Dear supporters and friends,

We write to update you on the work at Horizon Life Training.

First and foremost, we give glory to God for all He has done over the last 10 incredible years of life transforming work through Horizon Life Training.

 For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8 v 28

You may be aware that since the lifting of Covid restrictions we have struggled with the number of referrals coming into the centres. We have received 15 referrals over the last 12 months, however 10 of these left HLT early, (some felt strong enough to seek their full independence in community early and some were sadly evicted, due to a serious breach of their Licence Agreement). We had an average of 11 residents towards the end of last year, but numbers have reduced since then and in May 2023 we had just 4 residents. Our capacity is for 15 residents at Killinghall Farm and 8 at the Women’s Centre at Bramall House. This has needed some serious reflection.

It is important to recognise that our referral rehab Managers fully endorse and support the work of HLT, informing us that we are their first option to their residents at move on for those who are wanting to upskill and retrain for future employment. We are truly grateful and have been continually blessed by their support. Yet there are several factors that have changed since we started this work. Some of our referral rehabs have now progressed their work and also offer educational packages of their own and in addition Green Pastures have opened a large similar facility with capacity for around 200 residents. At the same time, the feedback from our referral rehab Managers is that the number of those wanting to choose a further residential program following rehab is dropping – there are more employment opportunities than there were 10 years ago and many seek a more immediate independence or return to family. Whilst we have been active each year in visiting the rehabs to promote our work and the opportunity it provides, in the view of Teen Challenge we should not expect to be working with the numbers of residents we have had in earlier years, suggesting we should think in the terms of 6 – 8 residents rather than 20+.

The difficulty with lower resident numbers is the challenge of balancing our income with our running costs. Much of costs are fixed – staff costs, rates and utilities which have all significantly increased. We have naturally been pro-active in reducing our costs as resident numbers have fallen and you will be aware we made the difficult decision in early 2022 to ‘mothball’ the Bramall House Women’s Centre until we could secure a higher resident intake. However in reducing costs we introduce additional challenges – we currently employ just the Centre Manager and one Support Worker to operate a 24-hour support facility and we believe that is not a sustainable long term structure. We think the minimum number of staff required is 4, however it would be challenging to be financially sustainable operating 4 staff with just 6 – 8 residents.

We have therefore made the difficult decision after much prayer and discussion to not pursue additional residents this year and allow the current work of HLT to wind down over the remainder of 2023. We see this not as a closure of HLT but as a managed sabbatical. It will allow us a period for planning and reorganization. We want to reassure all that we wholly trust that God will continue to use the vessel of HLT for His glory, with it continuing to be purposed to reach those in need of a safe place to heal, restore and transform their lives. We are not in a crisis financially but we seek to be responsible stewards of our financial resources and seek to look ahead at how our financial model will work.

We will need to work closely with our Landlords to determine the path ahead. We have a few ideas on the table; possibly the support of young people (where a there is a clear lack of provision currently), possibly to provide Christian respite accommodation, possibly simply a re-boot of our current model for HLT but widening our opportunity beyond an addiction related follow on program, to name a few. Whatever the next phase has in store for us, it will need careful planning, adjustment and organisation – hence the need for our shorter term wind-down

We are open and excited for whatever God has for us in this next season and ask you to join us in prayer. We thank you all for your steadfastness as in the last 10 years your prayers, support and generosity have enabled 156 lives to receive the life changing work of HLT!

 Your ongoing support is so important to us as we navigate this next chapter. We stand united on His Word.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart! Galatians 6:9

Therefore, let us continue to be God’s ambassadors, joining together in declaring that Jesus is Lord over all our land. Let us pray and believe that “greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done here!”

We would naturally be pleased to receive your thoughts and will seek to answer any questions arising as best we can. Please feel free to contact the HLT office in the first instance.

 With grateful thanks

 The Trustees

Our Mission

To provide men and women completing a drug or alcohol rehabilitation programme with the support they need to gain life skills training through education and work based placements to live an independent drug free life.

Horizon Life Training is a Christian Charity in Harrogate offering 12 months separate residential accommodation for men and women to help rebuild and transform their lives by facilitating bespoke education training packages and work based placements. Horizon Life Training is the perfect move on option for motivated men and women who have completed their residential rehabilitation programme and wish to add functional and vocational qualifications to their portfolios.

