is beginning to become real.

This room needs to adapt to the person using it. Our aim is to create a private coaching space where we can subtly change the environment around individual needs, rather than expecting everyone to be comfortable in the same setting. Softer lighting, sound-absorbing furnishings, plants and wall art can reduce sensory harshness, while cushions, heavier blankets and other comfort options allow someone to make the space feel safer and more settled for them.

• Freestanding Shelving
• A neutral coloured rug
• A small artificial or low-maintenance plant
• Some additional ‘soft’ wall decorations or purpose build frame with fabric art (calm)
• Colour-changing LED lighting

Our group space needs to support several people at once without making the room feel busy or overwhelming. The aim is to create a flexible environment where people can sit comfortably, move around, take part in discussion and engage at their own pace. Flexible seating, softer lighting, acoustic furnishings and clear uncluttered zones will help us create a space that feels structured and welcoming without becoming overly stimulating.

• Freestanding Shelving
• A large rug or two complimentary smaller rugs
• 6-8 comfortable, neutral coloured chairs or armchairs
• A very small sofa (not high priority)
• One coffee table & two small side tables
• A foldable or easily dismantlable meeting-style table
• 2-3 floor or table lamps with warm lighting
• Decorative cushions
• A closed cabinet, chest of drawers or storage unit
• Storage boxes or baskets
• A decorative wall clock (that doesn’t make a ticking sound)
• Calm artwork (soft fabric, canvas etc to absorb sound) &/ or accoustic panels
• Artificial or low-maintenance plant

Our Training Pod is designed to make physical activity feel accessible rather than intimidating. It gives us a private space where movement and exercise can be introduced gradually, adapted to the individual and used as part of the wider coaching programme. A compact range of versatile equipment, clear floor space, mirrors and organised storage will allow us to change the setup depending on the person, whether they are building confidence with exercise for the first time or developing something more challenging.

• Suitable lighting (including colour changing LED lighting)
• A wall clock or timer
• Wall art or accoustic panels
• Heavy-duty flooring mats or covering.
• A sturdy but portable squat stand (ideally half-rack style with safety catchers).

More generally, throughout the facility, there are elements that would be of great value to us in providing a complete and usable set up.

These include (but are not limited to)

• Weighted Blankets
• Weighted soft toys
• Fidget toys (ideally that don’t make a noise)
• General storage boxes
• Bins
• Cleaning materials (Paper towels, cleaning sprays etc)
• An office desk
• Sturdy (heavy-duty) garage or warehouse-style shelving (does not need to look good)
• First Aid supplies
• A coat hanger

Anything else that you feel we may benefit from we would be inerested to hear from you.

We have limited space, so we do need to be mindful of only taking in things that prove useful. But we will consider anything that could genuinely be of value to providing this service.

We’re not starting from an empty room. People and organisations have already given their time, equipment, furniture and support to help turn our plans into something real.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped us get this far.

Stirling Reuse Hub donated furniture, artwork and furnishings that are already helping us shape the coaching spaces and make them feel more welcoming.

The Tryst Sports Centre has donated training equipment following its gym refurbishment, giving our Training Pod a substantial foundation to build from.

Margarita and Veronika have been helping us develop the spaces, source furniture and equipment, and turn ideas for the venue into practical plans.

Every contribution makes a difference. Whether it’s an item you no longer need, professional expertise, practical help or financial support, it can become part of what we’re building here in Cumbernauld.

Donated and reused items can help us create much of the space, but some things need to be bought new or chosen specifically to meet the needs of the people who will use it.

Financial donations help us fill those gaps, from sensory and accessibility items to equipment, materials and the practical things needed to get the venue ready for delivery.

You can make a donation directly through our JustGiving page. You can also choose Designs on Yourself as the charity for your own sponsored walk, run, cycle, challenge or fundraising event.

Furniture and one-off donations help us build the space. Regular support helps us build what happens inside it.

We’re looking for businesses and organisations that want to become Founding Partners of Designs on Yourself, providing regular financial support as we establish the charity, deliver our programmes and make them accessible to people who may otherwise struggle to access this kind of help.

Becoming a Founding Partner means helping us build the foundations of DOY from the beginning, with the opportunity to see what that support helps us create as the charity grows.

Every chair, lamp, piece of equipment, hour volunteered and pound donated brings us closer to creating a place where people can build confidence, make meaningful changes and begin moving their lives forward.

Thank you to everyone who has already helped us take the first steps, and to everyone who chooses to become part of what we build next.