About Us (Designs on Yourself (SCIO))
1. Who We Are
Designs on Yourself is a Scottish charity created to support people who cannot thrive in traditional fitness or personal-development environments — individuals whose barriers are often medical, structural, or deeply ingrained:
• neurodivergent adults (autism, ADHD)
• people experiencing long-term unemployment
• those with chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, trauma histories
• individuals with posture, mobility, or routine-related difficulties
We exist because mainstream gyms and conventional self-help programmes are overwhelming, inaccessible, or ineffective for many of the people who need support the most.
2. What We Do
1. Structured Well-Being & Habit-Building Courses
An 8-week, 14–16 hour programme built on a tiered, habit-building framework that addresses:
• mobility & posture
• sleep & energy regulation
• daily routines
• confidence
• low-level anxiety and avoidance behaviours
Participants progress through clear, predictable steps, reinforcing foundational behaviours before moving to higher-level habits. The course includes:
• in-depth initial questionnaire
• physical assessments
• tailored weekly habits
• continuous check-ins
• final review + 12-week follow-up
This structure is uniquely effective for people who need routine, clarity, and stability.
2. A Sensory-Friendly Training Facility
We operate (or will operate in the Pilot Phase) a 1,000 sq.ft sensory-controlled training space, designed from the ground up for people who cannot use mainstream gyms.
Features include:
• private training pods with noise-reduction
• removable, adaptable equipment
• a “pantry” of weights to avoid interaction pressure
• the ability to hide gym equipment to create a calm, workshop-style space
This space supports:
• anxiety-safe strength training
• posture & mobility work
• quiet consultations
• the delivery of the entire 8-week programme in a controlled, unintimidating environment
3. Who We Support
Our programmes are designed specifically for:
• neurodivergent adults
• people rebuilding from trauma or addiction
• those with significant confidence barriers
• individuals with chronic posture or mobility limitations
• people facing long-term unemployment needing structure + self-belief
We also work through organisational referrals from:
• mental-health providers
• employability services
• neurodiversity groups
• addiction recovery programmes
These partners often fund places for their clients, making the service accessible.
4. Why This Matters
There is a huge, unmet need in Scotland for a structured, accessible, non-intimidating pathway to health and wellbeing for people who have been repeatedly failed by mainstream systems.
Our model fills that gap with:
• structure
• safety
• sensory-appropriate environments
• long-term progression
• collaborative partnerships with other charities and agencies
5. Our Mission
To empower individuals — particularly those facing neurodivergence, unemployment, trauma, and self-image struggles — to rebuild confidence, improve health, and develop sustainable habits through structured well-being courses and a uniquely designed sensory-friendly environment.
6. Our Vision
To create a leading, sustainable model for integrated health and well-being in Scotland — one that can be replicated nationwide and act as a lifeline for people who cannot access traditional methods of improvement.
7. What Makes Us Different
• We are not a gym. We are a structured wellbeing and life-rebuilding programme.
• We are not a counselling service. We complement existing services with physical grounding and habit formation.
• We collaborate, not compete. Partner organisations remain the primary referral route.
• And above all: we build belief, then rebuild lives.
8. Our Pilot Programme (2026)
The Pilot Programme, launching in 2026, is the first stage in establishing a long-term, fully funded community wellbeing service. The pilot will run for 6–9 months and will allow us to demonstrate:
- the level of community need
- the effectiveness of our structured, habit-building model
- participant progression and outcomes
- the accessibility of our sensory-friendly environment
- our ability to collaborate with local support organisations
- the long-term sustainability of the programme
Findings from the pilot will inform the design of the permanent service and will help secure multi-year funding to support more people across the region.
9. Our Partners & Local Collaboration
We work alongside local organisations, employability groups, mental-health services, neurodiversity networks, and community projects who support individuals that may benefit from a structured wellbeing pathway.
During the Pilot Programme, we are building relationships carefully to ensure every referral is aligned with the participant’s needs and that our support complements — rather than replaces — the work of other services. Our approach is collaborative, person-centred, and designed to strengthen the wider support ecosystem in our community
10. How to Refer or Get Involved
Individuals, community workers, and partner organisations are welcome to contact us directly for information about the Pilot Programme. As the pilot launches, we will publish a clear referral pathway, participation guidelines, and information on how organisations can refer clients into the service.
For now, enquiries can be made via email, and we are happy to discuss whether the programme is the right fit for someone you support.