Sandy is a Housing Choices resident who has moved into Spence on Light, our brand-new 13 storey building. She had previously been living at Catherine House for just under two years and was thrilled to join our new over 55’s community in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD. Sandy is an Enrolled Nurse who previously worked in the challenging area of palliative care, and after her marriage breakdown, and the emergence of some health issues, she was unable to continue work in this field. She then found herself homeless. Catherine House was able to support her initially in their emergency program for three months, and once stabilised, she moved into their recovery program which provided a safe place to live, counselling, and mental health support. When the opportunity to live at Spence on Light arose, Sandy was ready to live alone and independently, and appreciated that she could ‘age in place’. After living in the building for two months, she has found it to be a friendly place. She loves that it is quiet, and she feels that there is a real sense of safety. When speaking directly about her new apartment, Sandy commented that it has everything needed for one person. She also loves that it is new and that no maintenance is required, and everything works.
Sandy is thrilled that her family are so happy to see her settled and in long-term housing. This housing security and independence allows her to see her grandson more, and she is proud to have family and friends to visit. Sandy has even named her new rescue cat “Spencer,” after the building she lives in! Having stable, long-term, and a ordable housing has also allowed Sandy to investigate applying for a scholarship to complete her certificate in Mental Health and Peer Support (lived experience). If her application is successful, she aims to complete this part-time at a campus close to her apartment in the city. She is still connected to Catherine House and attends their outreach programs and looks forward to attending more Housing Choices events and activities in the future.
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Housing Choices Australia | Annual Report 2019-20
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