Benefits

• Diversionary Activity. Keeping busy has recognised benefits for those in drug treatment, particularly as regards stimulant use.
• Structure. Participating in scheduled activities, involvement in planning, setting/meeting deadlines and maintaining reliability through peer 'encouragement' are important in preparing to re-enter mainstream society.
• Self-Discovery. Recognising skills already present or discovering new ones will raise self-esteem and produce a belief in the ability to achieve in general.
• Mental Wellbeing. Peer identity when amongst achievers is a mood-lifter.
• Physical Wellbeing. Very obvious - all that fresh air and hard work.
• Academic involvement. For those not desiring hard labour there is plenty to do from within the library. Researchers will be required and this task will match some peoples needs perfectly.
• Peer Education. When involved in something destructive or negative it is human nature to sink to the lowest common denominator. In the case of something like this, not only do we want to do better, the evidence that we can is all around - people just like us, doing great things. We set our sights higher.
• Peer Support. For people who often feel alienated being part of a group of people just like them can bring a feeling of belonging and sense of support, which can sustain hope through rough times. People will get close on a project like this, - intense and  personal interaction which does not concern drug use or crime or sadness which might be rare otherwise.
• Community Cohesion. Working alongside local non-drug-users and being not only accepted but valued is obviously beneficial. Also, from the point of view of the community - the removal of 'headline-based' perception and stigma.
• Local Identity. Discovering local history can produce a sense of belonging.
• Modular Expansion. Lending itself to 'staging' the project can respond to suggestions e.g. request for a pottery station - get the funding, build the roundhouse, go on training, install the equipment, run peer-peer courses. One module in itself bolted on to the main project. In this way we can construct the entire site.
• Educational Resource. The ultimate to aim for. Being part of such a creation would do wonderful things for those involved and inspire others.
• Symbol of Hope. Investment in such a thing would demonstrate that there is genuine faith in the potential of those involved. They are not written off. The response might just be renewed hope for a better future.