Stories of Hope

Here are just a few Welcome Wins we’ve had recently:

Danny’s Story

Danny had always lived with his mother and worked for his brother-in-law his entire adult life. But when his mother passed away, everything changed. Family relationships broke down and Danny suddenly found himself without work, support, or a place to belong.

Soon after, tragedy struck again. Danny’s car was stolen, along with all of his belongings. With nowhere to turn and nothing left, he arrived at St Mary’s House of Welcome overwhelmed, distressed, and struggling with depression.

St Mary’s House of Welcome stepped in at one of the darkest moments of Danny’s life. With the help of our generous supporters, we were able to able to provide him with meals, showers, emergency clothing and emotional support. Our community support workers were able to help him replace his identification documents and connect him with emergency accommodation, a GP, and pathways to transitional and long-term housing. While he was still sleeping rough, St Mary’s House of Welcome provided Danny with a sleeping bag and small tent so he could at least have some protection and dignity.

With support, Danny slowly began rebuilding his life. He overcame addiction, regained his health and confidence, and, with the help of our support workers, eventually moved into permanent housing.

Throughout the journey, Danny never stopped expressing his gratitude, often expressing how he felt like he had found a new community. Just last week, he dropped by St Mary’s House of Welcome to share some exciting news. He had started a new job that he loves, and it’s a permanent position.

Thanks to our wonderful supporters, what once felt like the end of everything for Danny has now become a new beginning.

Ruby’s Story

Ruby fled Sudan seeking safety and a better life for her family. But in 2019, after enduring ongoing domestic violence, she faced another heartbreaking decision, leaving her husband to protect herself and her two young children.

For a time, Ruby and her children had nowhere to go. They slept in their car and moved between friends’ couches, doing whatever they could to survive.

Eventually, they were taken in by a local refuge, offering temporary safety. But the future remained uncertain.

That’s when St Mary’s House of Welcome stepped in.

Thanks to our generous donors, our team were able to work alongside Ruby, advocating tirelessly to secure safe and appropriate housing for her family. We provided support letters, housing referrals, and challenged an unsuitable housing offer. Our support workers worked closely with the women’s refuge, immigration services, child protection, and schools to ensure Ruby and her children received the support they needed.

When a suitable permanent housing offer was finally secured in late 2025, St Mary’s House of Welcome continued to walk alongside Ruby helping with tenancy sign-up, electricity connection, moving arrangements, and even arranging delivery of a donated fridge and bedding so the family could start their new life with dignity.

Earlier this year, Ruby experienced something she had not had in years - hope and reconnection. In January, she travelled back to Africa with her two children to visit her twin sister and reconnect with family members still living in a refugee camp.

Ruby remains deeply grateful and still keeps in touch with St Mary’s House of Welcome, often sharing her appreciation for the support that helped her family find safety and stability.

Sarah’s Story

Sarah was only 22 years old when she arrived at St Mary’s House of Welcome, carrying her eight-month-old daughter and the weight of months of uncertainty.

Despite doing everything she could, Sarah had been unable to secure a private rental. Living in transitional housing, she was trying desperately to create stability for her baby while navigating a complex housing system that often felt overwhelming.

With the generosity of our supporters behind us, St Mary’s House of Welcome was able to step in to help guide Sarah through the arduous process of getting housed.

With support from our team, Sarah completed a public housing application and received strong advocacy to ensure her situation was heard and understood.

Just four months later, Sarah received a life-changing offer of public housing.

Today, Sarah and her daughter are settling into their new home. For the first time, Sarah has a safe and stable place where she can focus on raising her child and building a brighter future.

For this young mother, a secure home means more than just a roof over their heads. It means hope, stability, and the chance to thrive.

Lisa’s Story

To most of us, this image of an empty apartment looks like it could be just another rental property, but for our service user Lisa*, it's not only her new home, it's a brand-new start. Lisa lived a very normal life until she became homeless three years ago - she was a single mum working in a job that she loved, when she found herself in an abusive relationship. Lisa ended up having to go into hiding, and lost everything she had, including her job and her house, and began sleeping rough.

“It was something I never ever thought would happen to me, having to sleep outside train stations and bus stops. I couldn’t even find a toilet to use, because all the public toilets close at a certain time of night. It was horrible. And having people pretend they didn’t see me when they walked past me just made the whole experience even more degrading.”

Lisa found St Mary's House of Welcome by chance, when she was waiting at the tram stop across the road. She started meeting regularly with one of our community support workers, and within a few weeks, our team were able to secure housing for Lisa!

“I didn’t think I would be housed for months, I just can’t believe it.  St Mary’s House of Welcome has done so much more for me than any other organisation I’ve tried to get help from, and in such a short timeframe too. The community support workers and so genuine and caring and have given me the strength to get my life back on track. If I could give anyone in my situation any advice, it would be to never give up. Don’t lose hope or determination, because there are people like the St Mary’s House of Welcome staff who can get you the help you need. I am now looking for a job where I can give back to the community. I want to help victims of domestic violence, or people who are homeless. I will be forever grateful to St Mary’s House of Welcome for changing my life for the better and inspiring me to help others.”

David’s Story

After spending nine months incarcerated, one of the first places David went after his release from prison was St Mary’s House of Welcome.

Leaving prison without accommodation can be overwhelming, but David knew there was one place he could turn. St Mary’s House of Welcome had previously been a safe and welcoming space for him, and he hoped the team might be able to help him get back on his feet.

When David arrived, he was warmly welcomed by familiar faces. Reconnecting with support workers who knew his story made a huge difference during an uncertain time.

Our team worked closely with David to connect him with the right services and secure emergency accommodation. From there, he was able to transition into a rooming house where he is now happily settling in and beginning to rebuild stability in his life.

Without the support of St Mary’s House of Welcome, David would have had nowhere to go upon release. Access to safe accommodation and trusted support has helped him avoid returning to the cycles that so often trap people experiencing homelessness.