The Elsie Normington Foundation, in partnership with Special Needs Action Project (SNAP), Thriving Families, Connecting Carers, and Encompass Caithness, is excited to announce the launch of the Haven Consortium – a ground-breaking initiative aimed at improving the lives of young people with disabilities, and their families, across the Highlands.

This innovative consortium brings together five leading Highland charities in disability care and support to create a powerful, united force that will work collaboratively to provide better, more effective support services. By sharing resources, strategies, and expertise, the Haven Consortium aims to drive measurable, long-term positive change for individuals and families facing the impacts of disability.

For users, the consortium represents a new era of support – one where services are not only more accessible but also more responsive to their needs. Through the Haven Consortium, families will also benefit from streamlined services, a network of compassionate support, and a coordinated approach to addressing the gaps in current provision.

The consortium launched officially on the 3rd of March at the Haven Centre Café.

Elsie Normington started proceedings by offering an insight into her inspiration for the Haven Consortium and her vision for it to be the vehicle for real change in the Highlands. Attendees also heard from each charity partner and learned about the vital work they do in the Highlands and what inclusion in the consortium means of them.

Elsie Normington, Chair and Visionary of the Elsie Normington Foundation, said: “The Elsie Normington Foundation recognised the fantastic work being done by the individual charities involved in the consortium and wanted to harness this and work together to make a greater impact.

“The charities involved with the consortium will work together to attract funding to affect real change in service provision for young people living with a disability and their families and carers across the Highlands.

“Our focus is on solutions and not problems, and we are very excited about this positive step in securing better outcomes for young people living with a disability in the Highlands.”