“I am not afraid anymore – it has totally turned my life around, beyond words.” Says Barb
Feeling Powerless
Barb has lived on the Sunshine Coast all her life. She married young and raised three children, but life was far from easy. Her marriage was marked by violence, and in later years she faced heartbreak, including the tragic loss of her daughter and a series of serious strokes that left her vulnerable.
After leaving hospital, Barb found herself in unsafe temporary housing. She had no control over who she lived with and sadly became a victim of elder abuse. “You see this on the TV,” she says, “but to actually be in that position was so scary. I felt fearful and powerless.”
That was when Sharon from HOWSS (Footprints) connected her with Maggie from Better Together Housing. At first Barb doubted it could help, “I didn’t see the point,” she admits. “Every day was a battle, so I didn’t see how going along to have a coffee at a café was going to make any difference.”
But with encouragement she attended a gathering in Maroochydore which was an important moment for her.
A Turning Point
Walking into that meeting, Barb was nervous and shy. But what she found was extraordinary: a group of women who truly listened, understood, and cared.
“It was amazing,” she recalls. “I felt heard for the first time. It was a relief to be honest and let go of some of the shame.”
One woman suggested trying an over-55s village again and with Sharon’s persistence, Barb soon moved into a one-bedroom unit in Caloundra, close to her granddaughter.
“One day after settling into my little unit I looked in the mirror and thought, ‘Oh my – my eyes are shining again!’ I am the happiest I’ve been in a long, long time.” Says Barb.
The Impact
- Barb’s housing is now safe, stable and affordable
- She has moved from fear to confidence
- Connection and compassion replaced isolation and shame
- Barb feels a renewed sense of hope and purpose
Looking Ahead
Barb now wants others to know what she learned: “There is help out there. Better Housing Together will listen and care.” She says.
More Powerful Stories
Barb’s story was originally published as part of our ‘Storytelling and Impact Report’ along with 14 other women, to learn more about their stories and the broader impact of Better Together you can read the rest of the report here.
