A Harrogate-based Christian charity, which has reached its 10-year anniversary, has helped over 100 people on their journey following addiction.
Horizon Life Training offers a 12-month rehabilitation programme for people who have previously completed nine months of rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol.
The programme gives people a home whilst providing other forms of support they need to gain life skills training through education and work-based placements to live independent, drug-free lives.
The charity works closely with Teen Challenge Leeds, another charity working to help people with addictions.
A decade ago Teen Challenge found many men and women were returning to old habits after going into rehab so the idea for a training and residential centre to help them stay drug-free was born.
Horizon Life Training runs two centres: Kennel Hall Farm for men, just outside of Killinghall, and Bramall House for women, near Menwith Hill.
Kennel Hall Farm and Bramall House
More than 100 men have completed the programme, with 75% of them now living free from addiction independently and with jobs.
The women’s house opened in 2019 and has since supported eight women successfully.
Centre manager Bernie Francies said:
“We are passionate to see broken lives transformed, everyone has a back story, no one is beyond repair and everyone is born with a divine purpose.
“Our role as staff is to awaken potential, dreams, aspirations through the love of god and by providing a safe place to renew confidence and strength following addiction.”
Centre manager Bernie Francies
The charity is always looking for more local businesses to work alongside to provide employment opportunities.
The residents work on a voluntary basis but some have gone on to gain full-time employment.
Ms Francies added:
“We have the privilege of walking alongside our residents for 12 months as they re-discover their identity and upskill their CVs to equip and prepare them for successful moves back into the community, social inclusion and future employment.
“We encourage all local businesses, charities and agencies to partner with us to see a life restored back into work whilst also adding value to their team.”
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Horizon Life Training also works with local churches to offer residents additional support.
To apply for the programme or find out how you can support the charity, click here.
Cannabis farm ‘under the noses’ of Ripon residentsResidents and businesses in the Juniper Grove area of Ripon have been shocked to find a cannabis farm on their doorstep.
Witnesses, who did not want to be identified, have told the Stray Ferret about the police raid that unearthed the farm.
Officers broke in to unit 6 at Juniper Grove Business Park at around 11am on March 12 and found more than 50 plants on the premises.
A business owner who watched the raid, said:
“The smell that came out of the building when they broke down the door was over-powering.”
They had assumed that legitimate activities were going on behind the roller shutter doors of the unit which had ‘Micro Concrete’ on its signage.
The business owner added:
“With the covid lockdown, everything around here is quiet at the moment, so it came as a bit of a shock when a large number of police suddenly arrived.”
Juniper Grove Business Park, where the police raided a unit being secretly used as a cannabis farm.
A resident, who lives near the eight-unit business park, pointed out:
“It was opened just over two years ago along with a new homes development.
“It’s a former brown field industrial site, that has been transformed and improved through regeneration.”
Another resident added:
“It came as a surprise to see so much police activity.
“Whatever has been going on at the unit, has clearly been happening under our noses.”
Juniper Grove Business Park backs onto Ripon Grammar School in a predominantly residential area of Ripon.
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After the raid, Inspector Alex Langley of North Yorkshire Police, said:
“The damage that drugs cause to individuals and families is significant, and that’s why it’s important we take this pro-active approach to tackle drug issues Ripon.
“The use of industrial units in the Ripon area is of concern as criminals carry out illegal activity in plain sight.
“I would like to ask local business and premises owners to look out for any suspicious activity. Please let us know if something doesn’t feel quite right. The information you provide allows us to carry out this pro-active work in order to try and safeguard our local communities.”
Two men aged 36 and 38. have been arrested in connection with the find and released under investigation pending further enquiries