Q&A with Together Home case manager

Together Home Case Manager Rhiann oversees the support of 16 clients and has seen first-hand the positive impact that the program has on their lives.

Rhiann has deep experience in community support, having previously worked for Neami National, a specialised homeless service. She joined Evolve Housing in 2020 to work on the then-new Together Home program, in the hopes of using her experience and skills to help rough sleepers.

What does a typical day supporting clients look like for you?

As a wraparound support service, no two days are ever the same. When I first meet a client the first few weeks is based on getting to know them, building that professional relationship, assisting them to move into a property and supporting them throughout the process.

Once clients have been in the program for some time, we begin working through their support plan. I could be assisting an individual with a court hearing (criminal offences/family matters), implementing mental health support, making referrals to employment providers, conducting welfare checks or assisting with basic travel like grocery shopping or GP appointments.

In your experience, why do people become homeless or in need of a program like this?

There are many reasons for homelessness. With my caseload, the reasons include fleeing domestic violence, previous incarceration/exiting prison, alcohol or drug use or mental health problems leading to family breakdowns, generational trauma, comorbidities, and young people leaving the care system.

What type of assistance is most important in getting clients back on their feet?

This is different for everyone. Together Home use the housing first model. This model provides a home for an individual to feel safe and secure in. For the majority of my clients, once they have somewhere to call home, it is much easier for them to access all supports needed and engage with me. But also, a home is not the answer for everyone.

Some people do not have the ability to live independently and need to live in supported accommodation. Or some people just simply return to rough sleeping because it is all they ever knew.