A REHABILITATION centre near Okehampton that provides vital support for people who have experienced a variety of life-controlling addictions, has been awarded £200,000.
The grant to Christian community Gilead Foundations, who are based at Risdon Farm, Jacobstowe, will enable the development of a bungalow on-site for its residents.
The charity currently takes up to 30 students.
The Risdon centre was set up by Lois Samuel and her husband when they took over the working farm in 1991.
They decided they wanted to make a difference and put the farm to good use.
She said: 'We wanted to turn the working farm into a centre to provide Christian life training skills for people in need.'
There are two other bungalows on the site and when complete the three buildings will accommodate eight students, two house parents and two key workers.
Mrs Samuel said 'house parents' would act as live-in parents for the students, as a lot of them had come from broken homes.
'It's important that we provide them with the security they need and have perhaps missed out on.'
The £200,000 grant came from the Communities and Local Government Places of Change Programme.
Mrs Samuel said: 'We are always looking at different ways to raise money and are currently trying to build a partnership scheme with people who want to donate a fund on a weekly basis, and who believe in what we are doing.'
She said the money from the partnership scheme would go towards helping students who could not afford to fund themselves.
'There are stacks of them out there who need our help. The fund can be as little as £5 to £10 a week — it all helps in the long run.'
The charity offers a range of support sevices for people with life controlling addictions from drug and alcohol abuse, to gambling, eating disorders, self-harm and other addictive behaviours.
Since it was set up, it has coped with a rising number of students by providing temporary mobile homes on the site, as well as using the farmhouse and other premises.
Finance trustee for Gilead the Rev Mike Davies said: 'At the moment we have static caravans which are fine, but the bungalows are going to be fantastic.
'We are extremely grateful for the grant. It is going to make an enormous difference to the lives of our students and improve on the quality of living.
The students are encouraged to commit to completing the full Christian rehabilitation programme at the farm, which runs in three phases.
These include a detox programme, relapse prevention and life structure.
Mr Davies said: 'These courses enable the students to deal with the effects of drug or alcohol abuse and related problems, helping them to begin to take responsibility for their own actions.
'Giving them the space to live in a family environment in the new bungalows, will help them with their recovery and general living.
'The students here also get involved in training in various areas, which sees them working on the farm and taking part in different activities like milk processing and packing, catering, gardening and horticulture.
'The fact we now have the funds to complete the extra accommodation means Gilead is continuing to grow, with thanks to the support of others.
'We hope to finish the first bungalow by Christmas, but still need to raise £500,000 for the other two.
The charity will be holding a fundraising day on Friday, July 3 at Risdon Farm for businesses to book a table for ten, at £30 per head.
This will include a three-course meal as well as speakers. Donations are being sought for auction. For more information phone Lois Samuel on 01837 851240.