THE Gilead Foundation are celebrating after winning a unique competition aimed at getting hundreds more homeless people into good accommodation and regular work. The Gilead Foundation, based at Risdon Farm near Jacobstowe, operates a Christian rehabilitation therapeutic community that offers a range of support services to people with 'life-controlling' addictions. It recently won £90,000 in a Spark social enterprise competition, coming first out of 80 entrants from across the country. It was one of three South West organisations among the 15 finalists for the ground-breaking Spark competition — a £1.5-million project launched in December for organisations who tackle homelessness. As well as the rehabilitation community, Gilead also runs an organic farm and will use its win to train people to produce and sell organic GS dairy milk. On the back of the win, it now hopes to soon be selling its new organic soft cheese nationwide. Lois Samuel, marketing manager for the foundation said: 'The project has been really inspiring and really made us step back and look at our social enterprise in a new light. 'It's made us think how we can expand to a bigger level and make a greater difference to more homeless people and those with addictive problems. 'It's not just about winning the money, it's about all the help that goes with it. 'The whole ethos of Spark is to encourage social enterprise and make the charity sustainable.' As well as the prize money, the foundation will receive business coaching and mentoring from high-profile social entrepreneurs, including Nigel Kershaw, chief executive of Big Issue invest and Tim Campbell, winner of the BBC's 2005 series of The Apprentice. Congratulating Gilead on their innovation and commitment, Junior Housing Minister Iain Wright said: 'The scheme shows what can be achieved by people and organisations adopting an enterprising approach to tackling homelessness, giving former homeless people the opportunity to get involved in the workplace to help end the cycle of homelessness.'
