Growing up in Applecross, the thought of spending years living on the streets of Perth was something that never crossed Connie’s mind. From the outside she had a solid family home and stable school life. Behind closed doors, however, it was a different story. “I used to get ear infections …

Who knew a visit to a local burger restaurant could be so serendipitous for one of St Bart’s consumers? Chris Rayner had just ordered a burger at Grill’d and was given a bottle cap as part of the franchises’ social enterprise program, where customers can nominate a charity organisation to …

“You’ll have to excuse me if I keep asking you to repeat the question,” says Colin. While it’s not an uncommon statement from someone in their mid-70’s, Colin’s colourful life as a professional musician certainly adds weight to the request. Born in Harvey in 1947 and spending much of his …

It’s her warm nature and ability to talk openly to everyone and anyone that has earned Kerry the nickname “mum” to many living on the streets of Perth. To us at St Bart’s, she’s recognised as one of our most loyal and eager volunteers. And while battling her own health …

A resident at St Bart’s Arnott Community Recovery Village, 36-year-old Craig has been making quite the stir lately – mostly in the kitchen, as he dives deeper into a newfound passion for cooking and sustainable gardening. Naming Jamie Oliver as his cooking idol, Craig says that it’s his rustic, simple, …

“If you had met me two years ago, I was monosyllabic,” says Sophie. “I couldn’t speak more than one word at a time, I couldn’t connect with people, and I had severe anhedonia.” Sophie’s description of herself is in stark contrast to the woman that stands before us today, whose …

When Tamara speaks about her children, her voice involuntarily breaks. This will be her third Christmas without her 7-year-old daughter, and even longer without her 12-year-old son. “It just takes that one event to turn your whole life upside down,” says Tamara. It’s a line we hear so often at …