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Turning Lives Around: Sharon's Story 💫 Sharon* is a young mum whose life has been marked by poverty and domestic violence. From feeling lost and vulnerable, Barnardos supported her every step of the way on her journey to a safer and brighter future. When we first started working with Sharon, she was actively using drugs, couch surfing and involved with the Department of Communities and Justice due to concerns surrounding her ability to care for her unborn child. She already had shared custody of her three older children, aged between four and eight, and had severed ties with immediate and extended family. Sharon had experienced extreme poverty in childhood, leading her down a rabbit hole of abuse, substance misuse and poor mental health. She had limited education opportunities and struggled to find employment. Once she knew she could trust Barnardos, Sharon was willing to break the cycle. She agreed to attend a mother and baby inpatient drug rehabilitation centre for three months, following the birth of her baby. Barnardos worked closely with Sharon during this time, collaborating with other essential services to ensure she was receiving the right level of care after more than a decade of substance abuse. We secured transitional housing for Sharon at the end of her therapy and through strong partnerships with Dandelion and Vinnies, Barnardos furnished her new home. Relieving the financial burden of affording essential items meant Sharon could focus on setting up a safe environment for her baby and work towards reconnecting with her older children. Despite having to rely solely on parenting Centrelink payments, Sharon did her best to provide for her children. She was able to move into a three-bedroom property, arranged by housing services, after a year in transitional housing. The sense of pride and gratitude she feels for this home is clear as she continues to build a life free from poverty. She has also achieved two milestones once thought impossible: obtaining her driver’s licence and purchasing a car with a NILs loan, granting her newfound independence. Sharon has since secured her first job, demonstrating remarkable commitment despite mental health setbacks. The impact of intergenerational poverty remains a constant battle for Sharon, especially as the cost-of-living crisis continues to place financial strain on this young mum. But she is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty, so her children can grow up feeling empowered. Barnardos has been privileged to help Sharon throughout her journey and with continued support from her caseworker, paired with Sharon’s determination to create a better life for her children, the future looks bright. *Name changed to protect privacy