Success Stories
Reunited once again
Chris Saunders
After injecting heroin into his groin he developed septicaemia and 17 internal abscesses. But, somehow, he pulled through and was given a final chance. Before Chris stopped offending he had clocked up 176 previous convictions. Chris was sent to HMP Channing's Wood, were he joined the Therapeutic Community.
After Graduating the programme he was paroled to the House of Heroes, Ovis Farm Project, on a farm in Exmoor. After kicking his habit, he discovered a talent for welding and built a new life as an odd job man. The Prince's Trust gave Chris a grant and loan to buy the tools of his trade and, crucially, the support of a volunteer mentor. Chris became a skilled worker and conscientious bookkeeper, with a good work ethic, so he quickly built up a steady stream of clients - a remarkable achievement for a man with 176 previous convictions.
When the farm advertised for a new programme manager, Chris seized the opportunity. In 2008 he was promoted to Project Manager and in 2010 he was promoted to General Manager in charge of over-seeing all House of Heroes Projects and houses. He's now supporting up to 16 more men and 4 women through their own recovery programme. And even though he's wound down his business, he's putting his new found confidence and motivation to good use.
In 2008 he received the Princes Trust Young Achiever of the year award and again in late 2009 Chris received the Pride of Britain award for his work on national TV.
In Chris own words "I had tried everything to turn my life around all to no avail, I then encountered God in a powerful way and began a personal relationship with Jesus, this and this alone does Chris attribute his change to. Jesus saved my life and since he did he has transformed me from the inside to the outside"
Mark Nicholson
"If it wasn't for the House of Heroes I would be dead". These were the words of Mark Nicholson, when he had completed the programme at House of Heroes, Ovis Farm Project in July 2005. He had been a homeless, drug addict, living in an outside toilet on the streets of Exmouth, and had been referred to the Ovis Farm Project by the local Open Door Centre. Mark completed the programme and then moved out into the community. However, he wanted to give something back so he returned as a support worker, the job that he did for the next two years. In April 2007, he went out to Zimbabwe as he had expressed an interest in working with children in Africa. He fell in love with the people and the country, and in December 2007 returned to Bulawayo, where he started working with homeless and disadvantaged people. He met his future wife Dorcas Dhlula and in April 2009, they were married and have now taken in ten orphaned and abandoned children, between the ages of 18 months and 10 years, whom they are caring for in a loving Christian home. Mark says that although things are difficult living in Zimbabwe, he knows that is where God wants him to be, and he wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
Paul Talbot
Paul joined us in 2008 as a homeless alcoholic, his addiction was chronic and destroying his very life. The doctor had told Paul, that if he was to continue drinking, then he would most certainly die. Paul rang House of Heroes and spoke to Chris and very soon afterwards he was interviewed. He was accepted and entered the recovery programme at the House of Heroes, Ovis Farm Project. He successfully graduated in 2009 and moved into our second stage house in Barnstaple. He sought employment and very soon found himself working full time, and in relationship with his partner Sue. He did really well for several months, working hard, but he soon realised he was struggling. After a few 'blips' he called Chris Saunders and Steve Toms to help hm. He was readmitted to Ovis Farm and he worked on all the things he leftv covered up before. He is shortly to go on a mission trip to help disadvantaged people in South America. He attributes his change to his encounter with Jesus, while resident at Ovis Farm in 2008 and again in 2011. He is still living successfully in the community, working and in regular contact with us and of course Jesus!
Mick Mills
Mick joined us in 2008 as a heroin addict, his addiction was chronic and destroying his very life. If Mick was at this point to continue taking heroin then he would most certainly die. Mick contacted House of Heroes and spoke to Chris and very soon afterward he was interviewed. He was accepted and entered the recovery programme at the House of Heroes Ovis Farm Project. He successfully graduated in 2009 and moved back home to his wife in Bideford. He attributes his change to the same Jesus he met at Ovis Farm in 2008. He is still living successfully in the community, working and in regular contact with us and of course Jesus. He also volunteers in the Gym at the Freedom Centre in Barnstaple
Dean Lowdon
Dean first became involved with House of Heroes as a resident in 2008. He successfully graduated the recovery programme and moved back to Newark. In early 2009 he returned to work for the House of Heroes as a support worker, and lived in the main house at Ovis Farm. In October 2009 he moved to our Resettlement Project in Barnstaple as House manager, he also commuted 4 days per week to work as a Support Worker at the Ovis Farm Project. In March 2010 Dean got married to his new wife Helen, Dean has now moved on to begin his new Window Cleaning business, "Cleaned BY Dean" and is still in regular contact with us.
