About Venndale

Venndale Rehabilitation Centre is a twelve-week residential rehabilitation program of Kalano Community Association Aboriginal Corporation. Venndale is located 35kms south of Katherine.

Venndale has been delivering clinical model-based rehabilitation service that is culturally appropriate with 24-hour care to clients. Our holistic case management with one on one sessions as well as group education sessions will support clients in their journey to overcome alcohol & other drugs related harm and the impact on their lives, families, and their communities. Venndale program includes education groups on relapse prevention, self-esteem, life skills, mental health, legal awareness, cultural activities, fishing, therapeutic activities such as art therapy. Skills for Employment and Education Program is facilitated by Steps Groups Australia at Venndale. Counselling, primary health, financial literacy, diet and fitness programs, and other information sessions such as NO MORE (Family and domestic violence program) are delivered by external agencies.

Venndale is funded by Prime Minister & Cabinet (NIAA), NTG and Department of Attorney-General and Justice.

Eligibility Criteria

Venndale accepts clients who are 18 & over with alcohol and/or other drug addiction.

How to Be Assessed

You can call Venndale at 08 8972 8600 at any time for a phone assessment.

Anyone can refer to Venndale such as yourself, a family member, friend, lawyer, courts, Doctor or a workmate.

Once you have been assessed as suitable. Venndale will send you a letter confirming your bed date. You will be required to complete a health check at either Wurli-Wurljnjang Health Clinic or your Community Clinic on the day of your booking.

Exclusions

Exclusions from Venndale:

Anyone convicted of sexual offences

Murder convictions

Children

Clients banned from program due to their past behaviour

If Venndale is unable to meet client’s needs

Procedure

Assessment is completed over the phone
2. A letter confirming bed date and other requirements of entry is sent to client and/or referrer
3. Booking is made for admission to Venndale
4. Client attends Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Clinic or community clinic prior entry to Venndale
5. Client is admitted to Venndale

After Admission

Client will be assigned a Case Manager and Case Manager will work with client to develop an individual treatment plan, assist client in setting personal goals, advocate for client and in his/her best interest to ensure client can complete the treatment and achieve their goals. In relation to individual treatment plan, Case Managers assist clients with following:

Primary Health & mental health

AOD & relapse prevention

Counselling

Accommodation

Legal obligations

Finance

Training & education

Employment

Future Goals

Introduce skills-based training and employability skills to enable clients to gain employment either during the treatment or upon completion.

Increase number of aboriginal employees and trainees

Create business avenues for Venndale to be operated by Venndale clients and develop new skills

Guest speakers/ visits by elders and community leaders to empower clients

VTAC

Venndale Transitional After Care/Continuing Care (VTAC) is located at 54 Acacia drive and provides accommodation and ongoing support for clients who have completed the Venndale program as they transition back into the community. The VTAC program provides a semi-controlled environment to prepare clients reintegrate back into the community. The program’s activities are designed in a way that encourage healthy lifestyle skills, prevent relapse, and promote a structure in the client’s day. The main three areas of focus of the program are working with clients to get Employment, Training and obtain safe and secure housing as well as provide continuing care.

All clients at Venndale are offered Continuing Care and Continuing Care staff engage with Venndale clients after the 6-week mark at the Venndale Rehabilitation Facility. The VTAC program uses several substance misuse prevention strategies to achieve better outcomes for the clients.

Examples of some of the strategies include:

Motivational Interviewing with clients

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy activities

There is use of activities as a way of keeping busy, skill development of alternatives to substance misuse and as a form of relapse prevention and harm reduction. Some of the activities include:

Having a schedule / structure for the day

Use of work and training opportunities

Use of safe and secure accommodation

Use of Art as a business

Fishing activities

Hiking trips

Hunting

Family Visits

MODELS OF CHANGE

Venndale Rehabilitation began on the river bank below Rockhole community in the early 1980s when a group of local Aboriginal men decided to better themselves for their families and communities. The conversation grew with Wurli-Wurlinjang health clinic regarding the social and health issues stemming from alcohol. Shortly after, this group developed their own program; one authentic to their community, culture and healing process as other approaches were unsuccessful.

Today, Venndale has a modern facility south of Katherine town and includes all aspects of the rehabilitation process: relapse prevention, case management, reintegration, after care and outreach. Its program facilitates a robust weekly schedule catered to the needs of the clients, keeping its members active. Activities range from lessons in literacy, numeracy and domestic violence, to group discussions and traditional healing pathways such as yarning circles, bungul dancing, fishing, hunting, and much more.

Where You Are Going

We don’t care where you have been or what you have done. We care about where you are going!

What are your goals? What do you want to achieve in:

Health and Medical
Legal
Family
Counselling
Employment and Education
Relapse Prevention
Accommodation
Finance

Venndale encourages and supports you in your journey to become your best self. Join the others and become your own success story by calling one of our Case Managers, today. Read some of our success stories.

⇓ Venndale Electronic Brochure

⇓ Referral Form

⇓ Schedule Program