structured activity programs

PRA's Structured Activity Programs encompasses a range of services and activities available in ten locations around New South Wales: Armidale, Blacktown, Goulburn, Griffith, Liverpool, Newcastle, Penrith/Richmond, Queanbeyan, Surry Hills and Wollongong.

PRA's first service of this type was "Buckingham House", which opened in Surry Hills in 1976, and has continued to operate since that date. Buckingham House continues to receive in excess of 13,000 member visits per year, making it the most frequented service of its type in the State. It is also the longest standing service of its type in Australia.

The activities in PsR Options meet the expressed wishes and needs of members.
They provide for numerous different groups during the week, and programs
change every 3 months in consultation with members considering available
resources. A balance of activities and groups is maintained covering
such areas as information, discussion, relaxation, sport, living skills
and arts/crafts. PsR Options provide a continuum of care in service
provision, so as to reach out to people with varied abilities, skills
and stages of recovery. People are free to access any of the
services provided within the continuum, and to move to other
services at their own pace, as their own recovery progresses.

The most immediate objective of psychosocial services is to prevent re-hospitalisation. This is achieved by regular contact with the person, and by closely monitoring progress. Individual needs and crises can be responded to quickly, and appropriate support arranged, providing the level of service that people need when they need it.

Support for Day to Day Living in the Community is a federally funded Structured Activity Program which sets out to support people who experience enduring mental illness to access or increase participation in their community by providing social, recreational and educational activities. Currently PRA is placing emphasis on providing activity options that occur in a person's local community and will focus on creating links with other relevant services to support a person achieving a range of recovery goals.

For more information contact Divisional Manager - Rehabilitation
- Mark Orr, 9690 8933 or email mark.o2@pra.org.au