TO break free from a deeply ingrained drug habit, especially when those around you aren’t offering much support, can be almost impossible. Addicts often struggle to escape the cycle of crime-to-buy which traps them.

But a project near Worcester offers people the opportunity to do just that – and those involved are now preparing to welcome a royal visitor in September to mark their successes.

The Good Soil Project, based at Top Barn, just outside Worcester, has been running for the past 18 months and is proving a success. The project – which stands for growing out of dependency, seeking objectives in life – has up to 10 men and women who have become prolific offenders due to their drug habit.

It is based on the Monty Don Project, launched by the Leominster-based TV gardening star in 2004 to teach offenders how to grow their own produce and work off the land.

It then helps them find rewarding employment, using the skills they have gained during the time with the group – and changing their life completely.

Paul Raymond has been on the project for about two months and is doing well to get his turbulent life of drugs and prison back on track.

“The simple reason I am out here is because I want to get clean off drugs,” he said. “I have done it this time. When I first came here I was using four bags of heroin a day. But being here has taken me out of the environment I was in – I was stuck in the cycle of drug use and offending.”

Originally, Mr Raymond, aged 27, from Tolladine, Worcester, was on the Monty Don Project but had to finish after being sent to prison for drug offences. “When I came out I asked to come on this again, and hopefully this time it will work for me,” he said. “I really am determined. I’ve been on heroin for 11 years and I know it has just all got to come to a stop at some point.” When he finishes the project, he is aiming to go to college and become a professional painter and decorator. “That is the whole point of the project. You come here as a user and come out drug and crime-free,“ he said.

Rocky Hudson, project co-ordinator, said the participants were given the support and responsibility to look after animals and plants on six acres of land, which they have transformed.

“We are really excited to have Princess Anne come and visit us to recognise what we do and we hope she sees a normal working day here,” he said. “For the people who come here to get off drugs it simply gives them a chance and the space. When they go back home they can show other people the life they have led before and how they have changed it. It gives them motivation and confidence to do something like this project.” Thirty-five-year-old Elaine Pritchard believes the Good Soil Project has been life-saving. “I was using heroin and crack cocaine and was down to about six-and-a-half stone,” she said. “If I hadn’t of come here I would have been dead or in prison. I really feel that’s how bad it had got. So to have this help and this support has been invaluable.”

Miss Pritchard, who lives in Malvern, cooks daily for the group using the fresh ingredients she has to hand each day. The benefits to her health are already showing.

“This gives you a reason every day to get up, you have that motivation,” she said. “Before it would be to get up to steal to get money to get your next hit and you would be caught in a vicious circle. But this gives you an honest reason and puts you back on track. Even being able to have a healthy meal each day has just made such a difference to my health. I really love it here and I have been clean for a few months now.”

For Shawn Grooms, his self-taught carpentry skills have shown how, although his life went astray, he has the ability to do well for himself.

Currently, the 33-year-old, who lives on Bath Road, Worcester, only has a few weeks left on the course.

“It made me look at the problems I had and has given me the chance to speak to people who had similar problems and being able to help them out too,” he said.

“When people look at my work and say its brilliant that really helps me. I would really like to use my skills in the future.“I am really grateful to what they have done for us and so glad I came to do this.”

It costs about £35,000 a year to keep someone in prison. For up to 10 people to take part in the Good Soil Project it costs £100,000, and aims to keep them out of prison and out of trouble for good. Funding to run the project comes jointly from the probation service and police force and the land is given on a peppercorn rent by landowners David and Di Harper.

The project is currently short of funds, and as yet, will only be running until the end of March next year unless they can find more money.

The Princess Royal will be visiting the Good Soil Project on Monday, September 22, and will also be going to meet people at Top Barn’s Special Needs Training Centre and Worcester city’s Citizens Advice Bureau.