My name is Kerry, and this is my story of how my children and I found our way to a new life.
It’s really hard for me to put into words. For a long time, it didn’t feel like it was my life I was living. I’d switched off, given up, I was completely disconnected from my reality. I felt ashamed and embarrassed that at 49 years old I’d allowed myself to be worn down, belittled, controlled and monitored.
I felt like I was disappearing, I was isolated from my friends and family, I had no one to talk to, no one to confide in.
One day my partner had followed me again. I saw him by chance from across the street. In that moment, I saw myself from the outside, something shifted and a spark of defiance ignited.
I went straight to the Town Hall and presented myself as homeless. My only option was to accept a room in a hotel for myself and my children. The situation was dire. Doubts set in as I began questioning myself, have I done the right thing? Should I go back home? Then I received a text saying I had been referred to the 700 Club, I had nothing left to lose and arranged to go and meet with them.
When I first met my support worker, I was a mess. I was crying and shaking. She was amazing, she was so calm, she didn’t judge me. She just listened. She told me about their supported accommodation, about counselling services that I could access and how they could help me. It felt like someone had given me a lifeline.
When I walked through the door of the family house that was being offered to me, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. The property was my first crucial first step toward healing and independence. It gave me space to breathe, process trauma, and begin to plan for the future without the constant threats and control.
The staff are incredible, the help I’ve received has been truly life changing, my support worker has been fantastic. She has helped me rebuild my self-esteem and confidence. When I look at my children now, I know I made the right choice and I’m proud of it. The most valuable lesson I hope I’ve taught them is not to tolerate abuse.
The journey will be hard, but the ongoing support makes you feel like you’re not alone.
I am stronger than I ever thought I could be. I’ve rediscovered passions Id had to give up, hobbies, friends, the drive to start a new career. For the first time in a long time I feel happy in myself, I feel peaceful. Living again, not just surviving day to day.
Of course, there will be good days and bad days, and moments when fear and anxiety resurface, but when you have a safe space and no longer have to dread the sound of a key in the door, the future looks so much brighter. The 700 Club haven’t just provided secure accommodation and practical support, they’ve rebuilt my self-worth, given me my identity back and some pride. They are responsible for guiding me on a journey of rebuilding, healing, and rediscovering a sense of self that was systematically taken away.
This isn’t just a new home; this is our fresh start.