December 12, 2021

Ep 72) Bridge It - Community & Connection is key to people’s Lives 🏠

20 minutes

Please show your support at https://www.bridgeit.org.au

Two Natural Ladies have an inspiring chat with Carla Reynes founder of Bridge It. Carla has worked in the homelessness sector for 17 years both in the UK and in Australia and in 2018 co-founded a not-for-profit social enterprise, Home Share Melbourne. In July 2021 Carla launched her own charity, Bridge It which continues the work of Home Share Melbourne as well as offering two residential programs for women in St Kilda.

Jo & Vicki start by finding out how the two residential programs work:

The Sanctuary is an 8 apartment property in St Kilda, beautifully renovated to high standards. This program is for women over 25 and is really targeted to women middle aged plus who are the fastest growing homeless group in Australia. The aim: – to create a community of women living with a psychological & psychiatric issue.

With an onsite mentor and links to many other support networks, this is potentially a forever housing option. With support with mental health, employment and a stable place to live the aim is to create a community feel where true friendships can be fostered. For some this safe environment may allow some of these women to transition into one bedroom apartments – for others The Sanctuary will be their forever home.

The Cocoon has a therapeutic aspect: A 19 apartment property with beautiful high quality housing at an affordable price (the women give 30% of income). This is designed for young women. Another safe housing option for women with additional issues, mainly psychological and psychiatric disabilities.

Included will be, therapies a sensory garden and community building. The idea is with early intervention after a 12 month period, these young women will be ready to live independently. Two Natural Ladies discuss with Carla, where her ideas came from. And after almost 20 years in the industry Carla has worked in many different homeless area and has used the best of these to create something ‘more’ than what has been out there up till now.

One of the major issues with many of the agencies at present is they are short term. A six week program is often not enough for real change. Once the support is withdrawn, the problems return. As Vicki and Jo discover, it ends up being a continuous cycle. Creating a 12 month safe housing option, is enough time to see real change.

Carla is a big thinker with big aspirations. Two Natural Ladies uncover some of Carla’s future goals.

Prove this model works that investing in people will make a difference not in the too hard basket.

Roll it out throughout Australia and get government support!

Jo, Vicki and Carla discuss the balance of being a mum and entrepreneur. Carla shares how inspired she is being the mum of two. “Being a mum is what motivates me! I want everyone to have affordable and safe housing” Watch this space as Carla creates the change so needed in a system that is quite broken. As well as creating a flexible work environment for all. This is a podcast that will leave you touched, moved and inspired. ************

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Video production sponsored by Nurture Queen Videos https://www.nurturequeenvideos.com

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By Two Natural Ladies