Our History
The Haven Appeal (2012 - 2023)
- 2012: The Elsie Normington Foundation charity was started.
- 2013: ENF received charitable status in May and fundraising began.
- 2014: Launch of the Haven Vision at a large choir event in Eden Court Theatre.
- 2015: Small grants were received to help with the development phase and architectural plans of the Haven Centre were started. The Highland Council purchased the plot of land and would hold it for the charity until the funds were raised.
- 2018: First big grant of £380,000 pledged from the Robertson Trust.
- 2020: The Lottery committee agreed to give a large grant.
- 2021: The Scottish Government promised a large grant which finalised the fundraising target.
- 2022: On 9th March, the first spade in the ground started the building of the Haven Centre.
- 2023: On 23rd August, the Haven Centre was officially opened.
The Haven Centre
The Elsie Normington Foundation was set up to develop a specialist multi-purpose facility in Inverness called the Haven Centre for children and young people with multiple and complex needs.
The Centre, which opened in August 2023, delivers inclusive community spaces where children and young people with the most complex needs have access to facilities, ensuring that their social needs are met and respite can be accessed.