Author Archives: pelgrimsplace

FAMILY ROLES – UNDERSTANDING THE PART WE PLAY The session explored familiar roles such as the Hero, Mascot, Scapegoat, Lost Child and Addict, and how each role can develop as a way of coping with addiction within a family.These roles aren’t labels or diagnoses. They are ways of understanding patterns that may have helped someoneContinue reading “NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2026”

BUILDING MORE THAN ACCOMMODATION Renovation is about more than repairing walls, painting beams, or improving accommodation. At Pelgrims Place, renovating the staff quarters has become an opportunity to learn skills while creating something that will benefit others. Learning trade skills such as painting, carpentry, preparation, measuring, and maintenance can build confidence and achievement. These skillsContinue reading “NEWSLETTER – AUGUST 2026”

A TASTE OF THE WILD WEST COAST This month, our residents took part in a memorable coastal foraging team-building event that combined adventure, creativity, and collaboration in a unique recovery-focused experience. After receiving the basic ingredients needed to prepare sushi, teams headed to the beach to responsibly forage for natural coastal ingredients, connecting with theContinue reading “NEWSLETTER – JULY 2026”

Welcome to the team Vaughan We are delighted to welcome Vaughan to our volunteer team at the rehabilitation centre. Vaughan’s recovery journey began on 5 May 2025, and through his dedication, perseverance, and commitment to positive change, he has continued to make remarkable progress in his life. His experience in recovery gives him a uniqueContinue reading “NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2026”

COMMUNITY CONNECTION THROUGH THERAPEUTIC ART Residents recently gathered for a meaningful and creative therapeutic art class inspired by the beauty and heritage of Paternoster. The session focused on mindfulness, creativity, and personal expression while celebrating the town’s unique coastal identity.Participants created handcrafted rosary paternoster beads, symbolizing the famous 55 boulders found along the shoreline ofContinue reading “NEWSLETTER – MAY 2026”

After a period of active addiction, the principles Recovery invites you to embrace will appear foreign at first; seem as if you are locking into a lifestyle of endless limitations. This is not true. At Pelgrim Place, we find it is as our residents face the realities of their lives that they begin to accessContinue reading “Rise – Beach Potjie”

Co – dependency and the roles in a family affected by addiction. @Pelgrim’s Place – Co-dependency and the different roles within the family has been the focus of this month’s didactics. In these groups we have explored the complex dynamics of the resident’s relationships and the roles of their family members in their addiction. ItContinue reading “Learning to be interdependent”

One of the great passions at Pelgrim’s Place is freshly baked bread every morning. Besides the great life lessons of self sustainability and being cost effective, baking bread has taught the farm residents to be Mindful in the morning. One resident who has suffered from depression for years finds the menial task of creating aContinue reading “Baking Beats Bad Beliefs”