The Transforming Journey

Reaching Out

With a message of God’s love and hope to those trapped in a life of addiction. We are all someone’s son or daughter who deserve a second chance.

Relieving

By giving the opportunity of a minimum of 9 months residential rehabilitation placement at one of our partner rehabs.

Re-educating

The opportunity to continue this transforming journey – by developing learning skills through education packages to attain employment, becoming and restored as a contributing member of society.

Restoring

By finding fulfilment in employment and developing the life skills needed for independent community living. By gaining a sense of worth through an understanding of our true worth.

 

 

 

 

How It Works

Working with training providers such as Harrogate Adult Learning, the Higher Education Colleges in Harrogate, Leeds and York alongside local businesses, tradesmen and the care sector, we facilitate bespoke training packages for our residents based on their personal motivation and chosen career path. We partner with local businesses who have offered placements in plumbing, joinery, landscaping, electrics, construction, health & social care roles, hairdressing and retail. However, this is not a closed list and if your goal is in another field, we will investigate the opportunities in our area on your behalf.

It is important to note that all our placements follow a volunteer work ethos, we can never promise work based placements will lead to paid or permitted work although some of our residents have been very successful in this area. We believe every individual is unique and we work closely with applicants and their advisors to ensure suitability at the point of application.

 

 

 

 

Local Church Community – Community Connection

We are a Christian Charity and foundational to our residents’ lives is seeking an external local church connection and/or support group. We encourage this support connection during their stay at HLT to prepare for their successful move on into community.

Outreach

Horizon Life Training partner with Teen Challenge Leeds. TC Leeds Outreach started in the year 2000 based in Leeds city centre on a double decker bus with the upstairs fitted out as a coffee bar. Their mission is to rescue men and women off the streets of Yorkshire out of a life of substance abuse and into a life restored living in Christ. This work continues weekly with teams of volunteers from local churches together with Horizon Life residents, who visit a variety of different towns and cities throughout Yorkshire sharing the gospel offering a message of hope to those who have no hope and promoting the work of Teen Challenge rehabilitation centres.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © Tyndale House Foundation

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Kennel Hall Farm Men's Residence

Who Can Apply?

Have you completed, or are you completing, drug or alcohol rehabilitation? Do you need an additional platform following rehab to gain the confidence and life skills to get back into community? Do you wish to achieve a specific trade or career pathway and build your CV? Do you have the motivation to take on and achieve a Level 2 vocational training qualification in the community such as an NVQ or similar within 12 months? Are you motivated to volunteer in a placement within your chosen trade or career and have the ability to study in your free time without being prompted? Then Horizon Life Training may be for you.

Bramall House Women's Residence

Bramall House Women's Residence

Bramall House Women's Residence

Bramall House Women's Residence

Bramall House Women's Residence

Bramall House Women's Residence

Bramall House Women's Residence

Don’t be intimidated if you have little or no qualifications. If you have the determination to improve your life skills/CV, we are here to support you. One of our previous residents, who came to us struggling with literacy skills, went on to complete his NVQ L1 in Health and Social Care and continued in his studies after leaving HLT. Another resident, after 35 years in addiction, was diligent to give his time in a retail placement which gave him the confidence to move to a placement in a local care home and achieve an NVQ L2 in Health and Social Care.

“I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.”

Philippians 4:12-13 The Passion Translation Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group

The Team

Bernie

Bernie

Centre Manager

Richard

Richard

Support Worker

Words From Past Residents

John

John from Liverpool started at Horizon Life Training in August 2017. John helped with the redecorating at Horizon when he arrived. He later worked on Kennel Hall Farm while he completed qualifications in welding. He was blessed with full time work as a welder at Norseman in Leeds. John on completing HLT, ‘I’m now in a great place – I have a car, accommodation and a job. I can now hold my head up!’

Dean

Dean from Middlesbrough completed an NVQ from Network Rail and went on to full time employment with them in the North East. Dean’s advice to his peers is “Never forget where you have come from! I hit rock bottom. I now appreciate what I have. In TC it’s all planned but at HLT you have the ability to make your own decisions yet we need to remain accountable. HLT gave me a stable basis where I could find myself and learn to walk again.”

