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NEW BEGINNINGS
FOR WOMEN SEEKING RECOVERY
NEW BEGINNINGS is a
residential therapeutic program that has evolved from a traditional women's service in
recognition of the special needs of women seeking treatment. It is a service for women and
run exclusively by women. This service is funded by the State Health Department, We Help
Ourselves, donations and client contributions. Our staff work within a strict professional
code of ethics and have extensive experience in the field of drug addiction and women's
health.
The Community
NEW BEGINNINGS women's program
operates separately from the other We Help Ourselves services. Its aim is to provide a
safe and secure environment where women who suffer from drug abuse and its related
problems can concentrate on their recovery. Groupwork and individual counselling is
provided by same sex drug and alcohol workers who deal with the special needs of women.
Our service is situated close to the city and to all the professional facilities that a
city has to offer. We are ideally situated for our residents to make the transition back
into the community and we can also offer 3/4 way housing if a longer stay is required.
Activities
NEW BEGINNINGS is a three to
six month program offering groupwork, counselling, women's health support and education,
stress management and skills development. Groupwork covers topics such as relationship
issues, parenting, self esteem building, social and communication skills, assertiveness
training and boundary setting. We also provide HIV and other infectious disease education
and adopt a Harm Minimisation approach, should a drug free outcome not be chosen. Outreach
services and a registered needle exchange are available and provided by We Help Ourselves.
We provide multiple access to outside activities such as self help meetings, Women's
health centres, legal and welfare services, TAFE and other educational activities and
various exercise programs eg. yoga and tai chi. Weekends are a time for leisure activities
and relaxation.
What we expect from you
We expect an acknowledgement
from you that there is a need for change and that drug use is no longer working for you.
Detox arrangements will need to be made or negotiated with staff, prior to admission. We
need three forms of identification for Centrelink purposes. Our minimum age
requirement is 18 years. If you have any court or legal business it needs to be deferred
for the first six weeks of the program. We ask that you agree to abide by the community's
rules and guidelines, in particular no drugs (includes alcohol), no violence (or threat
of), no stealing, no sexual activity with another client. Childcare accommodation
arrangements will need to be negotiated due to limited space and available resources. If
you have a special medical problem that needs individual medical services or supervision,
please contact us to see whether we have the resources to meet your needs.
What it costs
NEW BEGINNINGS is funded by the
State Health Department for expenditure such as staff direct services, however this does
not cover costs such as food and provisions, accommodation, travel to and from meetings,
appointments and activities, laundry, medical supplies, prescriptions, official
communications and postage, stress management classes, movies, videos, leisure activities
and other community functions it is necessary to charge a small fee or ask for a
significant proportion of your benefit entitlement for your first three months. After
three months your focus is on leaving the community and you will only need to contribute
for food and accommodation. A savings plan is available ensuring some financial security
when leaving our program. |
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We Help Ourselves