The Mission of Talitha Koum is to "bring healing, Christian hope and practical support for women caught up in addictive behaviour".
This will be achieved by setting up a residential Christian Therapeutic Community for women only. This will be open to those of any faith or none. This will provide vulnerable women with a ’route out’ of addictive behaviour through the power of the Christian faith, structured treatment plan and long term support to prevent relapse and to facilitate regeneration into society.
We will work with our primary stakeholders, who are (i) Christians who have a compassionate heart and (ii) Partnerships with third sector organisations, Statutory Authorities, Private companies, and Individuals. (iii) The women who are referred or approach us for assistance.
The project name means ‘little girl, get up’ and is taken from the Bible. However, it will be open to those of any belief or none.
Our Patron is Right Reverend Nigel Stock, Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese and a member of the House of Lords. Read more in our press release. He has close links with Ipswich and has spoken at the joint church Pentecost service on the main town square (see picture).
Today in Ipswich and the surrounding villages, many people struggle with a serious dependency on drink or drugs. For some, this has led to health problems, a loss of freedom and an inability to work and contribute to society. It is hard to feel valued or valuable in these circumstances.
Although some positive steps have been made to improve services to this vulnerable group, we believe there is real and urgent need for a residential haven of peace, healing and learning.
Students (i.e.residents) will be carefully selected and take part in structured training programmes prior to be assisted back into employment through social enterprises associated with the project. They will also be given extended support to settle into a local community.
Planning Permission has been given for a suitable farm based site after initially receiving the approval of the local Parish Council. We also now have final building regulation approval. Building work began on 7th September 2011 (see picture below of the first cutting of the ground) and it is hoped to have the first students on site in Autumn 2012. See latest building progress pictures here and the latest site planting pictures here !
Please read the Vision Statement for this exciting project and consider how you might be able to get involved in fulfilling it - in particular see the opportunities for volunteering which are many and varied !