PROVIDE QUALITY HOMES AND SERVICES
Q&A WITH TOGETHER HOME CASE MANAGER Together Home Case Manager Rhiann oversees the support of 16 clients and has seen first-hand the positive impact that the program has on their lives.
In your experience, why do people become homeless or in need of a program like this? There are many reasons for homelessness. With
Rhiann has deep experience in community support,
my caseload, the reasons include fleeing domestic
having previously worked for Neami National, a spe-
violence, previous incarceration/exiting prison, alcohol
cialised homeless service. She joined Evolve Housing
or drug use or mental health problems leading to family
in 2020 to work on the then-new Together Home pro-
breakdowns, generational trauma, comorbidities, and
gram, in the hopes of using her experience and skills to
young people leaving the care system.
help rough sleepers.
What does a typical day supporting clients look like for you?
What type of assistance is most important in getting clients back on their feet?
As a wraparound support service, no two days are
This is different for everyone. Together Home use the
ever the same. When I first meet a client the first few
housing first model. This model provides a home for an
weeks is based on getting to know them, building
individual to feel safe and secure in. For the majority of
that professional relationship, assisting them to
my clients, once they have somewhere to call home, it
move into a property and supporting them throughout
is much easier for them to access all supports needed
the process.
and engage with me. But also, a home is not the answer for everyone.
Once clients have been in the program for some time, we begin working through their support plan. I could
Some people do not have the ability to live independently
be assisting an individual with a court hearing (criminal
and need to live in supported accommodation. Or some
offences/family matters), implementing mental health
people just simply return to rough sleeping because it
support, making referrals to employment providers,
is all they ever knew.
conducting welfare checks or assisting with basic travel like grocery shopping or GP appointments.
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