Barwon Therapeutic Community

Hello from Windana’s Barwon Therapeutic Community. On this page we’ll tell you about our community, and how you can get referred to us..

• Video Tour.
• Welcome.
• What is a Therapeutic Community?.
• Barwon Therapeutic Community's program.
• Phases.
• Work groups.
• Eligibility.
• Referral.
• More about Barwon.

Fast facts.

• Type of program: Residential rehabilitation for alcohol and other drugs
• Program length: Six months
• Maximum number of residents: 30
• Location: Corio, Wadawurrung Country
• Cost: $115 Admission Fee, then $719 per fortnight ($517 if you are on youth allowance)

Watch the video: An Introduction to Windana's Barwon Therapeutic Community.

Welcome to the Barwon Therapeutic Community.

Located in Geelong’s northern suburbs, Barwon Therapeutic Community is the newest of Windana’s three Therapeutic Communities.

We are:

• 10km (approx. 15 minute drive from Geelong CBD)
• 66km (approx. one-hour drive from Melbourne CBD).

Our five acre grounds offer space to breathe, with peaceful gardens and recreation spaces – including a walking track and outdoor gym. The modern, comfortable buildings and facilities were designed to support rehabilitation.

Each of our Therapeutic Communities helps people recover from substance use and move forward in their lives.

What is a Therapeutic Community?.

The Therapeutic Community is a supportive environment for rehabilitation, where residents drive the recovery of themselves and each other.

A Therapeutic Community gives its residents the space and structure to heal emotionally and learn healthier ways to live. The environment is designed to intensify the life experiences that help you learn about yourself, build self-esteem, self-respect, and develop a sense of other. It uses a model of rehabilitation called ‘community as method’.

At Barwon residents work together to run the community, as it’s their home. This peer-driven, holistic approach to recovery focuses on how alcohol and other drug use influences, and is influenced by your relationships, thoughts, feelings and lifestyle. Residents also attend education, therapy and behavioural change groups.

Staff are there to help keep members of the Therapeutic Community psychologically and physically safe. As residents move through the program’s phases, they become leaders and role models too.

Barwon Therapeutic Community's program.

Each day at Barwon follows a structured routine.

Activities and support

• Case management and support services
• Educational and therapeutic group sessions to support mental and physical health and recovery (including relapse prevention, stress management, non-violent communication)
• Art and writing groups
• Naturopathy (a complementary therapy involving herbal and nutritional supplements)
• Nutrition program (Food as Medicine)
• Community programs such as Landcare and optional team sport
• Exercise and recreation
• Medical and nursing management
• Slow-stream pharmacotherapy reduction from Suboxone and Methadone is available.

Phases.

The program is delivered through separate phases. Each phase builds on the phase before, with more responsibility as you progress.

• Orientation: Watch, listen, learn and engage
• Phase 1: Participate in all aspects of the group
• Phase 2: Step up as a role model to peers
• Phase 3: Be a leader and prepare for the future
• Phase 4: Integration towards life after Barwon (you’ll live in Integration Housing during this phase)
• Aftercare: Move forward with new skills and ongoing supports.

Works groups.

A key part of Barwon’s program is working together. As a resident, you’ll rotate through the main groups: Cleaning, Grounds and Maintenance, Kitchen and Administration. Over time you can become a leader within your team.

“The Therapeutic Community empowers residents by giving structure, through daily programs. Responsibilities through Therapeutic Community roles grow confidence and give a voice to the residents of the community.”

– A Windana Therapeutic Community resident

Eligibility: Is this for me?.

Barwon Therapeutic Community may be suitable if you:

• Are aged 18 years or over
• Complete a withdrawal program before admission (this can be through Windana or another service)
• Are willing to participate in the Barwon program, including its Work groups.

Referral.

All admissions to Barwon Therapeutic Community require a referral.

The main way to get referred is by contacting the Intake and Assessment service that looks after your area.

To find your local Intake and Assessment service, you can call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 (available 24/7) or visit their website at www.directline.org.au. You can also look for your area on this list. 

When you get in touch with your local Intake and Assessment service, you can expect to speak with a clinician about your relationship with alcohol and other drugs. Together you will decide whether you need further assessment or treatment.

The person you speak to will help you find the most suitable services for you. You’re welcome to say you are interested in Windana’s Barwon Therapeutic Community.

For advice on the process, can also reach out to Windana directly by calling 03 9529 7955 Monday to Friday, between 9:00am and 4:30pm.

More about Barwon.

• If you’re referred to Barwon, we’ll contact you before your Admission Date with important information, including what to pack.
• You can bring two bags to Barwon. There are opportunities for personal shopping (e.g. for toiletries) when you’re here.
• It is likely you will be sharing your room with another resident for some, if not all of your stay. You’ll also likely move beds/rooms during your stay to ensure a diverse mix of connections.
• At Barwon, residents eat nourishing, seasonal food with many ingredients grown by residents in our garden beds (see the photo of the garden and hot house above). Residents prepare most meals for the community.
• After you’ve settled into Barwon, you can apply for leave (called “off property”). The amount of leave allowed depends on what program phase you are in.
• At the end of the program, residents celebrate their achievements of themselves and their peers with a graduation ceremony.

“Becoming a community member at Barwon offers an environment to safely explore what healthy relationships with self and others mean, and how this might contribute towards changing pathways and opportunities.” 

– Barwon Therapeutic Community’s Program Manager

More information.

Click below to download a detailed booklet about our residential rehabilitation programs.

This booklet includes the information on this page with some more details on Barwon's program, site, staff, frequently asked questions and other details..

Download PDF.

Important to know: