The Glen stories
Read the stories of our clients to find out how The Glen has supported them in their journey.
I am a proud Wiradjuri woman. I feel honoured to be the first client at The Glen for Women.
Before coming to The Glen my life was tough and unmanageable. I struggled for a long time but always put my children’s needs above my own.
I was always afraid to reach out for help because of the fear of our kids being taken.
The Glen has made me look deep within myself, face my fears and work through my traumas.
The ground the property stands on is healing, the staff are loving and supportive and the clients are inspiriting. We use our strengths to build each other up.
The program has taught me so many things about life. I truly believe that if you follow the program it really does work. My journey has allowed me to reconnect with my identity, my culture, dance, singing, finding a sponsor and participating positively in community activities. I’m proud of the direction my life is heading and committed to giving back.
My name is Mark. I’m a Kamilaroi man from Tamworth & today I am returning home to my family, a happier, healthier man.
Before coming to The Glen, life was a real struggle. I was stuck in a cycle of addiction and had given up on almost everything. For years I isolated myself and distanced myself from my family and everyone who mattered to me.
I remember sitting alone in a hospital room, reflecting on my children and my family. They have always been so supportive, even through the hardest times. In that moment, I knew I wanted to get well — for them, but also for myself.
At first, I thought I could do it on my own. But the more I reached out for help, the more I accepted that I couldn’t do this alone.
When I applied to The Glen and was offered a bed, I felt overwhelmed with emotion. I arrived feeling ashamed, scared, and nervous. I worried that being here might make me a burden on my family.
Those first few days were hard. I struggled to sleep, missed my family deeply, and felt very alone.
But slowly, things began to change.
I started connecting with the other men and the staff. They supported me, welcomed me, and helped me settle into the program. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel judged — I felt safe.
I’ve really enjoyed the whole program, especially the strong focus on culture. Being able to reconnect with culture, community, and country has been incredibly important to my healing.
I’m grateful for the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been, and the opportunities I’ve had to give back and see the positive impact on others.
While in the program, I’ve achieved things I never thought possible.
I’m proud to say that I have now been sober for nearly six months.
I’m excited to be going home, reconnecting with my children and family, and continuing to live a healthier and happier life. I already have work lined up, and giving back to my community is something that really matters to me.
If I could say something to another man who is thinking about coming to rehab, or who is about to walk through the doors, it would be this:
Leave your ego at the door.
You are safe here.
Be vulnerable.
It’s okay to talk, and it’s okay to cry.
Give it everything you’ve got.
Remember where you come from and why you are here.
The Glen has given me back my spirit.
My name is Amanda. I grew up in the Fairfield area, though I moved around a bit. I lived in Cairns for three years before returning to New South Wales. I am a proud Wiradjuri–Dharug woman. My partner, Gavin was born and raised in the Bankstown area..
For a long time, Gavin and I were caught in the cycle of addiction . While my culture has always been my backbone, my struggle with addiction made me feel disconnected from my spirit, my ancestors, and my sense of purpose.
We both knew we wanted a different life — for ourselves, for our children anf for each other — but we also knew we couldn’t do it alone.
That’s when we made the life‑changing decision to apply to The Glen. We chose The Glen because it’s more than just a facility; it’s a culturally safe, holistic environment that supports healing of the mind, body and spirit.
We committed to the three‑month program, and the experience was profoundly spiritual. Being on Country allowed me to lower my walls and truly begin the hard work of healing.
We learned so much from the case managers and from other clients, both men and women. I really valued the individualised plans, which didn’t just focus on addiction but also explored the triggers and past trauma that led us there.
Through this process, we both learned that we aren’t broken — we are worthy of a good life.
Because of the support we received at The Glen, Gavin and I now have the tools we need to stay sober .
We’ve walked away with practical life skills, a renewed sense of self‑worth, a stronger connection to our community, and a deeper connection to my cultural identity. We are no longer just surviving — we are growing stronger every day because we did this together.
Thank you The Glen for showing us a better way forward.
My name is Rebecca, and I am a proud Dunghutti and Ngaku woman.
I grew up in Maroubra and the eastern suburbs of Sydney before returning home to Dunghutti Country, Kempsey, 16 years ago.
My journey with addictions began early. I grew up surrounded by dependence and started my own cycle at just 12 years old. For more than 20 years, I struggled on and off with addiction. My last relapse was the longest and darkest period of my life. I felt broken, defeated, and completely disconnected from myself, my family, and the world around me. My spirit had been dimmed, and I couldn’t see a way forward.
When I arrived at The Glen for Women, I felt overwhelmed, vulnerable, and scared to trust. But little by little, through the compassion, kindness, and unwavering support of the women around me and the team at TGFW, I began to let my walls down. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe enough to start healing.
The program didn’t just help me recover—it helped me rediscover myself. I learned that I am important, that I matter, and that I deserve care and love. The Glen for Women loved me back to life and gave me the tools to build a future I can be proud of. Today, I believe in myself and in my ability to achieve anything I set my mind to.
Today, my life has purpose. It is meaningful, positive, and full of hope. I am working towards a better future for myself and my beautiful babies. I have strong connections, a supportive network, and people who genuinely care about me. While life will always have its challenges, I now have the strength, confidence, and tools to face whatever comes my way.