Vision Statement
Please click here to download a PDF version of the Vision Statement below.
1. Introduction
‘Talitha Koum’ is an initiative of Release Ipswich (which is a registered charity – No 1135528) for the establishment of a residential Christian Therapeutic Community for women caught up in addictive behaviours and wanting to change the direction of their lives. It will be open to those of any belief or none. The project name means ‘little girl, get up’ and is taken from the Bible.
The Talitha Koum community will be one of very few such projects in the UK and is much needed, especially in Suffolk in the wake of the murders in 2006 which took the lives of 5 vulnerable women. It is envisaged as a place of refuge and an opportunity for positive life-change.
It is essential within our objectives of promoting a sense of family identity and security, to establish this project in the countryside, making it less accessible to temptation and distractions.
2. The Need
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.
3. Our Aims
We aim to help women who have drug and alcohol addictions, giving them a rare and creative opportunity to change the direction of their lives.
The carefully designed Talitha Koum programme offers the students (as they are known) a structured path from addiction to recovery. Choosing to live and work together for the good of the community helps create a sense of belonging; a family feel with an identity and security, encouraging hope for the future.
In the setting of a Suffolk Farm, an ideal place to leave distractions behind and harness the peace and quite of the countryside, the project will utilise the land by starting a 21st Century Smallholding. This is for two major reasons; a means of therapy for the women as they learn new skills, and a revenue stream to bring partial funding for the project.
4. Selection Criteria
Applicants will be screened, through the statutory authorities, for 4 weeks before being able to join the programme. A maximum number of 12 women will be offered a place at any one time.
• Students will be post detox (i.e. given up drugs and alcohol) thereby proving they want to change their lives.
• The students themselves will apply to join the therapeutic community
• Students are given full medical, psychological, emotional and social assessments by the Talitha Koum team assisted by health professionals before being accepted.
5. Treatment and Daily Routine
After an induction, the students join individually tailored therapy and courses (including the long established 12 steps programme initiated by Alcoholics Anonymous), according to their requirements. These are designed to address both their current needs and the challenging issues of avoiding relapse and living in the wider community.
The Talitha Koum Community will work with social enterprises. Our 21st Century Smallholding will teach basic horticulture and animal husbandry. In the IT suite students will gain basic educational skills and be offered help with everyday use of computer-based technology. In addition to this students through their work schedules, will learn about food hygiene, cooking and catering.
As the project develops it also will include basic building skills to assist with the construction of the accommodation building, art, performing arts and music. We will offer accredited courses to assist the students in gaining meaningful qualifications and skills for later in life.
Our aim is to give both the training and experience needed to find work. The project will also help to find paid employment for the students when they move on from the therapeutic community.
The students have a structured daily programme which includes assignment to various tasks involved with cooking, cleaning and studying. All the group and individual work will benefit from support, supervision and encouragement to help them achieve independent living upon completion of the programme.
Typical Daily Routine
7.00 am Rise 14.00 pm Group Session
8.00 am Breakfast 15.30 pm Tea Break
8.30 am Chores 16.00 pm Study / homework
9.00 am Reflection 17.00 pm Chores
9.30 am Group Session 18.00 pm Dinner
11.00 am Coffee 19.00 pm Recreational/Community Activity
11.30 am Chores 21.30 pm Coffee
13.00 pm Lunch 22.30 pm Bed time
6. Comings and Goings.
The students will be brought to the site in a mini- bus on designated days and will also only travel out in this way, either at the end of their stay or (accompanied) on visits to family/children or for pre-arranged education sessions in the wider community. At other times the students will be required to remain on site. They will be fully supervised at all times.
7. People Profile
Several people who have successfully come out of addiction following a similar programme to that of Talitha Koum, have offered to be an integral part of the project, helping the students to live in their extended family groups with house leaders and volunteer workers and bringing a positive and encouraging presence. It is our intention that all students will have access to such people and that these ‘sponsors’ will be available to take part in group sessions and bring their active support as those who have ‘been there’ and come through.
8. Partnership Working
Working with different organisations, from charities to statutory bodies, is vital to the long term success of Talitha Koum. We are already closely identified with a number of groups prepared to work in association with the project. We believe that working in partnership in this way will not only help us gain more knowledge and a better insight into some of the issues we will experience but will encourage us to make the best use of our resources.
We believe that this partnership working will also bring great advantage to those students who successfully complete their stay with us, potentially offering mentoring, accommodation and part time paid employment.
9. Going out into the wider Community
Through Talitha Koum we aim to ensure that our students are fully prepared for life in the wider community. In part, the third treatment programme (Education & Community) is designed to fill this aim. Its emphasis of hands on practical experience and long term community support is vital to the students’ success.
Through our network of Christian churches across the denominations, people are offering help (including financial support) to the project. We have a great many skilled volunteers who are prepared to be involved.
10. Organisations in Association with the project.
We have wide ranging support, including that offered by statutory authorities, private companies, charities and individuals.
BEAT - Business Enterprise Advice & Training
Charitable Organisation – Patron Lord Ramsbotham
(Formerly HM Inspector of Prisons). National organisation working directly in prisons giving advice and support to those leaving prison to assist in self employment and reintegration into business/working
Beyond The Streets
National organisation, working with and providing support for the homeless, disadvantaged and prostitutes.
Heart for Ipswich
Non denominational umbrella organisation – uniting Christian groups in Ipswich (membership between 400-500 groups)
Find – Families in Need
Led by Maureen Reynell (MBE). Ipswich based organisation, established for 19 years – providing support for all homeless and deprived families in need.
Inspire Counselling & Training
Ipswich Christian-based Charity. Offers professional counselling to those of all faiths or none. Providing mentoring and training for both prospective students and staff at Talitha Koum.
“The Talitha Koum community seeks to offer a new perspective, freedom and release for our students. This exciting project echoes the hope that we at Inspire have for our clients”
Ipswich Borough Council
Liz Harsant (Counsellor and Trustee of Somebody’s Daughter). Taking an interest and offering guidance and advice.
Perspectives
Ipswich based charity. Pregnancy advice centre – offers post abortion advice & support. Providing health workers and supporting women who have turned to addiction following abortion.
Ipswich Town Pastors
Christian Organisation. Working with the police on the streets every week, Friday & Saturday nights from 10.00pm to 04.00am – Chaired by Reverend Paul Daltry
STEP
Norfolk based charity working with prostitutes and their children to help support them with daily living, looking at plans to set up an Ipswich Based STEP programme
Suffolk County Council
Working with Sarah Sharlott – Head of Service, Enterprise, Employment and Advice,
responsible for Whitehouse Enterprises and Growing places, (Claydon).
Offering advice and support for those with learning difficulties and mental health problems and assisting return to work. Facilitating regular meetings to help ensure partnership working.
The Suffolk Foundation Trust
Charity trust led by David Sheepshanks – administering monies raised by Somebody’s Daughter Trust. £20,000 already pledged to Talitha Koum Project
“The Suffolk Foundation is pleased to be able to support the work of Talitha Koum with a grant from ‘Somebody’s Daughter Fund, and it is hoped that with the creation of the therapeutic community centre, women can be helped to carve out for themselves a life free of turmoil, fear and vulnerability.”
Suffolk Foundation
EMMAUS
National charity. Emmaus communities offer homeless people known as companions, a home, work and a chance to rebuild their lives in a supportive environment.
Ipswich Umbrella Trust
Ipswich based charity run by Roger Fern (former Lord Mayor of Ipswich). Recently established charity whose aims are to work with and help individuals and families caught up in chaotic lifestyles, some of them homeless.