Community Development

St Michael's Community Centre

 St Michael's Road

Salisbury SP2 9LE

Telephone:  01722 411244

Email:  claire.powerbrowne@trusselltrust.org
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  Fighting Poverty and Despair with Sustainable Community Projects

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In 2007, we set up some in-country projects to kick-start sustainable development with local communities. By decreasing reliance on imports we can both support the local economy and encourage self- sufficiency. These are now up and running, and in 2008 we hope to expand these and also to begin changing our communities in an even more radical way. 
 

The House of Joshua

Equipping Young People for Life

The Trussell Trust's groundbreaking residential training centre for state care leavers is now up and running in the village of Scravena, Botevgrad. 

There are currently 3 young people enrolled on our 2 year programme, which seeks to break the cycle of poverty that they are currently a part of. With no state provision in place for care-leavers, and no skills to speak of, crime, drugs and prostitution are the realistic alternatives for these youths. 

The House of Joshua is there to change this situation. Here, young people learn essential life-skills - how to cook, clean, budget, etc - which they have not had access to during their time in institutional care. These skills are taught within a safe, loving, home environment, enabling them to develop confidently as people and to give them a hope for their future. 

Each young person is also in a work placement, giving them the vocational skills necessary to find a job when they leave our programme. We have already seen great progress made by our residents, and the changes that have been made in their lives since they arrived with us is incredibly exciting to see. 

 

The House of Rachel

The House of Rachel will be a residential training centre, modelled on The House of Joshua, in eastern Bulgaria, near Varna. 

The Trussell Trust will be working in partnership with a group of Christians from Okehampton, Devon, who own the building that the the new project will be run from. 

This is extremely exciting, and represents the beginning of The Trussell Trust's vision of seeing these houses replicated throughout Bulgaria.   

Goats

We introduced goats to communities, one family at a time, creating a strong community investment. Keeping a goat provides a self-sufficient source of milk and meat. Each female kid born is passed to another family - ensuring that eventually all the families benefit. We have already seen life-changing results by the simple addition of a goat into a family. 

Community farm

We have recently been given a small plot of land near Scravena gypsy community to pilot a community farm. We hope to grow some culturally staple foods, such as potatoes and tomatoes, in partnership with the gypsy community.

Some produce will also be transported the 40- minute drive to Lipnitza, where it can be used by the kitchen staff. This will cut the cost of the feeding projects and move the community closer to self sufficiency.

High-density farming

This method of farming allows individual families to grow food for themselves in small areas. Vertical growing systems mean a variety of crops can be grown using very little ground space, with a high yield.