Christian Centre for Hope and Healing

It is our ambition that this centre will stand as a beacon of hope. Its core philosophy encompasses more than any one church or religious organisation. We wish our centre to be a place where help and hope for the future will be offered in an open family environment in peaceful surroundings.

Specifically we aim to provide:

Youth Sports/Life Training
Within our overall vision we will provide a comprehensive programme of youth training and sports activities. This will consist of weekend and week-long camps with trained youth workers and highly organised, well supervised events. The lower ground floor will provide necessary short-term facilities for these programmes. We will also hold job training seminars and preparation for independent living courses for older youth. Some youth activities will include, but not be limited to football and basketball clinics, hiking and camping, wilderness skills training, bowls, tennis, volleyball, golf and other sports activities.

Job training seminars and courses will consist of, but not be limited to computer and I.T. training, secretarial and office skills training, woodworking and construction, various types of appliance repair training, drama and theatre training, educational tutoring for those who need academic assistance. There will also be a gymnasium built on the Estate property, which will provide for year round sports activities.

Residential Care for Expectant Teenage Mothers
Specifically we will be providing care for expectant teenagers in crisis with a residential facility, which will include nurturing, and training for life. These services will be comprised of training in life skills such as mothering and childcare, health and hygiene, job training, conflict management, social responsibility. Our hope is to prepare them for their future life within the broader community and equip them to be responsible citizens.

Short Term Care for Mothers in Crisis
We will also provide for the short term care of battered and abused women within our community in support of the current social work programmes. This would, in effect, be an emergency based provision of love and care, as well as protection for these women while they await sheltered accommodation provided by the local authority. These facilities will house both the women and their children. It is our hope to work alongside local churches to provide continuing support for these women within our communities.

Family and Leadership Training
The facilities will also be used for family training and leadership seminars to assist those within our communities and churches with tools to build better families and churches. We believe that families will benefit and be strengthened by learning how to apply life-giving principles which have been at the foundation of all lasting relationships. We want to provide a model and training that builds families into a strong, safe and positive unit that will restore love, hope, trust and joy into our communities. We believe strong families build strong churches and strong churches are a vital part of building strong communities.

Counselling Centre
Dovetailing with both the residential young mothers and the youth programmes will be a counselling service. It will provide the participants with Biblically based solutions to the problems facing them in today's often-troubled world. Counselling will also be available within the context of furthering strong families and communities.

Tearoom and Bed and Breakfast
We will provide tearoom and toilet facilities to those who come visit Overtoun Estate. We will also provide public areas to display local artist's works. (This will be done by invitation only) We will offer en-suite Bed and Breakfast rooms within the Tower Block of the house. There will be public access to the Angel rooms within reasonably established hours unless activities are in progress within those areas.