Terry Dye
Terry had spent the last 10 years in 8 different places of rehabilitation. He struggled with addiction to drugs including crack cocaine. Terry had a very violent childhood and had started using drugs when he was 9 years old. Terry struggled to trust people, and was extremely defensive and verbally aggressive. Terry showed very admirable determination to succeed, although he had many difficult days he continued to make progress. Terry has stayed on at House of Heroes where he volunteers with the farm work, he has recently completed an NVQ in farming and enjoys being part of the farming community locally. Terry intends to work full time in farming once he has sufficient experience. Terry often shows a talented creative side, he writes poetry, and is currently writing a book about his life and journey out of addiction.
Barry Whitaker
Before I came to the House of Heroes I was homeless, I was broken, and lost, and empty inside. I had been a heroin addict for 24 yrs. I had lost everything including my family. I arrived on the 3rd of March 2010 and began by working on myself. I found the programme both challenging and revealing, and now I believe I have the tools I need in order to face life on a Drug free basis.
Today I can glance back at my past and say with God in my life I am a success. My relationship with God has developed and he's taught me that I am a success! I left House of Heroes after completing the programme I did a Gym instructors course at the Freedom Centre in Barnstaple. I am now back in contact with my family.
Chris Colebrooke
Chris came to House of Heroes in August 2009. He had lost everything due to becoming an alcoholic. After spending a year in a hostel in Reading Chris was very keen to come to North Devon as he enjoys being in the countryside. Although he had been offered a nice flat in Reading, he realised that he would not overcome his addiction without help and support. He knew he would die if he stayed in Reading. Chris found some of the group work challenging, but generally thrived in the community and the surroundings. After he completed the programme Chris stayed on at House of Heroes as a volunteer to help with the Administration. In July 2011 Chris became a full time employee managing the Administration for House of Heroes.
Paul Quinn
“If you want your recovery get on the bus now”. Those words were spoken to me by Chris Saunders on the 28th Feb 2010 and I am so grateful for the life that those words have led me too.
Having spent 20 years in the catering/pub trade I was a chronic alcoholic who had lost my wife, children, self respect and hope for the future, not able to function in the morning without first having a drink.
The programme was the most challenging thing I have ever faced and no two days were ever the same. Throughout the programme I was able to re-discover my abilities and was encouraged to put them to use by developing new roles in the community such as “house-keeper”, responsible for looking to reduce costs and waste at resident level. I was also honoured to be the chief coordinator at Croscombe when the ladies project opened there, in order to help the new ladies adjust to the structure.
I am now in the second year of a foundation degree in business and management, which I started whilst I was a resident and was encouraged to follow as part of the programme.
Paul Billet
Paul arrived at Ovis Farm in October 2008. He was a violent alcoholic with a personality disorder. He says "the recovery programme at Ovis taught me about myself, helped me to identify my issues and then how to overcome them". During his stay at Ovis Pauls mum died of alcoholic liver disease. The staff at Ovis Farm supported me and with the help of God he overcame this difficult period.
If I wasn't at Ovis at this time I would have ended up dead. Ovis is a beautiful place and ideal to confront your demons and the teaching is second to none. I now live in the community and am married to Liz, we have a nice home and I'm hoping to go to college to study painting and decorating as a trade. I have learnt that all things are possible and I've learnt to love and respect people. Paul has been alcohol free for 3 years in October 2011.
Anson Critchlow
Anson joined us in 2010 after many years as a Heroin User. After years of trying to sustain abstinence himself, he finally reached his jump of point, after overdosing twice he realised there was a price on his life, and he wanted to be somebody. He began his time with us very shakily, but over time decided to face his problems head on. In doing so he became a strong member of the community, he learnt the Therapeutic Community concepts, and applied them to his life. He progressed well, eventually achieving the coveted job role of Chief Co-ordinator of the community. Throughout this process he worked tirelessly on his key issues, developing his character with the help and support of his peers. He is now assistant therapeutic community manager at House of Heroes. He attributes all of the Glory to Jesus.
Eddie Chance
I first learned about the House of Heroes whilst in prison, I knew that I couldn't carry on with the lifestyle I was then living. Jesus spoke to me in my prison cell and said he would open doors for me to change my life. I came to the Ovis Farm Project not knowing what to expect, the programme if used the right way can ,and will change you, I have had Jesus along side of me all the way through ,even when times have been really tough I have felt him with me. After living in a criminal lifestyle for forty years, to graduate the 12 month programme, and now actually to be facilitating the running of the programme, and be a GPF, is nothing more than a bona fide miracle, and this is what God is calling me to do with my life, what we freely receive so should we freely give. I have a new life thanks to Jesus, and the House of Heroes.
