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Helping clients to RECONNECT

Helping people through their AOD journey is just part of the role of WRAD Health clinicians – they also help them on the next part of their journeys.

WRAD Health has forged a strong connection with the Reconnect program, based at South West TAFE. Reconnect is a Victorian Government initiative that aims to support people to overcome barriers to accessing education and training, or gaining employment. The free service is delivered by SWTAFE in Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton.

For many WRAD Health clients, Reconnect has been the perfect follow-up to their time in the Sliding Doors and Recovery Pathways programs.

The connection was forged when Reconnect team leader Raylee Currie attended a Sliding Doors program, now reconfigured as Recovery Pathways, to meet with participants.

WRAD Health dual diagnosis clinician Rebecca Smith says Reconnect provides support for up to 18 months to help people develop a learning and career plan and to stay engaged in training,

While the program is available to anyone, it has special significance to many WRAD Health clients.

“We work collaboratively alongside the Reconnect team when we identify those clients would like to return to work or study and need support,” Rebecca said.

The success stories are impressive, including one client has completed a Certificate III in Construction, and another client who lived in the country and didn’t have a license but was supported to return to study.

Others haven’t wanted to return to study but have been supported to re-enter the workforce.

“It is giving them purpose and a lot of motivation to change direction in their lives,” Rebecca said. “It’s the next step in their recovery.”

Reconnect team leader, Raylee Currie, said the partnership with WRAD Health was valuable for both organisations and all participants.

“We help members of the community who have barriers preventing them from reaching their employment or education goals,” Raylee said. “We spend up to 18 months with them to overcome those barriers to reach their full potential.

“A lot of the participants finish their programs at WRAD and then come over to Reconnect.  We’ve got some amazing success stories, with many participants who never thought they could get to where they are.”

“We don’t do it for them, but we believe in them and make it a safe space for them to work on their strengths.”

Places are available for the program. Interested people can contact Raylee Currie on 55 648525 or Raylee.currie@swtafe.org.au or Rebecca Smith 55 64577 or  rebeccas@wrad.org.au.