The GROW Community is a live-in rehabilitation program for people experiencing a mental illness alone, or mental illness coupled with substance abuse or alcohol dependence. Its Program, Group Method and Community Structure are aimed at developing its members' own resources for living in the general community.

This GROW Community can accommodate 17 adults, male or female of 18 years and over. It is located in a tranquil bushland setting on 2.6 hectares in West Hoxton (near Liverpool), New South Wales.

The guiding philosophy at the Community is GROW's 12-Step Program of Recovery or Growth to Maturity through shared learning and mutual-help.

BACKGROUND

The GROW Residential has been in operation since 1978 and is an integral part of GROW's World Community Mental Health Movement, established in Sydney in 1957. GROW is a registered charity, confidential and anonymous in its membership.

WHAT GROW OFFERS

GROW offers the fruits of 50 years of experience and leadership in the successful rehabilitation of its members and their growth together to personal maturity.

The Community offers a voluntary residential program of six to twelve months duration, and longer if needed.

This rehabilitation program involves three stages of growth:

1. initial integration and learning;
2. internal leadership and community-building; and
3. outreach to the general community.

Progress from stage to stage is determined by the overall Community's assessment of each resident's progress.

A daily schedule of work, exercise and recreation is provided in a healthy farm setting, together with regular GROW group meetings and special study groups for rehabilitation and personal growth. Emphasis is on self-activation for growth as individuals and together, through the acquisition of adult habits of understanding, acceptance, confidence, control and love.

The last stage of the program is one of transition and re-entry into the general community through participation in the wider GROW community. It will be marked by an ideal of contented ordinariness, maturing relationships, increased responsibility, and simultaneous expansion in to the GROW philosophy and the maturing human community.

ELIGIBILITY & ADMISSION

Prospective residents are required to convince interviewing staff and residents that they

• genuinely desire to recover,
• are prepared to go through the long-term changes needed for the achievement of this goal, and
• will undertake to use the GROW Program of personal growth.

Referrals come from various sources: hospitals, professionals, friends, family, and GROW's own agencies. Personal enquiries are also welcome.

Interviews for assessment and admission are conducted by staff and maturing residents at the GROW Community. Appointments for these interviews are arranged between prospective residents and Community staff.

A candidate's background of addiction - whether it be for alcohol, street drugs or prescribed medication - will entail a routine search of the person and his or her belongings on admission into the Community.

DEPARTURE OR DISCHARGE

Any resident is free to leave voluntarily, or may be discharged for breaking the Necessary House Rules, or for ongoing disruptive behaviour unacceptable to the Community. There are some restrictions on mail, telephone and visits. These are gradually reduced and more freedom is granted as progress is made through successive stages of the Program. If a resident, whose stay in the Community is a condition of bond or bail etc, leaves or is discharged, the relevant authorities will be notified immediately.

STAFFING

The Residential is ably supervised by dedicated staff. These are, preferably, GROW leaders and ex-residents who have achieved proven and lasting rehabilitation. Along with these, there is also a minority of other staff who, though chosen from the general workforce, have been fully schooled in all aspects of GROW's transforming program, methods and community spirit.

This community is staffed 24 hours each day and seven days a week, including public holidays.

FINANCE

GROW's Residential Community is funded by the New South Wales Health Department and supported by South Western Sydney Area Health Services. Further costs are met through fundraising, private donations and residents' contributions. (Residents are charged for board and lodging out of their Centrelink benefit or other means.)

ONGOING SUPPORT

• GROW's general group meetings can be found throughout Australia.
• GROW has Transition Housing and other intermediate supports.
• Staff may be phoned, when necessary.

"You alone can do it, but you can't do it alone".

JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to use Google Maps.
However, it seems JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your browser.
To view Google Maps, enable JavaScript by changing your browser options, and then try again.