Homelessness affects many people and growing awareness within the region is the key to many community and government organisations.
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Members of the Stawell community gathered on Friday morning at a breakfast, supplied by Woolworths and hosted by Grampians Community Health, for a presentation about homelessness within the region and what services are available.
Sasha Inglis and Heather Hemley of Stawell Secondary College each presented on their interpretation of perceptions of homelessness within society.
Sasha expressed how unfair people’s perceptions were of stereotyping and the difficulties that are faced.
“Homelessness can come from many different reasons. It’s hard to re-establish yourself when someone becomes homeless,” she said.
Treatment of people was Heather Hemley’s key message. Her passion comes from seeing how people are treated and the reality that some people don’t have a place to call home.
“It’s sad to know people don’t have an address to call their own,” she said.
Stawell Secondary College teacher Wendy Phillips was delighted when the opportunity came up for students to present at the breakfast.
“I have seen the effects of homelessness before moving to Stawell. It’s a great opportunity for the community to gain greater awareness,” she said.
Grampians Community Health’s message at the breakfast was identifying how this issue is hidden in regional and remote areas and that homelessness can be caused by many reasons.
It’s sad to know people don’t have an address to call their own.
- Heather Hemley
Homelessness can come in many forms, from young and old to families and singles. Over time services have identified the need to tailor support for individuals broadening needs.
Homelessness Week, last week, aims to educate people on the issue.
Homelessness is defined as the state of having no home and might include sleeping rough, couch surfing, extended stays at hotels or caravan parks, camping, living out of a car, crisis accommodation or transitional housing.
During the 2016-17 financial year, one in every 56 people in the state accessed some form of homelessness support service.
During the same period, Uniting Wimmera had more than 1237 instances of families and individuals seeking assistance.