Nicky Marr: Our world could do with more like Elsie
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The world needs people who stand up for what they believe in. It needs people who see when something needs to be done, and who, instead of sitting back and complaining, muster up all of their determination, tenacity and contacts, and start making things happen.
Last Friday night, at The Drumossie Hotel in Inverness, I was in company of one such woman, the tirelessly impressive Elsie Normington. Elsie and I were in the supportive company of nearly 200 of the people who Elsie has gathered, on her decade-long journey to build The Haven in Inverness.
The occasion was The Haven Highland Hooley, an evening of fun, fantastic food, and – in every sense of the word – ceilidh. Our primary purpose was fundraising. And between the people in the room, and with the generous support of sponsors, Highland Industrial Supplies and Compass Building in particular, over £50,000 was raised to Kit out the Café at The Haven.
In case you’re playing catch-up, let me explain. Elsie is mum to Andrew, who has needed additional support all his life. As a mum, Elsie would have loved there to have been somewhere she and Andrew could go, where they be accepted without judgement. Somewhere that Andrew could simply be himself, hang out, and make friends.
In the 90s, when Andrew was wee, Elsie set up SNAP, the Special Needs Action Project. Originally a play group at The Birnie in Raigmore, it’s now based at The Pines in Inverness, and offers play-schemes, social clubs, and weekend and after-school support, to children and young people from the age of five.
But a decade ago Elsie realised families deserved more, and started campaigning to build Scotland’s first multi-purpose centre for children and young adults with severe and multiple learning disabilities and complex needs.
I was lucky to get a hard-hat tour of The Haven site from Thom and Greg the builders. On a generous site overlooking the Moray Firth, sits the hub of The Haven. This will be SNAP’s new home, allowing them to eat into their years-long waiting lists. It will include a purpose-built play centre, gardens, meeting rooms, and kitchens, and at the heart of it all, a welcoming community café.
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Across the way, three purpose-built short-break flats for young adults are nearing completion. Each will have state-of-the-art facilities, including for live-in carers. The flats will be run by Key Services, instantly tripling their current offering for young adults and families.
It should all open next spring and will support people from all over the Highlands and Islands. Every town deserves a Haven. It will be envied, Scotland wide.
Our mission on Friday was to ‘Kit out the Café’, with everything from mugs, baking trays and food mixers, to fridge units, and ovens. Amazingly, every last teapot, chopping board, and can opener was purchased, with over £50,000 raised. ‘Heart-warming’ doesn’t come close.
It’s frustrating that society needs Elsie Normingtons but thank goodness we have her, and the dedicated army of volunteers and supporters who share her vision.