Sean

Sean from Irvine, despite decades in addiction and no previous formal qualifications, went on to complete 8 qualifications while at HLT including Dementia Awareness and Health and Social Care. His voluntary placement at a local care home was rewarded with a part time work contract as care worker.

Darrel

Darrel from Hartlepool – more than 20 years of addiction, violence, crime and jail time – was dramatically impacted by the life and testimony of a volunteer in an outreach. After successfully completing the program at TC Willoughby House, while resident at Horizon, Darrel completed an NVQ in Health and Social Care and passed his driver’s licence. After HLT Darrel returned to work at TC Willoughby House as an outreach worker.

Anthony

Anthony from East Sussex, arrived at HLT in April 2019. Anthony says, Horizon Life Training presented me with an excellent opportunity to come to live in Yorkshire. They introduced me to Tony Goldsborough, a fellow Christian who owns Brooks Electrical, after an interview he offered me permitted work and after just a few weeks, an apprenticeship as an Electrician, I haven’t looked back, it has been an amazing experience. God has blessed every step, the team here are phenomenal, so supportive and loving, it really is like family, I’m so grateful.’

Jon

Jon, grew up in Derby and later Shirebrook. While still at HLT Jon said, ‘It’s brilliant here, you can actually get help from the good caring people to get into education. The staff are fantastic, they keep moving you forward.’ Jon was introduced to St Georges Crypt in Leeds where he started in a volunteer placement. His commitment and determination in commuting to Leeds and working late shifts led to the offer of full time employment as support worker and the opportunity to get his own flat in the city.

Mark

Mark from Middlesbrough – successfully graduated from Horizon in January 2018 and moved onto employment at his dream job in the motor sport industry. ‘I thank God for bringing me to Horizon – His timing was perfect! Horizon gave me the breathing space, support and encouragement I needed to find my feet and to start moving on in life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Horizon.’

Sean

Sean from Newport and later Birmingham, completed his L1 as kitchen chef. A placement at a local hotel led to a full time position there with accommodation. He then moved to Belfast to work as a chef. Sean says, ‘HLT is a great place for lads to get extra support and restrain themselves and to help them integrate themselves back into society. I can’t thank the staff enough for help and support they gave me and wish there were more places across the country like it.’

Kevin

Kevin from Dundee – addiction to multiple drugs. Came to HLT from TC in July 2017. Kevin completed courses in ICT, Autism awareness, mental health and an NVQ in Health and Social Care. Kevin’s voluntary placement at Kudu Build – a CNC joinery placement provider – progressed to permitted work and then to full-time employment.

Ricky

Ricky from East London who came to Horizon from TC London said this about HLT when he was still a resident, ‘Here there’s no guns going off or police sirens. The worst you get here is a cow mooing – makes a really nice change. I’m enjoying it. I’m still on phase 4 so the staff from TC are still in regular contact with me supporting me.’ Ricky went on to complete L1 Plumbing & Heating and moved into shared accommodation in Harrogate to continue his L2 studies.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”

Philippians 1:6 The Berean Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by Bible Hub

Recognising the success of our residents at the Annual Celebration

How To Apply

All referrals and interested applicants please download our application form using the link below. Please complete the form and have your senior support worker or pastoral support complete the endorsement on the last page.

Email completed applications to admin@horizonlifetraining.org.uk or post it to the address found in the form.

All eligible applicants will be contacted and invited to attend a taster week. You will reside at the relevant Horizon Life Training centre where we will arrange a variety of volunteer placements to give you a flavour of what is on offer. You will also have the opportunity to attend an outreach evening along with a visit to a local church or community group, giving you a full week’s experience of life in the centre. Following a successful taster week, you will be offered a 12 month placement. It is important to note that we can only take those who are committed to maintain our ethos and agree to follow our strict no smoking, no drinking and no substance use policy.

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

Horizon Life Training is an independent registered charity no. 1134335 and incorporated company no. 06995906. We are thankful for the generosity of our local community and those from further afield who make our ministry to men and women coming out of addiction possible.

Contact Us

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Kennel Hall Farm Men’s Residence

01423 560841

Bramall House Women’s Residence

01423 779655