These are frequently asked questions prior to admission. We thought the best way to approach this would be to ask current Pelgrims Place residents to answer these.

What are the living arrangements at Pelgrims place?

The residents of Pelgrims place are divided between three dormitories on the property. A communal lifestyle is adopted. At Pelgrims place we all strive to achieve and create the most welcoming atmosphere for new residents as possible.

Why a minimum of six months?

The roots of addiction really run deep. From my own personal experience , the power in doing a long term rehabilitation program is realized only in the process itself. Becoming free from old habits , hurts , traumas and fears is not a process to be rushed. To truly make time for yourself and your emotions that you have been setting aside for years is the most liberating feeling. I have realized that the process of emotional healing cant be rushed. Breaking free from the bondage of addiction , pain , fear and old habits takes time and is a long process. To gain not only freedom from your addiction but building up and solidifying new habits and coping mechanisms to deal with life.

Am I allowed to have electronic devices?

During your recovery process , it is important that you have access to a safe and secure environment , free from any unnecessary distractions , allowing you time to focus on your recovery. Electronic devices such as smart phones and music players may distract you from focusing on what is important. Your counselor will keep you updated on any important information regarding your loved ones and will keep in contact with them.

How does the making of the meals work?

All of the residents are divided into a weekly kitchen schedule with the residents doing breakfast , lunch and dinner. The menu is a set menu and each team knows what is  they have to make before making it. We also grow all of our own fresh produce , which means there is access to a large variety of farm fresh vegetables. The kitchen is an awesome place for residents to connect with one another and a great chance to learn the basics in the kitchen. You don’t need to know how to cook or have any experience as this is a great place to start. Putting together the different cooking styles of the residents and working on a good meal can be fun!

What does the average day look like at Pelgrims place?

Wake up at 5:45am  , make your bed and organize your cupboard living area before grabbing a cup of tea or coffee. Thereafter at 6am , the morning duties begin , this consists of a sweep and a mop throughout the living areas. Quiet time follows at 6:30am until 7am when we meet in the dinning area for the morning meeting , praise and worship and breakfast. After breakfast , the work allocations are read out for the day , the residents are split up into different work allocations , these range from working in the lands and tending to the vegetables to general farm maintenance. You will always be learning new skills. There is tea time at 9:30am until 10am , then its back on work allocations until 11:30am , unless its Monday , Wednesday or Friday , for then it will be until 11:15am for tuck shop to be had.It is then lunch time followed be quiet time from 12:30pm until 1:30pm which is a chance to refresh the mind before the afternoon program. At 1:30pm , the residents meet up for a group which varies from week to week. After the afternoon group , everyone gets ready to head down to the beach for some fun in the sun. The residents can surf , swim , fish and relax and enjoy the natural beauty the coast has to offer. Once we get back from the beach , the dinner team will start on that , while the other residents have a chance to workout in the gym or to catch up on step work. This is also shower time. After everyone has showered , dinner is served at 6pm. After dinner , the residents will meet up at 7pm for the evening program which varies from a group , to step work to the watching of a documentary. The residents then get ready for bed , it is quiet time in the dormitories with lights off being at 9pm every night.

What is meant by work allocations?

Here at Pelgrims place , we get the opportunity to work in small teams to make the home we live in a better place. From building , to bee keeping , gardens , workshop to being in the heart of our home , the lands where we plant and grow our own fresh produce. We get the opportunity to try and learn new skills , to grow in our confidence to lead teams and learn how to work in teams with a bring a solution attitude. Most of the therapy and magic happens out during the work allocations as the residents can relate to one another and we learn how to deal with our own set of character defects that has been holding us back.