Aberdeen’s Union Street has a new addition, with local charity We Too! opening the doors to its new ‘Ninja HQ’, providing a welcoming space for families of children with disabilities and additional support needs.
The new premises at 170–172 Union Street welcomed invited guests, including Aberdeen’s Lord Provost, supporters, volunteers and staff, for an official opening on Friday 30 October, as the charity celebrates ten years of supporting families across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
For the first time, We Too! will have its office, storage, operational activities and family support services in one place, having previously operated across three separate locations, including the former Ninja HQ within the Trinity Centre.
The new Union Street premises will give families somewhere to drop in for advice and support, access sensory facilities and take part in relaxed activities and sessions that can be difficult to find elsewhere.
Ninja HQ, named after the charity’s staff and volunteers who are affectionately known as ‘Ninjas’, is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 2pm.
Founded in 2015 by a local parent and her disabled son, We Too! began as a free quarterly magazine to help families find accessible activities and support. Ten years on, the magazine reaches 31,000 readers across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, while the charity has grown to provide inclusive activities, practical support and accessibility services across the region.
Phionna McInnes, Chief Executive of We Too!, said: "We’ve been working towards having everything under one roof for some time, so it’s lovely to finally open the doors and welcome families into Ninja HQ.
"Until now, we’ve been spread across different locations, which hasn’t always been ideal for us or the people we support. Having a proper home on Union Street means families can find us more easily, whether they’re looking for advice, want to join an activity or just need somewhere they feel comfortable.
"We’ve grown a lot since that first magazine ten years ago, but what we’re here to do hasn’t changed. We want families to feel supported, included and able to enjoy the same opportunities as everyone else."
We Too!’s work now extends beyond its direct support for families. The charity provides accessibility training and practical support to major events, helping organisers make their activities more inclusive.
Its work includes Aberdeen’s annual SPECTRA festival and Tall Ships Aberdeen, which won the Inclusion Award at the recent Scottish Thistle Awards.
We Too! was also a finalist in two categories at the Celebrate Aberdeen Awards on Saturday 31 October: Small Charity of the Year and Event or Campaign of the Year, the latter recognising its work on Accessible SPECTRA.
As the charity enters its second decade, it is also looking to strengthen its Board of Trustees. We Too! would welcome interest from people who can bring additional skills and experience, particularly in HR, fundraising and funding development.
Tori Chamberlain, Chair of the Board of Trustees at We Too!, said: "There’s been a huge amount of work involved in getting Ninja HQ ready, and we’d like to say a massive thank you to the many local businesses, volunteers and our charity Ninjas who’ve given their time and worked so hard to get everything ready for opening.
"Having a permanent home on Union Street is a big step for the charity. It gives us room to develop what we offer families, and we’re pleased to be bringing something positive to the city centre at the same time.
"We’re also looking ahead to what We Too! can achieve over the next ten years. We’d love to hear from people who might be interested in joining our Board and helping us build on what’s already been achieved."