From crisis to creativity: Lucy’s journey to healing through art

Lucy* met her ex-partner when she was 19, but after seven years of emotional and financial abuse she finally made the difficult decision to leave.

Like so many women fleeing violence, Lucy was left homeless, and found herself in and out of crisis accommodation for almost two years.

“I broke up the relationship, and leaving was dangerous,” she said.

“I was living in my car for a while and in a tent – I went up and slept on Mount Buninyong … it was tough but also eye opening … my life was on hold, but I still had a heater in my car, and I had warmth, and I got to see some amazing views.”

Now 28, Lucy has found stability living at McAuley House Ballarat and been able to pursue her true passion – art. She has even taken steps toward selling her own work.

“It has been good for me – I’ve settled in well,” said Lucy.

“I now have jobs at Pizza Hut and McDonalds and am looking to get into disability work. The stability of my life at McAuley has enabled me to pursue my goals like setting up an online store, which is a hobby but also a business. The art is very healing for me.”

Lucy has been living at McAuley House for five months and in time, the McAuley team will help her transition to long-term housing.

“The staff here are very supportive and motivating to work with … they helped me a lot in terms of gaining employment, gaining confidence back in the community, just having that support network again and knowing that I can rely on those people to turn to for help if I need it.”

*Real name has been changed to protect identity