AUTUMN 2021 Christian faith-based Women’s Centre, providing a supported living service on a farm in Devon, for women who have had experiences including addiction, anxiety, homelessness and domestic abuse.
Unlocking people... releasing potential
Hand painted by a resident
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News Inside
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• Bible College for Sharon • A blooming harvest
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• Festivals
STORIES FROM OUR RESIDENTS “
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I am feeling excited about the future. The support I have received here at Gilead has given me the confidence to apply to Regents Bible College. Creation Fest group 2021
I am leaving this September to start a 3-year course in Applied Theology. For those of you who pray please do as I start this next part of my journey. As I write (August) I am living in a self-contained resident flat in Grace Lodge and have been able to support our newer residents. I have just finished volunteering at Made-well and YMCA helping with general duties and in their café. I recently attended Creation Festival in Cornwall.”
- Sharon
I have been at Gilead since February, since then I have been able to stop drinking and using cannabis. I had a lot of stress in my life and the staff have helped me to feel safe and I am recovering well now. I love being with the animals on the farm and I enjoy milking the cows. I have recently started working with the chickens. There are lots of lovely places to walk which really helps my mental health. When I first came to Gilead, I was underweight and unhealthy, now people comment on how well I look.
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I came to Gilead almost four weeks ago, to hopefully get help with my addiction.
Gilead has exceeded all my expectations and I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to be a resident in this supportive and motivational environment. The staff and volunteers are brilliant, and they go over and beyond their duties. I feel privileged to be given this opportunity to change my life. I thoroughly enjoy the gardening and harvesting from the polytunnel for the house table and enjoy preparing and cooking healthy meals with fresh produce.
I have reconnected with my children and family and spent a lot of time with them. I’ve got myself a rescue doggy who is keeping us busy. It hasn’t been all plain sailing, there have been hard days but I’m in a different emotional space to where I was a year ago and more accepting of difficult days and knowing that it will pass. The immediate future is settling my son into secondary school and my daughter into 6th form. I would like to work again next year but for now concentrate on being at home. I’ve restarted music teaching from home which is good. The stay at Gilead helped me to regulate sleeping and eating patterns and take a long hard look at myself and where I was going wrong. It put me in touch with organisations that I still get support from now and helped me to sort out various physical issues which I had been neglecting. I made lifelong friendships and am still in touch with some of the people who helped me along my way. It wasn’t the easiest 6 months but I’m glad I did it.
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Coming to Gilead has changed my life and now I want to stay in this area as I know it is much better for me than where I was before.
I’ve settled back in at home and had a good clear out and got the garden done. I have been growing a lot in my garden, mostly things I learnt from Ingrid. She was so enthusiastic and patient with me especially in the early days.
- Resident after moving on from her stay at Gilead
My faith in God has become much stronger and I am a lot happier.”
- Resident
The whole Christian environment offers love and support with no judgement. I personally enjoy the Bible study and the programme as it gives me a better understanding of myself, and a peaceful and fulfilling feeling which I will take with me when I leave Gilead with my new tools to start my journey in the outside world. I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to all who are involved at Gilead. Thank you to all who support this amazing charity. The best decision I have made to change my life forever.
- Dee
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I grew up in Cornwall and when my parents left the country to become Missionaries, I moved away from the area for work. I never really lost my passion for living near the coast and when I felt like God was stirring me for job at Gilead at Easter this year, I jumped at the Idea. The role is a good balance between comfortable and challenging. I attend exhibitions with the Gilead stand, keep the social media sites updated and much more. I look forward to what the future holds in my job role here at Gilead.
- Cathy
A BLOOMING GOOD HARVEST HERE AT GILEAD! These past six months have been exciting times for Gilead and the residents, as we have been able to grow our own vegetables in our 50’ polytunnel. We have been harvesting our home grown produce since April for lunch and dinner and are looking to how we can use and preserve our chilies in appetising ways! Outside we have a herb planter and lots of plants on the patio to brighten it up with Dahlias, Gladioli
Harvesting Beetroot
and lots of bedding plants. We are learning about the work and effort that goes into growing and nurturing all veg and ornamental plants from watering to feeding and cropping at the right time. We now have our greenhouse in place and will be starting seed sowing for autumn/winter and spring crops plus move the chilies and peppers into their new home. The European Social Fund and the Education and Skills Funding Agency grant last year enabled Gilead to set up the new Horticulture project and to employ a horticulturist to manage it and offer education and practical training based on the principles of social and therapeutic horticulture. The ladies now take part in a programme of classes, where activity is tailored to their abilities so that they can be actively involved no matter their level of experience or knowledge.
We are working with Petroc College again as we launch our exciting `Cooking for Life’ project, having been awarded another ESF grant. We can now employ a Catering Supervisor to support our women in their budgeting and cooking, equipping them for future independent living and employment.
the horticulture work experience area for our women. The Greenhouse
Thanks to The Finnis Scott Foundation and The Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust for their support towards the purchase of a large greenhouse, we can continue growing
ANNE-MARIE JOINS THE SUPPORT TEAM
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I had been looking to return to working in a care environment. Something about Gilead being a Christian based Charity drew me to apply. This place is amazing and has a wonderful atmosphere it really is a special place. Watching these brave women walk through the door broken and then in a very short time begin to blossom is truly wonderful. It has strengthened me as a Christian embracing the impact God’s healing has on these ladies and their journey.” - Anne-Marie Polytunnel
We were delighted to have been chosen to receive £1000 from Kingswood Homes, who are building in the area, to buy a freezer for our food store and make good a craft room for our residents to get together and make creations.
This is some of their handiwork at the recent Creation Festival. Lesley also donated a hamper to give away as a prize. Creation Festival stand
Craft room
We also received a very generous donation from Howdens Builders Merchants in Okehampton. They provided us with two fire doors with all the fittings and a kitchen sink base unit, plus other items. We would like to thank Steve Yates the Manager and his team for their generosity.
HOW TO APPLY
Please look up our `How to apply’ leaflet available on our website www.gilead.org.uk Please call or email us if we can support your church, organisation or your family in any way.
WAYS TO HELP MORE PEOPLE LIKE SHARON:
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Risdon Farm Jacobstowe Okehampton EX20 3AJ