COMMUNITY

‘Community', in the narrower sense of a group of people choosing to live and work together for the common good, is nothing new. Such communities have always existed, often set apart because they're “different”, but usually admired for adherence to positive principles, mutual commitment and “The Good Life”. Maybe you, as you read this article, are one of many with a secret yearning to get away from it all, yet still be involved in a worthwhile cause.

Gilead Foundations is a Christian therapeutic community, based on a 320 acre dairy farm in Devon, whose main foundational aspect is community care. Approximately 30 community members & children care for another 30 people who are battling with life-controlling problems such as drug & alcohol abuse & related issues.

The countryside environment, less accessible to temptation, helps to rehabilitate individuals desperate to break free from their addictions.

One of the community's core principles is promote a sense of family, identity & security - often missed in an individual's background. Most people live in the community complex, & work has begun for 3 new large 14 bedroom houses, whose foundations are already built. The community is endeavouring to raise a further £700,000 to complete the whole project, including car parks & landscaping, a.s.a.p.

The organic farm itself supplies all the community's dairy & meat needs, as well as part of the income needed to finance the whole project. Practical involvement in the daily routine of dairying, milk processing and livestock management provides excellent therapy for the students who come for help. One of the current challenges is expanding sales of organic dairy products.

Gilead is always keen to recruit skilled workers not only to enhance the community but also to help train the students. As the centre is registered with National Care Standards & with City & Guilds, everyone is encouraged to train to gain qualifications in the skills gained in the community's various departments. Those who choose to become part of the community share work in the various departments, not only on the farm, but also in administration, catering, maintenance, building, mechanics, & childcare.

The community supplies its members with all their basic needs, accommodation, transport, etc, plus a small weekly financial allowance. They may also have the opportunity to get involved in the GF communities internationally developing in Romania, Nigeria, and Canada.

Returning to the community's primary focus – the students – there is a very structured training course in place, divided into 3 phases:

• Phase 1 - a 6 week detox period.
• Phase 2 (20 weeks) - Relapse prevention & dealing with root problems, taught both on a one-to-one basis and as group therapy. In addition to learning to live an addiction-free lifestyle, the students learn basic life skills & valuable work ethics.
• Phase 3 (30 weeks) offers more freedom, as they put into operation their relapse prevention training & take on more responsibility in the community.
As students complete their training, they are supported in moving back into society, though some choose to remain in the community.

The Christian aspect also has a positive effect on the environment, and everyone is involved in morning devotional times (“thought for the day”), 3 evening sessions of group discussion & therapy, & community church meetings on Sunday mornings. Whilst “being a Christian” is not a requirement, the community ethos is based on Christian principles.

Has this brief overview of GF aroused your curiosity, or whetted your appetite to take a closer look?
We are always seeking to expand the core community.
If you have any of the skills mentioned above, or you're a support worker, therapist, counsellor, nurse, teacher, gardener, or HGV driver, we can use your skills! Whether you come short or long-term.

We urgently need people skilled in Catering, animal husbandry, building & maintenance, & motor mechanics.

Please see Vacancies page for more information about the opportunities & needs we have. For further info, please contact us for a chat or application form:

Ian and Bronwen Samuel
Gilead Foundations
Risdon Farm, Jacobstowe, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 3AJ