Grampians Therapeutic Community

Hello from Windana’s Grampians 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?.
• Grampians' program.
• Phases.
• Work groups.
• Eligibility.
• Referral.
• More about Grampians.

Fast facts.

• Type of program: Residential rehabilitation for alcohol and other drugs
• Program length Three months
• Maximum number of residents 20
• Location: Ballarat, 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 Grampians Therapeutic Community.

Welcome to the Grampians Therapeutic Community.

Located near the centre of Ballarat, Grampians Therapeutic Community is the smallest of Windana’s three Therapeutic Communities.

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

Our Grampians Therapeutic Community is home to up to 20 residents – the perfect size for a close-knit, supportive community. It’s large enough to be comfortable, but small enough to feel like home.

What is a Therapeutic Community?.

Grampians' program.

Each day at Grampians follows a structured routine.

Activities and support

• Case management and support services
• Naturopathy (a complementary therapy involving herbal and nutritional supplements)
• Nutrition program (Food as Medicine)
• Educational and therapeutic group sessions to support mental and physical health and recovery (including 12 personalised Topic Groups, development of a Relapse Prevention Plan, Non-Violent Communication sessions, and group psychotherapy)
• Art and writing groups
• Community programs such as Landcare and optional team sport
• Exercise and recreation
• Medical and nursing management
• Slow-stream pharmacotherapy reduction and alterations for all opioid-based treatments.

 

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 a life after Grampians (you’ll live in one of two Integration Houses in Ballarat, located close to the Therapeutic Community, and will have a structured Integration Program). There are very limited positions for this additional program, so please contact our site to assess availability.
• Aftercare: Move forward with new skills and ongoing supports.

Works groups.

A key part of Grampians’ 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.

“When I got to Windana I immediately sensed a completely different energy… It was healing, it was nurturing, it was forgiving, it was understanding.”

– A Grampians Therapeutic Community resident

Eligibility: Is this for me?.

Grampians 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 Grampians program, including its Work groups.

Referral.

All admissions to Grampians 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 Grampians 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 Grampians.

• If you’re referred to Grampians, we’ll contact you before your Admission Date with important information, including what to pack.
• You can bring two bags to Grampians. 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. It is also likely that you will have to move into another room at different times of your program, so your first room will not be permanently yours for the entire 3 months.
• At Grampians, residents eat nourishing, seasonal food and try to include fruit, veggies and herbs grown by residents in the garden. Residents prepare most meals for the community.
• After you’ve settled into Grampians, 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.

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 Grampians' program, site, staff, frequently asked questions and other details..

Download PDF.