The Elsie Normington Foundation was created with a vision. A vision for a place in the Highlands where children and young people with additional support needs, and their families, could feel welcomed, supported and included. Years of determination, fundraising and support from people across the Highlands helped turn that vision into something real.
The Haven Centre
Since opening, The Haven Centre has become a place where families can play, meet, stay, eat, connect and spend time together. It is home to our specialist Play Centre, Haven Café, accessible accommodation and spaces used by families, community groups, charities and professionals. And as The Haven Centre has grown, so has the way people know us. That is why the Elsie Normington Foundation will now be known publicly as The Haven Centre.
Why are we making the change?
Quite simply, we want our name to reflect the full picture of what The Haven Centre is today. Until now, people may have come across both the Elsie Normington Foundation and The Haven Centre and wondered whether they were two different organisations. They are part of the same story. The Foundation was created to make The Haven Centre possible, and today the Centre brings together everything that vision has helped create. The Haven Centre is not just one part of what happens here.It is the Play Centre, the Haven Café, our accessible Haven Suites and the wider spaces, services and opportunities that continue to grow around them. Together, they make up The Haven Centre. Bringing our public identity under one name will make it easier to find us, recognise us and understand everything available here. Over the coming weeks, you may notice changes to our website, social media handles and other online channels as we move everything across to The Haven Centre.
What is changing?
Our public-facing name will become The Haven Centre. You will begin to see that name used across our website, social media and communications, alongside updated online details.
What is not changing?
The people, purpose and vision behind The Haven Centre remain exactly the same. Elsie Normington is still very much part of The Haven Centre and will continue to be closely involved as it develops. Her vision was the starting point for everything that exists here today, but it is not simply part of our history. It continues to shape the Centre and the work we do. The team remains focused on creating a welcoming and inclusive place for children and young people with additional support needs, their families and the wider community across the Highlands. So this is not about moving away from the Elsie Normington Foundation or the story behind it. It is about bringing everything together under the name that now represents the full Centre and everything happening within it. From a vision, to a Foundation, to a Centre that continues to grow.
Same story. Next chapter. The Haven Centre.