TRAINEES from the Centre for Adolescent Rehabilitation in Okehampton spoke movingly about how the organisation had helped them change their lives for the better at a special presentation in Okehampton's Charter Hall last Thursday.
The four trainees who received awards were the latest to graduate from an 11-week residential course at C-FAR's base at Okehampton Camp, bringing the total to 31 since June last year.
The pioneering project, which promotes an holistic programme of personal development and empowerment for individuals locked in a cycle of persistent re-offending, is due to be extended to other areas of the South West and South East.
Almost 80 per cent of 19-year-olds admitted to prison re-offend within two years and the aim of C-FAR is to decrease that percentage.
A special merit award was presented to trainee Richard who demonstrated the most consistent determination and effort through the residential phase of the programme, which is followed by nine months 'mentor' support.
His prize will come later in the summer when he joins a team of people on an expedition to Greenland on a 50ft former ocean racing boat — a trip which has been organised in part by South Dartmoor Rescue Group member Denise Richards.
Before an audience of invited guests including representatives from the police, probation service, prison service and the local community, Richard spoke about how the course had started him on the road to changing his life and how he now wanted to help other people in the same situation.
Addicted to heroin and facing a two-year jail sentence, a few months ago Richard's life was in tatters but there was an underlying will to change. By helping him to believe in himself and presenting him with challenges which he rose to, Richard began the process of turning himself around.
'Heroin became an addiction and I got into all sorts of trouble from shoplifting to affray,' he said. 'I was in court in January and I got my sentence deferred to come to C-FAR.
'I did not think anybody could help me but the staff have been great — they said I could do it and I have.'
Working on building relationships and social skills, developing self-discipline and taking responsibility for your actions have been combined with basic numeracy and literacy skills and other tuition such as anger management and how to stem alcohol and drugs abuse.
Expeditions on Dartmoor and other outdoor activities have helped build up teamwork, perseverance and endurance.
Richard is planning to work in the voluntary sector in Okehampton before going to college to study social work. 'If I can help one person after all this I will be getting somewhere,' he said.
Another trainee Dan, who is also planning to study at North Devon College, said he had developed this saying from being a C-FAR: 'It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice.'
C-FAR founder and chief executive Trevor Philpott said the success rate of trainees completing the course and returning to normal society was around 67 per cent and improving all the time.
He said these young people had had a life time of being told they were bad, evil, thick or useless and it was about turning that around so they had value in themselves.
'It is a mindset change from negative attitudes to positive ones,' he said. 'We run a very holistic programme but the bottom line is enhancement of their social and communication skills. If you can communicate and socialise you can do anything you like.'
C-FAR is currently funded by charities, trusts, the National Lottery and the European Social Fund but hopes its work will be funded by the Government in the future.