Scottish Government Minister sees at first hand work of the Haven Centre for young people with complex needs

A Scottish Government Minister has seen at first hand the difference a pioneering centre is making to young people with complex needs in the Highlands.

Natalie Don, the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, toured the Haven Centre in Inverness where she met some of its users and families as well as staff, supporters and volunteers.

The £4.8 million centre, which is Scotland’s first integrated play centre and respite facility for children and young adults with complex needs and disabilities, opened its doors in August last year.

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During her tour, Ms Don met representatives from Special Needs Action Project (SNAP) which runs the play centre.

Afterwards, she said the highlight of her visit had been speaking to the children and young people and seeing the difference the centre makes to them – plus sitting in a giant comfy bean bag!

“It has been fantastic, very positive,” she said.

“I have heard such good things about the Haven Centre.

“Speaking to some of the families and young people about the service, I can see how much it is valued.”

She was also impressed with the centre’s community cafe run by dedicated volunteers and staff.

The centre in Murray Road, Smithton, took 10 years to achieve and was driven by the Elsie Normington Foundation.

The Scottish Government provided more than £1.6 million to the capital project and recently gave further funding of nearly £70,000 to help the charity as it grows its services in the Highlands.

It follows a wrangle earlier this year when the charity voiced disappointment after being told it would not receive expected funding of £136,544 from the government.

Ms Don said there was a very difficult financial climate and the government had been very proud to support the centre and that dialogue would continue.

She visited the Haven Centre on the day the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (Incorporation) Act comes into force in Scotland which she said was a milestone for advancing children’s rights in Scotland.

“We want all young people to grow up loved, safe and respected and the UNCRC Act aims to do just that,” she said.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure that children and young people are at the heart of decisions that affect them and that they have the confidence and skills to get involved.”

Ms Don was accompanied on her visit around the Haven Centre by Elsie Normington Foundation patron Elizabeth Mackintosh, vice chairman of the board of trustees, Ian Matheson, service manager Kirstin Mackay and development officer Rona Matheson.

Mrs Matheson said the minister had been struck by the inclusive nature of the centre’s cafe which was open and accessible not just to the centre users but also to the community and had also recognised the dedication of the volunteers.

She felt the minister’s visit paved the way for greater dialogue on how the charity and the Scottish Government could work together on developing the delivery of vital services.

“I believe the Elsie Normington Foundation brought the Scottish Government to see a first-time service in the Highlands,” she said.

“That is hugely satisfying to us as a charity.

Foundation founder Mrs Normington was unable to be present but said: “We remain ever humble and thankful for the support shown for our charity by the local community and beyond as we navigated our first year of operation.

“We are a small charity with big ambitions and will continue to develop and deliver new projects in the Highlands which will support local children and young adults with learning disabilities and their parents and carers.”

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