Daniel Kane, of Ground and Gardens, joins in the start of work to create a community garden at the Haven Centre. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Work has begun on creating a welcoming and nurturing community garden at a pioneering Inverness centre for children and young adults with complex needs.
Two years after opening, the Haven Centre at Smithton is now embarking on its Planting Seeds and Growing Friendships project where individuals can explore, learn, and flourish through meaningful horticultural activities.
The groundworks will be carried out by landscaping company, Ground and Gardens, which has welcomed young people with additional support needs into its work force.
It will be their first employment since leaving St Clement’s School in Dingwall.
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The Haven Centre, which is Scotland’s first multi-purpose centre for children and young adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities, opened in August 2023 .
Driven by the Elsie Normington Foundation (ENF), it took 10 years and £4.8 million to achieve and features an indoor specialist play centre, a community café, meeting spaces and outdoor space plus three respite flats for children and young adults up to the age of 30.
By fostering opportunities for connection, the garden project is designed to promote social inclusion and integration within the wider community, reflecting the charity’s commitment to providing safe, supportive spaces for socialising and learning.
A key focus is to enhance physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing, ensuring the garden becomes a place where people and friendships can grow.
Daniel Kane, Rona Matheson, of the Elsie Normington Foundation, and James Mann, landscape construction manager. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Andrew Murray, ENF interim chief executive, welcomed the start of work on the garden and said although the site clearance had started, the charity was also raising money for specialist equipment, raised beds and paths on site to enable young people to have a range of experiences and opportunities.
They were also keen to speak to any local businesses who wanted to be involved in developing what was an exciting and innovative project.
“Our purpose at the Elise Normington Foundation is to create thriving, accessible communities across the Highlands where young people with multiple disabilities can play, connect and thrive,” he said.
“We are thrilled that after two years of the Haven opening, we can now celebrate the start of our new garden project.
“This will allow for a whole range of new opportunities for young people to enjoy, volunteer and develop their skills on site.”
James Mann and Daniel Kane get to work on the garden project. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Rona Matheson, ENF development officer, also voiced her delight that the community garden project was moving forward.
“Guided by our garden co-ordinator and supported by volunteers, the project will provide meaningful horticultural experiences while extending the vital services already offered at the Haven Centre,” she said.
“We warmly welcome volunteers of all abilities to join us, and we are grateful to our sponsors so far—while encouraging local businesses and organisations to get involved in supporting this exciting new chapter.”
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