Getting Started at Ashburn

If your admission has been confirmed, you will have much to think about and arrange before arriving. If you have a willing support person, they can help you take care of matters at home and can accompany you through to admission.

What to Bring:

Consider bringing things that will make your stay feel a bit more like home. Your bedroom will be your own personal space, so bring your favourite things such as photos, books, a beloved coffee mug, art supplies etc, to make you feel more comfortable. There is a lockable drawer in your bedroom for the safekeeping of valuable items however we encourage you to arrange your own cover for contents insurance while you stay with us. 

Don’t Forget to Pack:

  • Clothing for both hot and cold weather (our weather can be variable!)
  • Sports and walking shoes
  • Toiletries and personal medications
  • Pyjamas, robe and slippers
  • Washing powder (can also be purchased at your convenience from our patient-run canteen)
  • Drink bottle
  • Laptop/tablet, phone, plus chargers
  • Musical instrument (if you play one)
  • Your own bedding, if desired (single/king single)

We Supply:

  • Bedding
  • Towels
  • Clothes hangers
  • Meals

Download the pre-arrival checklist.

Accommodation & Facilities

Both our inpatient units and Alexander House have their own kitchens, bathrooms and occupational therapy rooms. There are lounges and common meeting places for general use. Bedding and linen are provided, as is a full meal service. We also provide laundry facilities, communal lounges and a kitchen, a library, and outdoor relaxation areas. You can also get cash out on-site through the EFTPOS facility at Reception (weekdays only). 

The Clinic is also home to exceptional birdlife! 

Heating: there is central heating throughout the Clinic. Free-standing heaters and electric blankets are not used due to the risk of fire.

Recreation: alongside our main building is our recreation hall, which is equipped for a variety of indoor games, including volleyball, badminton, netball and indoor bowls, and some basic gym-style equipment. Next to this is an outdoor tennis court. A patient’s library room, TV lounges, and a visitors’ lounge are also available.

Canteen: patients run a canteen where you can purchase snack foods and washing powder.

Our Location

Ashburn Clinic is a 10-minute drive from the city centre. We’re within walking distance of a bus stop and a dairy in the nearby Wakari neighbourhood. 

View a map of our location.

Our location does pose some challenges, especially when it comes to weather and telecommunications! There’s not much we can do about the weather, but we do have some tips for maintaining contact with the outside world (see WiFi, Phone & Email).

WiFi, Phone & Email

We encourage you to keep in touch with your whānau and support people, and contact them directly to let them know how you are doing. So, it’s good to bring your phone or other device to make this happen. We also provide a variety of communication options on-site.

Mobile coverage: due to our location, mobile coverage can be challenging! We recommend using a 2degrees SIM card while at Ashburn, as there is limited 2degrees mobile coverage here. 2degrees also offers WiFi calling for compatible mobile devices, which means you can make and receive calls over WiFi if there is no mobile coverage.

WiFi: we have a reliable WiFi network available for residents to use. The network covers most of the indoor residential areas.  

Phone booth: patients have their very own phone booth. Local and 0800 calls are free of charge; Kia Ora phone cards for toll calls are available for purchase on-site. The booth has a dedicated phone number, which you are welcome to give to friends and family.  

PCs: there are dedicated PCs in our inpatient unit for patients to use. These are internet-capable and are kitted out with audio and video components to enable video calling.

First steps can be really challenging, but you’re not alone.

Your First Day

The moment you walk in the door you’ll meet our Receptionist who will sit with you to take down some general contact details. After that, you’ll be met by a nurse who’ll take you and your luggage to your own, private room. You will generally have brought your own medication with you to start with, and we’ll ask for this so we can manage administering it.

There is usually an opportunity to grab a cuppa, and then the nurse will get started on the admission paperwork, which can take a little while as they get to know you and your goals while here at Ashburn. They’ll take a photo of you, and give your nominated contact person a call to let them know you’ve arrived safe and sound. They’ll also take your height and weight measurements, along with other vitals such as blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration, O2 stats etc. Your first day may also include a GP appointment on-site.

We’ll introduce you to your “buddy” as soon as they are available, and that person will take you to the dining room for meals, give you a tour of the buildings and grounds, and can answer any questions you may have.

In amongst all of this you will also have an admission appointment with a Psychiatrist, so they can get a full understanding of your illness and determine a diagnosis to enable a treatment plan to be decided upon. New patients are also put under observation, and the frequency and length of these will be determined at this appointment.

Settling In

New patients typically do not fully immerse themselves in the Democratic Therapeutic Community programme right away. You will join a less-intense version of the TC programme the next day, as we ease you in to community life. Once you get going in the programme you’ll find that weekdays at Ashburn consist of both down time, therapeutic groups and individual therapy.

Aside from these structured groups the weekdays include other commitments such as joining committees that help run essential aspects of Ashburn. Alongside committees, jobs are divided out between residents to help with the running of Ashburn. These jobs are tailored to your ability and include things such as dishes, housekeeping chores and other small tasks. You may also attend individual psychotherapy one-two times a week and may meet with your psychiatrist every few weeks. Other appointments may include GP or dietitian appointments on site.

The substance abuse group and the eating disorder treatment consist of extra elements and an added weekly small group.

Downtime on the weekdays and weekends can be utilised in part to connect with the other residents at Ashburn. 

Ashburn works largely on the principle that those you live with are vital in supporting you with your recovery, and alternatively, you are a vital element in supporting others with theirs.

Beginning Therapy

Your place at Ashburn is part of a much bigger picture – that of the Democratic Therapeutic Community and what is known as “talk therapy”. While you work on YOU, you also play a part in the lives of others here at Ashburn. Group therapy helps you to learn more about your problems and difficulties, increasing your ability to affect change, encouraging personal responsibility for your own behaviour and situation, and assisting you to live successfully in the outside world without resorting to unhelpful and unhealthy behaviour patterns, particularly when faced with stressful or difficult situations.

Programme Schedule

The Democratic Therapeutic Community involves a structured daily timetable, with a range of group meetings, recreational activities, and practical living tasks. The specific activities an individual participates in will vary depending on their needs.

View Ashburn Clinic’s therapeutic programme timetable (subject to change).