A £60,000 SPONSORSHIP deal to help fund staffing over the next three years for literacy and numeracy courses at C-FAR (Centre for Adolescent Rehabilitation) was announced as the latest batch of trainees completed the centre?s 11-week residential course last week.

Speaking at a celebratory lunch to mark the achievements of the trainees at C-FAR?s base in Highampton, head of Nat West Public Affairs Allan Watt said the bank recognised in C-FAR a dedicated team of people.

He said it was clear the team was determined to make a real difference to the lives of so many youngsters that had fallen foul of the law because of background, family problems or the drug culture that was now so prevalent in our society.

Parents, friends, mentors, police and members of the business community attended the event last Tuesday to see the seven trainees graduate from a course which has now been completed by more than 120 persistent young offenders between the ages of 18-24.

The year-long programme offered by C-FAR includes nine months of mentor support as the trainees find their place in society again, with employment, housing and a new way of life.

One trainee named Adrian explained that a real ?life change? experience was just about to begin for him with a new job in catering, somewhere to live and the continued support of the centre and a personal mentor.

Chief executive of C-FAR Trevor Philpott said successfully completing the intensive training and rehabilitation course was a massive step for these individuals who are referred from prisons and courts throughout the South West.

?There is, however, a bigger challenge ahead when they step back into a new community and hopefully have the willpower to keep away from former friends and colleagues in the criminal world,? he said.

?We will be there throughout the next nine months and longer if need be to help, guide and support them.?

The profile of C-FAR, which has been operating for two years and has received praise from the probation and prison service, was given an extra boost when Conservative leader Iain Duncan-Smith recently visited the site and shadow defence secretary Oliver Letwin described it as the way forward for the Criminal Justice System.

Spokesman for the charity Richard White said the profile of C-FAR was accellerating at an incredible rate and lots of talks were taking place both in this country and in Europe about creating new centres of excellence under the banner of C-FAR.

?This is a small organisation which is punching well above its weight,? he said.

?A major watershed for us was Trevor?s invitation to form part of a panel chaired by Sir Trevor Macdonald that met the Prime Minister at No 10 to discuss crime and punishment in a programme broadcast on TV.?

On top of the sponsorship deal with Nat West, the charity has linked up with Exeter company Destinet which is setting up a C-FAR website and an email newsletter.

Landlords are currently being sought in the Okehampton area to provide rented accommodation for former C-FAR trainees who have secured employment in the community.

Richard said: ?There were lots of employers in West Devon who were prepared to give work to these guys from garages to major manufacturing companies but finding affordable accommodation was somewhat of a problem?.

If anyone can help they should call Richard on 01409 231665.