Sometimes, we all need somewhere to land

As Manager of the Brisbane Relief Hub, I've seen firsthand that hardship can happen to anyone. The people who come through our doors are incredibly diverse, and each has a unique story to tell. But this week, it's two people in particular who have stayed with me.

The first was a mum we normally only see at Christmas through our Red Bag Appeal. She's a single mum raising four children and works incredibly hard to keep everything together. Her children are always well cared for, fed, clothed and at school. She's the sort of person who does everything she can to provide for her family.

But recently, illness and unexpected medical bills left her short. For the first time, she found herself needing help with food.

We were able to provide hampers and extra meat to help her family through until her next pay. It meant four children could keep going to school with full tummies, and one mum had one less thing to worry about.

The second person was a young man who had been released from prison only a month earlier. Since his release, he'd been sleeping rough and trying to rebuild his life without stable housing or family support.

Brisbane Relief Hub pantry

Before joining the Brisbane Relief Hub ten years ago, I worked as a prison counsellor, so I understand just how difficult those first weeks can be. When someone leaves prison with nowhere safe to sleep and no support network around them, it's incredibly hard to create a different future.

This young man wanted a fresh start. We were able to connect him with housing support and temporary accommodation while longer-term arrangements were made. Today, he has a roof over his head and a genuine opportunity to move forward.

Their circumstances couldn't have been more different, but they shared one important thing.

When life knocked them down, neither had someone there to catch them.

For many of us, when things get tough, there's someone we can call: a parent, sibling, friend or neighbour. But through loss, family breakdown, illness or circumstance, not everyone has that support.

And I often think the difference between coping and completely falling apart can simply be having someone there to catch you when life knocks you down.

Sometimes, people just need somewhere safe to land while they find their feet again.

I'm incredibly proud that, for so many people in our community, the Brisbane Relief Hub can be that place.

When you support the Relief Hub, you're helping ensure that when someone has nowhere else to turn, there is still somewhere they can go. Sometimes, that support is exactly what helps someone get back on their feet.

Thank you for being part of our community.

– Penny, Brisbane Relief Hub