A 1st of its kind provision tailored to enhance the lives of young adults with the most complex needs is formally opening its doors in Knowsley on:- Monday, 16 November 2026.
Elliott’s Haven is a specialist provision for young people with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) who have left formal education.
Based at Southdene Community Centre in Kirkby, Knowsley, Elliott’s Haven welcomes young adults from the age of 19 with the most complex needs, and for whom there is no specialist alternative facility tailored specifically for their very specific needs. If you wish to attend the opening of Elliott’s Haven on:- Monday, 16 November 2026, please contact Elliott’s Haven via email at:- elliotts_haven@yahoo.com.
Named after Elliott McLeod, a 20-year-old from Knowsley Village, Elliott’s Haven is the brainchild of Danielle McLeod, Elliott’s mum.
After spending more than a year trying to find an appropriate educational facility for Elliott after he left Bluebell Park Special School in 2025, Danielle realised there was nothing that was focused specifically on young people with Elliott’s level of complexity.
Danielle McLeod, founder of Elliott’s Haven, said:- “Elliott has a rare complex condition called Leigh’s Disease. It is a mitochondrial disease, which means Elliott must be kept alive by a ventilator and requires 24/7 2-to-1 care. He has the most complex needs, but beyond his condition, he is the most amazing son - an amazing young man. After leaving Bluebell Park, it quickly became apparent to us as a family, that there are so many amazing facilities and services available for young people with special needs and disabilities, but most of them are designed to cater for a broader range of disabilities. There was nothing targeted specifically for Elliott’s needs and his level of complexity. What Elliott needs, and what others with PMLD really need, is a place to go to enhance wellbeing, be kept active, engaged and have joy alongside peers in a safe, protected environment. There is a cliff edge for provision for the most complex young people in society at the age of 19."
Danielle continued:- “We spent a lot of time engaging with the Local Authority, and they recognised there is a gap. And that there are young people eligible for Educational HealthCare Provision and other support, who are either stuck at home, or going to provisions that aren’t designed for them. We are delighted that Elliott’s Haven now exists to bridge that gap! The Haven currently has 8 young people registered, alongside Elliott, and the difference it is making to their quality of life is profound. We believe there are more young adults with the most complex needs across Merseyside who would benefit from attending the Haven, and we urge their parents or guardians to contact us, so they can thrive in the way Elliott is now thriving, smiling and enjoying life in a way that he simply wasn’t after leaving school.”
Elliott’s Haven has been operational since September, but formally opens its doors on Monday, with an event that will be attended by participants, local dignitaries, representatives from Everton in the Community who are working with Elliott’s Haven, and family members and carers of participants benefiting from attending the facility.
The formal opening will be conducted by Everton legend Graeme Sharp, alongside Elliott.
Danielle added:- “Southdene Community Centre has been the perfect location for us to launch Elliott’s Haven. It has a sensory room, and the space we need to deliver a wide range of activities, including arts and crafts, music, cooking, gardening, games and PE. The sessions are designed to keep the young people active, and give them the chance to engage and have fun with peers, with the focus on their quality of life, as these young people all need personal assistants and around the clock care. Whilst independent living isn’t something they will ever be able to do, Elliott’s Haven means they can live as full a life as possible.”
Elliott’s Haven is aimed for young people aged 19 or older with PMLD who require 1-to-1 or 2-to-1 specialist care. If you know a young person on Merseyside who fits this criteria, and who would benefit from being part of Elliott’s Haven, please contact:- info@elliotts-haven.com.
The official opening of Elliott’s Haven will take place at:- Southdene Community Centre, Kirkby, from:- 1:30pm on:- Monday, 16 November 2026.
