DePaul House Wellbeing Groups

DePaul House is a community based alcohol and other drugs residential withdrawal unit and managed by St Vincent’s Hospital’s Department of Addiction Medicine. Residents will typically stay at DePaul for a period of 7 days whilst withdrawing from alcohol or other drugs. DePaul House is staffed 24 hours a day by experienced nursing and welfare staff. The Wellbeing Groups Program provides opportunities for residents to participate in group activities, such as art, gentle exercise, music, acupuncture, tai chi etc. These activities provide considerable therapeutic benefits including opportunities to be creative and playful, alternative ways to manage stress the enjoyment and challenge of trying something that they may have not experienced before. The program is seeking to increase the range of experiences for residents at DePaul House and to this end is seeking volunteers to present group activities.

Position Description

Students will be facilitating groups with the residents of DePaul House. Group duration would be from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on what is being presented. The content of the group will be wellbeing based in an area that the student has some experience in and would like to present. It could be gentle exercise, yoga, a book or poetry reading followed by discussion, gardening, a cooking session, a cyber safety information session, assisting residents with filling out forms or an introductory literacy session. Or it could also be a performance of music, theatre or theatre sports, an introduction to photography. If there is something you are passionate about it may have potential for the DePaul House Wellbeing program. Activities that have a sense of playfulness are highly desirable. The content of the group would be discussed at an interview with the group program co-ordinator. Commitment to possibly one or two sessions per week for a number of weeks or even months would be advantageous. Times are flexible with possibilities for early morning, early evening and weekend sessions.

Position Requirements

• Working with children check.
• Police check.
• Informal interview with the group program coordinator.
• Informal interview with the DePaul House manager.
• An enthusiasm to work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.

When & Where

DePaul House, 9 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.

A number of session times are available which will be discussed at interview. Current session times include:

• 7.30am – 8.00am
• 9:30am – 11:00am
• 3.00pm – 4.30pm
• 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Application Process

1. Obtain working with children check.
2. Obtain police check.
3. Contact Chris Hynan.
4. Call the DePaul House Group Program Coordinator to discuss the position and then arrange an informal interview meeting at DePaul House.

Contact

Chris Hynan
chris.hynan@svha.org.au

Campus

Melbourne