FARM PROPERTY TO BE SOLD AN ENORMOUS CHALLENGE

The motivation to help more people trapped in addiction and dysfunctional lifestyles led us to begin a farm project in partnership with the Tearfund UK & Ireland Team. Our belief is, and evidence reveals, that the farm setting is an ideal place to get alongside people who are damaged and hurting, enabling strong supportive relationships to be established. Working together, taking responsibility for the wellbeing of livestock, is most therapeutic and fosters development of the caring and nurturing characteristics of humanity, which can make a huge improvement in human relationships, particularly the parent/child relationship. Along with our town-based projects, a 15-acre smallholding in the beautiful Goyt Valley, has for the last 7 years supported clients including those with drug/alcohol related issues, depression/mental health issues and long-term unemployment, and others referred from both the Youth and Adult Probation Services. The aim is to encourage self-discipline and to empower people to gain skills for employment. Care Farming is now being recognised to be an effective means of helping people who are disadvantaged to overcome obstacles and move forward in their lives, learn new skills, develop a healthy life-style, build stronger families and therefore contribute to stronger communities. The farm property is to be sold, which presents us with an enormous challenge if we are to purchase it. As well as securing the existing projects, we need to create a safe residential facility for women with young children who are seeking to recover from addictions, and often also fleeing abusive relationships. There will be up to five women and their children living at the Farmhouse at any one time. They come from disadvantaged areas across the UK including Hull, Bradford, Manchester, Stockport, and also locally from High Peak and Derbyshire. Referrals coming from Community Drug Teams, Social Care, Probation, Health Services, voluntary and church groups. Buxton and High Peak (including Glossop and New Mills) have a serious and growing drug problem, which is mirrored nationally. Buxton includes the Fairfield Council Housing Estate, originally built as Manchester over-spill, housing approximately one third of the town’s population. The farm will continue to be used by up to 8 clients daily from the local community, who are struggling with a variety of issues. Gaining the farmhouse will greatly improve the experience for everyone who accesses the project, since there will be space for a training room and a welcoming farmhouse kitchen to relax or do group-work together. Together with our Structured Day Programme and caring ethos, we believe purchasing the farm to secure the existing projects, and to provide specific recovery support and accommodation, will give opportunity for people with a variety of life-controlling problems to rebuild their lives and families - but we need significant financial help to achieve this. The projects will continue to be used by clients from the local community, who are struggling with a variety of issues. Clients include the families with whom we currently work (up to 10 within our Family Centre and over 20 in the local community). Referrals come from the Youth Off ending Team, the Community Mental Health Team the Community Drug Team, Social Services, Probation, Health Services and voluntary and church groups. The women in the residential recovery programme come from disadvantaged areas across the UK including among others, Manchester, Stockport, Hull, and Bradford as well as locally from High Peak and Derbyshire, The farmhouse will be the base of the residential recovery work and Structured Day Programme,.  The aim of the project is to empower those struggling with life-controlling difficulties to overcome them and rebuild their own lives and those of their family. We also aim to equip people for work through a combination of practical skills, enhancing a sense of self-esteem, and through the confidence-building courses and cognitive group therapies, which are a part of the Structured Day Programme. When we purchase the property, we will be able to offer a four-phase pathway; the recovery house, family centre, supported housing and community support, ensuring that women have the best possibility of long-term success. For many of the women we serve, addiction is a response to insurmountable struggles. With little financial acumen, mounting debts are frequently exacerbated by poor living conditions, inadequate education, and minimal employment prospects. The cyclical nature of such interconnected problems is well documented. The growing need for affordable programmes is evident throughout the whole sphere of recovery work, but as we have found, those wishing to take children with them have little chance of accessing these facilities. It is well recognised that because their children may be taken into care whilst they go through a recovery programme, they fear that the children will not be returned to them and so few women (compared to men) come forward for help.   Statistics Nationally, 40,000 women per year shelter from domestic violence in refuges. In 2003 in Derbyshire, there were 8,342 incidents of domestic abuse reported to the police. In 2003, there were 1,400 criminal convictions relating to domestic abuse in Derbyshire. In an average year, Derbyshire sees 1,300 women and children escaping to hostels and refuges. New Campaign Urges Abusers to ‘Stop Hurting’.” 6 April 2004. Derbyshire County Council In 2004, 4,000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to the police in Derbyshire. It is estimated that only 35% of domestic abuse cases are reported to the police.   Derbyshire County Council Community Safety Strategy: 2005 –2008 In 2006-07, 2,980 people were vulnerable to homelessness because of domestic violence. 13% of homeless households in England have suffered from domestic violence. Homelessness in England: What is the Problem? 2007 Housing Justice. Up to 39% of all crime in Derbyshire is estimated to be drug related. 51% of drug offences in Derbyshire were committed by offenders under the age of 25. Derbyshire County Council Community Safety Strategy: 2005–2008 Women experiencing domestic abuse are up to 9 times more likely to misuse drugs than women generally, and up to 15 times more likely to misuse alcohol. Women’s Aid 2007 Project Costs The total cost of purchasing, adapting and equipping the property is estimated at £850,000 Capital Expenditure Total Cost of site and new building £750,000 Re-ordering/re-development of existing buildings £75,000 Fees £7,000 Equipment £18,000 Total £850,000