Dee stayed at Vinnies Tom Fisher House and found a pathway out of homelessness
Vinnies Tom Fisher House is an intensive intervention service for people experiencing long-term homelessness. The service supports people on the fringes of society who face complex challenges that may prevent them from accessing other mainstream programs. The stays are free, and there are few barriers to entry.
Dee is a woman experiencing chronic homelessness. She visited Vinnies Tom Fisher House for interval breaks from sleeping rough on the streets. The shelter is one of the few crisis accommodation services that Dee has been able to access for several years.
To support Dee’s stay at Vinnies Tom Fisher House, the team worked patiently with her to understand the underlying issues behind her being homeless. By listening closely to Dee’s needs, the team created a support plan which included letting her know before the police came on-site as they triggered her anxiety.
Over time and continuous relationship building, Dee expressed a desire to engage with an official caseworker in 2021. Since then, a Street-to-Home worker has connected with Dee and provided a flexible and person-centred approach to support her.
Dee is no longer sleeping rough on the streets. She is warm and safe in secure accommodation at a new service with continued support from her case manager.
By supporting Vinnies, you are helping people on the margins, like Dee, access compassionate support, improve their well-being and transform their lives.