A group offering help and practical activities for recovering drug addicts in Bradford is seeking funds for another part-time worker to enable it to run five days a week.

And people who use the Caleb Project, at St John's Church in East Bowling, have rallied around to refurbish a nearby room to create a gym.

Project co-ordinator Helen Astin said finding ways to fill the day was often hard for people trying to kick their drugs habit, and one of the ideas they had suggested was creating a gym. Donations of equipment have been made and finishing touches are now being put in place for the room.

A successful Friday lunchtime session, which provides a hot meal as well as social activities, has been used by 100 people since it started last May.

Volunteers bring their skills, such as hairdressing, so former addicts can have their hair cut and styled free, and tutors from Bowling Community College teach computer skills.

Helen approached Marks & Spencer for help with meals, and the supermarket checked out the premises before offering free food which is about to go out-of-date, which is collected from the store in the morning.

Volunteers and people using the drop-in service sit together for a hot meal.

The project, which grew out of church work and a youth base run nearby, is open three days a week and receives funding from private trusts. It is run by Christians, who welcome anyone to attend.

A team of 20 volunteers offers a wide range of help and support for people who are trying to live drug-free lives. Schemes at the church include a recovery meeting once a week as well as a lot of one-to-one work with addicts trying to come off drugs.

Helen said: "They can be in for a long haul. You have to have daily contact with them if you are going to do it seriously.

"We say to people if you are in a better place now than you were a year ago, that's good. We try to get them to accept that the ultimate goal is to come off drugs. We talk about alcohol too. A lot of them substitute alcohol for drugs."

More information about the Caleb Project is available from its office in the Youth Base, New Hey Road, East Bowling, Bradford, between 11.10am and 1.30pm any Wednesday, or ring 727355.

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