Inishfree has established a small community project in Gloucestershire that provides supported living for individuals addressing their addiction problems after they have completed a detoxification programme elsewhere. An individual can sign up to the Inishfree housing programme for as long as 2 years, receiving different levels of support and training to prevent relapse and returning to the cycle of addiction.
Inishfree is a unique service in this country because it provides opportunities to develop skills and expertise in vocational trades after completing a significant amount of time to stabilise. It individualises the programme to meet specific needs and supports an individual to fulfil their potential whilst in the safety of a drug and alcohol free environment ensured by 24 hour staffing cover.
The client group are referred to as Trainees and are attracted to the Inishfree programme because it provides an innovative approach to address emotional problems while building up confidence and self esteem. This provides the emotional stability and foundation to go on to develop their aspirations for the future. In the main the programme is focused around cooking and catering, using the kitchen garden as a means of education into diet, health and ultimately a sense of wellbeing that was missing in their lives before.

Philosophy

Our approach is a holistic one based on a 12-month residential community programme founded on the principles and indications brought through Anthroposophy and the work of Rudolf Steiner.



We are not part of Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous, or the 12 Step approach, although we acknowledge the value of these approaches.

Inishfree offers something profoundly different to all other rehabilitation centres. Its uniqueness is to bring about a sense of social responsibility and economic change, in an environment where there is prejudice and discrimination for those labelled ‘addict’ for life, and regeneration, diversification and support for the farming industry that has lost heart.

Inishfree hopes to satisfy the individual needs of each human being on three different levels:

1. Physical level – Work
2. Emotional level – Therapies
3. Social level – Community life

The reasons for working in this way are outlined below, followed by phases of the programme.

1. Physical level – Work:

Physical exercise such as gardening, building and decorating can provide when achievable, a positive distraction from cravings, a clear purpose and goal in daily life, and a self motivated contribution to the community, a feeling that one is needed, which was not present before.
Exercise/work is also essential to help create day and night rhythms. Sleeping patterns have quite often been disrupted for a considerably long time. Land based work provides education into agriculture, it can provoke a real interest in working with the soil and plant life – which doesn’t confront or challenge the individual.

Building work is another focus for quite specific reasons. When a person has abused her / his body for many years through either alcohol or drugs, their physical body is considerably run down and ‘beaten up’. The outer picture of this would be reflected in neglected buildings. Careful dismantling and rebuilding of structures, using imagination and hard work will give the individual an experience of transformation in their own hands. The building work will not be how to do something quickly and cheaply, it is about creating something new, perhaps out of something old, and learning skills like carpentry, building and design, working as part of a team, using good quality materials and tools, bringing order out of neglect and chaos. This outer picture reflects the inner one, and although the individual may not consciously know it, it is exactly what they themselves are doing for themselves.

The community on this level will surely shine, and is our sincere belief each individual will begin to shine inwardly too. 
A healthy balanced diet, using grains, pulses, fresh veg, fruit, etc support the physical body to gain strength. We would promote cooking as an art rather than a chore, a picture also to counter the junk that was once put into their bodies, to, maintaining a healthy ‘input'

 



2. Emotional Level – Therapies:

Counselling and biography group work will also be central to the recovery process, but in a way that enables people to digest the process rather than be overwhelmed by it. Looking back over one’s life would of course be part of the counsellor’s input, but only after a time of stability, and when the trainee is ‘ready’ to take hold of it more fully.

Artistic therapy, eurythmy/movement therapy, rhythmical massage and drama are brought in at different times, based on individual needs medical advice and guidance.

3. Social Level - Community Life:

Living together in a supported environment, where others know exactly where you are coming from is fundamental. For some who have lived in virtual isolation from the world, community life can help to address those feelings of isolation.

Inishfree will provide a home environment that is safe, drug and alcohol free, with care and warmth of heart. Our co-workers take a real pride in their work, providing positive role models.

Change cannot come about and then be maintained without a considerable amount of time spent developing on all these levels.

 

 

 

 



Inishfree 1 – 2 year programme – 5 phases of transition

The programme has been developed in such a way that it covers 5 phases over a period of 2 years. Each phase is designed to accommodate the changing body, mind and emotional needs in the early and later stages. Physical illness, panic, anxiety, shame and cravings, are very strong in the beginning, from the obvious distress experienced in the withdrawal of poisonous substances. As time goes on this becomes less prolonged and less intense. Slowly through the activities the emergence of a renewed sense of self outweighs the earlier symptoms.

By providing opportunities to an individual, through meaningful activities, and at the same time slowly building up confidence and self-esteem, a true sense of one-self can begin to shine, and a future source of strength, meaning and purpose can begin to grow.

 

                                            

 



First Phase
‘Winter’ – ‘I am nobody’ ………………….coming in out of the cold/landing
0 - 12 weeks

Second Phase
‘Spring’ – ‘Who am I?’ …………………..landed!
3 – 6 months

Third Phase
‘Summer’ – ‘This is who I could be’………………………illusions
6 – 9 months

Fourth Phase
‘Autumn’ – ‘This is who I am’………..realistic optimism
9 – 12 months

Fifth Phase
‘All Seasons’ – ‘I am’……….a new step
12 – 24 months

Poem

The name Inishfree comes from a poem written by W. B. Yeats. Set in County Sligo in Western Ireland, the poem denotes a sense of one who recognises the moment in time when suddenly they feel compelled to take a different direction in life, and leave everything else behind except the strongest motivation and will impulse to find something new.

The poem speaks about a time then, when one can simply be oneself and in nature and at peace with oneself. It also reflects the memory of that event later in life ‘on pavements gray I hear it in the deep heart’s core’, as a source of hope, strength and nourishment.

Every human being needs this connection with the earth, whether it is through planting and growing, eating and drinking, breathing and experiencing, waking and sleeping, or simply enjoying the wonders of the natural world. In today’s society we take so much for granted and have lost touch with what is essential.

Inishfree endeavours to bring something of this substance, and make it available to those that need it now.

 

The Lake Isle of Innisfree

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings,
There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.
 

History

Between 2000 and 2003, the Inishfree concept has become established through public talks, the setting up of an advice service for families and friends and a support and referral service, and the forming of an Advisory Group to take the initiative forward.

Pioneering this new approach to overcoming addiction and the growing problem in our towns, cities and local communities, involved convincing government bodies that this common sense idea was needed and indeed would work.

Initially, Inishfree established offices and secured some funding for running costs and the commissioning of a feasibility study and business plan. This was to provide evidence of need and to show that the project was sustainable, and enabled us to apply for and secure a contract with the government’s new initiative called ‘Supporting People’.

Inishfree moved into rented premises in November 2002, offering accommodation for up to four people. Client numbers increased, and in April 2003 we moved to new rented premises that could accommodate up to six people.

After three years pioneering, the work really began!