The Ipswich Circuit have chosen Talitha Khoum as their chosen charity to support for this year.
Gill Dean from Talitha Koum has written the following article to explain about the work that they carry out :
TK opened as a specialist Supported Housing service in June 2018. Women whose lives had become chaotic, challenged, encompassed with misfortune and grief or, for those who had become victim to other circumstances which caused them to become vulnerable and in need of support and housing, were now living in the Hope Centre.
The Hope Centre – To date we have supported 25 residents, some of whom have studied, trained, worked, pursued new interests and activities, rebuilt broken relationships, sorted out financial difficulties, historic debts, and issues and so much more. We are a Christian organisation and whilst we pray together and reach out to our Christian supporters, we only include residents in our Christian activities at their request. For those who have not known God’s love for them at the most challenging times in life they need to come to know Him in their own time.
We are grateful to our supporters, friends and neighbours for the fundraising events they hold to raise funds for the work of TK and also, for attending events that we organise. The money is amazingly helpful and of course equally so the friendship, belief and commitment to sustain the work we do in supporting women who become known to us.
Since June 2018 we have been fully occupied apart from periods of change over and this has been consistent for the last 30 months.
The setting of the Hope Centre is perfect for rest and recovery from the many issues women have faced. Within this beautiful setting the Hope Centre is set beside a lawn, with an orchard area, fields and vegetable garden.
Women can self -refer, or it is more usual, that they can be referred by another professional, who may already be offering support to a woman.
The referrals are carefully assessed as there are many factors to consider when offering rooms in a supported housing setting. The last outcome we want is for a resident to be in the wrong setting as rejection features highly in the lives of vulnerable women. When a room is offered at the Hope Centre it is hoped that the woman will be here until she is ready to move on to independent accommodation. Women are vulnerable for a wealth of reasons and resilience plays a large part in the craggy journey which in fairness many people travel.
Childhood abuse, loss, rejection, drug and alcohol use, gambling, coercion, abuse, criminal activity, fraud, mental illness, and so many more factors, singularly or stacked up can all be the triggers which begin the process of extreme vulnerability and harm.
At TK we are in the position to support the aspects of life that have been harmed or broken. This is done is many ways including as I said earlier getting benefits in place, providing information about options, from which dentist to register with right though to accessing legal support to face an historic event. Staff can assist with contacting estranged relatives, debt worries, and even simply listening and caring.
So far we have supported 25 residents and have had enquiries for space for many other women who we have, where possible, directed on when we have no space to offer.
So, having talked a bit about the work and support I would like to talk about the future.
- We are delighted to be where we are right now, but not complacent.
- The board of trustees is strong and active, everyone on the board contributes to the management of the Charity and is actively involved in sustaining the Hope Centre in the many ways needed.
- The staff team have been carefully recruited to offer the expertise and direction needed to achieve the best outcomes for the women we are supporting. There is a wealth of expertise within the team and collectively that enables the service to operate effectively.
- We are extremely grateful to our many supporters, neighbours, friends, Churches and community groups who so generously support us, donate money to us and pray for us and with us as we continue to grow and establish our service within Suffolk.
- Each woman is unique and whilst there are many primary needs that women have in common, each resident is on her unique journey for which she receives support, expertise and direction to travel.
- Vocational and educational integration, activity opportunities, meaningful interaction with fellow residents and being valued are all a part of the work that staff are involved in putting in place for women.
- The next phase having opened and accepted three new residents in the new rooms and now supporting eleven occupants is to further develop the site here at the Hope Centre to offer further amenities and activities. We recently bought a portacabin, this space will be used for fitness and wellbeing sessions, training opportunities, group work and support sessions.
- We have further building plans to develop the site further and expand our services for more residents as well as facilitate vocational and leisure opportunities and focused support services.
Women Together. These groups were set up and facilitated by TK from 2014. During this last year the format for WT has been reshaped to create a programme to address specific aspects of vulnerability which women face when they are down on their luck or have fallen victim to a range of harmful influences other than substance or alcohol related issues.
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You can find out more information about Talitha Koum by visiting their Website or Facebook Page.
Talitha Koum have recently opened 3 new rooms which means they can now provide a home for 11 occupants and you can read the press release here.
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