Talitha Koum - The Need

Channel 4 broadcast the following startling statistics in late 2008:

• Of all the people in the UK who annually attend rehab, 3.6% come out and stay drug free
• 350,000 children in the UK have parents with a serious drug problem
• There are 10 babies born to heroin-addicted mothers every day

For further details, see Mum Loves Drugs Not Me, Dispatches, 3 Nov 08

The Response

The board of Release Ipswich has a concern for women caught in illegal drug misuse and street prostitution. The members of the board are motivated by their Christian values and compassion, and have been further spurred to action by the murders of five young women involved in the street sex-trade in Ipswich in 2006. They have a vision and desire to establish a residential centre of restoration for women. 

The Mission

• Talitha Koum – bringing healing, Christian hope and practical support for women
caught up in addictive behaviour.

• This will be achieved by setting up a residential Christian Therapeutic Community for women only. This will be open to those of any faith or none. This will provide vulnerable women with a ’route out’ of addictive behaviour through the power of the Christian faith, structured treatment plan and long term support to prevent relapse and to facilitate regeneration into society.

• We will work with our primary stakeholders, who are (i) Christians who have a compassionate heart and (ii) Partnerships with third sector organisations, Statutory Authorities, Private companies, and Individuals. (iii) The women who are referred or approach us for assistance. 

Contact Details

• Tel: 07935 058685 

• Email: Talitha Koum

• Website: www.talithakoum.org.uk 

To read more on this project please download the Project Initation Report.