HUNTLY House, on the corner of Huntly Place and Abban Street, opened 18 years ago and has since become very much a part of the caring scene in Inverness.
But apart from knowing that it is a centre for the homeless and runs a soup kitchen every night in Waterloo Place, not many realise that this haven - the only such facility north of Perth is something of a centre of excellence.
The buildings are owned by Highland Council, the centre is run by the Salvation Army, but the ethos is non-denominational Christian, with 32 local clergy participating in the Wednesday services.
Salvation Army founder, General William Booth had a practical philosophy - “Soup, Soap and Salvation”. In other words, he felt it necessary to feed the body and give people self-respect before tackling their spiritual needs.
Huntly House itself is home to 27 residents, and another 27 live in supported accommodation, all along Huntly Place and at various other locations nearby - in Gilbert Street, Abban Street, George Street and Tannery Court.
There is a steady stream of single, vulnerable, homeless people who, for various reasons, are in real need of a helping hand. Some arrive with psychological difficulties, others are struggling to cope with lives which have simply fallen apart. The culture of binge drinking in the Highlands and Islands has a lot to answer for - the incidence of this type of drinking is the highest in all of Europe.
Most of the residents are referred by doctors, social workers and similar agencies; some simply turn up at the door. Many have to be turned away.
The centre is never empty: at present there are men - and a few women - aged from 19 to 78.
Though the regime is more flexible these days than perhaps it was in the early days, there is a regular routine, with three meals a day and a plethora of activities to engage residents’ interest.
Last November MP Charles Kennedy opened Caber-Ceilidh, their Skills Acquisition Centre, housed in a wooden building in the garden. Here the residents have facilities for joinery, pottery, technical drawing and sewing. They can mend everything from a broken chair to torn trousers. Another building is going up alongside, to house a small computer facility, as so many jobs need computer skills. With these workshops and in conjunction with outside assessors from Inverness College, residents will be able to gain SVQ accreditation - another step back to self-respect and an independent life.
Residents also do the painting and decorating that is needed around the premises. A couple of years ago they converted a store room into a café - called Ness Cafe! - and not only did the necessary basic refurbishment but also painted the murals that decorate it. There are besides a fair-sized garden for the green-fingered, a fitness room, snooker, darts, table tennis and pool. Residents are encouraged to use their own initiative and organise their own leisure events. After a fund-raising campaign last year residents were able to purchase a number of mountain bikes. Last month they held a sponsored cycle run round the Beauly Firth to make their contribution to the centre’s facilities. And they have a small musical combo.
Outdoor events are also important, and in summer there is an outing every week - bird-watching, hill-walking, fishing. Every year a party of residents go on holiday to Butlins in Skegness.
Altogether Huntly House has a staff of around 30; centre manager/programme co-ordinator for the last five years is Alex Campbell, aided by deputy centre manager for the last 14 years, Sandy Frame, and Colin Rouse, assistant manager for the last seven years.
But truly all the staff pull together enthusiastically, along with the residents themselves, and are justifiably proud of what they can offer the most vulnerable members of society to get back on their feet, by encouraging their sense of achievement and self worth.
Says Colin Rouse, “We try to create a family atmosphere - and a Christian one at that. The young ones learn about respect: this place has got something too many have never seen before - it’s called Love.”