Homeless foundation's cash boost

The foundation already offers doorstep deliveries of its organic milk

A farm helping homeless people and those with addictions has been awarded top prize in a government competition.

The Gilead Foundation at Risdon Farm, near Jacobstowe, Okehampton, Devon, won £90,000 through the Spark initiative.

Spark was set up in December by Communities and Local Government in partnership with the voluntary sector and business sector.

The foundation will now develop its dairy section, training people to produce organic soft cream cheese.

It already provides doorstep deliveries of the farm's organic milk to the Jacobstowe and Okehampton area.

Our core vision is to introduce a work ethic Laura Alm, Gilead Foundation

The competition involved homeless organisations from across the country pitching their ideas to a panel of experts in a "Dragons' Den" style event.

Gilead was one of the 15 finalists shortlisted from nearly 400 applicants.

Public relations manager Lois Samuel braved a panel of eight "dragons" with her father-in-law and foundation founder Ian Samuel.

"It was a little intimidating, but the panel's response was absolutely amazing - we're just overwhelmed," she said.

Mr Samuel and his wife Bronwen set up a dairy farm in 1986 and began offering help and work placements to local people who were unemployed.

It became a registered charity five years later and now helps homeless adults who have serious addiction problems, including drugs, alcohol, gambling, self-harming or eating disorders.

The farm can accommodate up to 25 people - singles, couples or families - on a 12-month programme.

"Obviously the programme includes detox and relapse prevention, but our core vision is to introduce a work ethic, teach them life skills and community living," foundation spokeswoman Laura Alm told BBC News.

Devon winners

Ms Alm said the money would not only help the foundation to set up its soft cheese production, but could also help it attract more funding.

"Hopefully people will now look at us and think 'well they've invested in them, so we will too'," she said.

"A bit like the honey attracting the bees."

Two other projects from Devon received top awards.

The Plymouth Access to Housing (Path) project in Plymouth came in second, winning £80,000 to establish a not-for-profit letting agency.

And the Shekinah Mission, also in Plymouth, secured £50,000 to develop its manufacturing business selling hand-made slate and wooden boxes.