Much more than a home-from-home

Everyone needs a break sometimes. Scottish Autism understands this better than anyone which is why Clannalba, a country house located close to Biggar in Lanarkshire, and easily accessible from all over central Scotland, offers a specialist respite service.

What makes respite at Clannalba special is that it’s not just about providing a break for families. It’s also about providing real learning opportunities and the potential for valuable social interaction for individuals with autism, turning even a short weekend break into a fun and educational experience.

Open all year round, the respite and short breaks service offered by Scottish Autism can be accessed for a single day, a weekend or a longer period to allow families to perhaps go on holiday by themselves. Where last minute respite is required, Scottish Autism does its best to accommodate.

With excellent facilities including a swimming pool, extensive gardens, a sensory room and lots of stimulating activities on offer, Clannalba offers a safe and homely environment. As well as the beautiful surroundings, with Scottish Autism, it’s the knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff that make Clannalba such a haven for those with autism.

Regardless of the length of stay, the service offered is designed around the individual, and includes options and activities that are meaningful and of interest to each person. Staff will undertake a detailed pre-visit assessment so they can anticipate any particular needs and plan accordingly. The highly trained team is also motivated to incorporate learning and development opportunities in order that each individual returns home having gained new skills and confidence.

The families who use the respite and short breaks service at Clannalba often refer to it as ‘a lifeline’. They view it as an incredibly valuable resource that allows them to have some time to themselves, safe in the knowledge that their family member is being supported by one of the leading autism organisations.

Scottish Autism “is dedicated to enriching the lives of those with autism” but is also there to reach out to families and carers.

To find out more about respite and short breaks at Clannalba or to refer a family to Scottish Autism to access the service please visit our website.