Palmerston Association is a leading and respected not for profit organisation supporting people with alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues in Western Australia.
Palmerston Farm Therapeutic Community (TC) offers a residential rehabilitation program for up to 36 adults wishing to address their substance use issues. The Farm TC is situated in an attractive semi-rural location with extensive gardens, orchards and chickens. The property creates a calming environment for a comprehensive therapeutic program.
The TC program
The program provides a safe alcohol and other drug free environment. It encourages a sense of purpose in life and fosters personal growth, self-knowledge and self-management within a community of concerned people working together to help themselves and one another.
This personal development enables residents to introduce and maintain the changes necessary to improve their wellbeing. The program is varied, including active involvement in the TC program, self-management skills and social skills training, gardening activities, counselling and group work, sport and recreational involvement and art and crafts.
All residents work together on activities such as growing vegetables for consumption and general maintenance of the property. Cleaning and catering are all managed by residents. These activities provide opportunities to:
• Develop and sustain rewarding work habits
• Help restore general health and a sense of wellbeing
• Work with others as part of a team
• Develop new practical skills
• Gain an understanding of nutrition
The program has four stages, each designed as a self-contained unit of the recovery process, building on each other to prepare residents to return to the general 'real life' community.