Why Reconnecting Lives
Matters This Christmas
Samantha Drury, Chief Executive Officer
Every day at St Bart’s, we meet people who remind us that no matter how hard life has been, hope, dignity and joy are all still possible. Ms B is one of these people.
Her story is one of a difficult life. She is honest, courageous and has immense strength.
Ms B’s journey, from violence and trauma in the UK to safety in Western Australia, is a powerful reminder of why our Reconnecting Lives Program is needed now and into the future.
‘St Bart’s got me a home. They helped me rebuild my life.’
‘I grew up in a violent and unstable home in the UK. There were moments of light - like being accepted into a fine arts degree and drama school based purely on my merit as an artist. But without financial support, survival came first. I worked dangerous jobs just to get by.
Then my father died, and everything fell apart. I lost more than stability - I lost direction, identity, and hope. As challenges mounted, I began to realise something unusual was happening inside my head.’For Ms B, that chaos shaped everything. She made the heartbreaking decision not to have children, determined to break the cycle of trauma but unsure how.
‘In 2012, sick of feeling like a refugee in my own neighbourhood, I made the bold decision to start over in Australia.’
In a new country, Ms B found something she had never experienced before - real support. A hostel helped her assess her mental health and finally gave a name to the chaos: bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. ‘This diagnosis didn’t define me, but it gave my pain a name and helped me see that this is part of my journey - not my whole story.’
But the road was still hard. Medication left her feeling unlike herself. She needed independence. That’s when she found St Bart’s.
‘After an interview, I was assigned a case manager. With their support, I secured housing and finally felt safe.’
Through the Reconnecting Lives Program, Ms B discovered what she hadn’t had in years - if ever: stability, dignity, and a place to call home. Her case manager even helped her obtain citizenship, opening doors to a new future.
Now, at 61, Ms B is financially independent, supported by St Bart’s, and thriving through her music, writing and art.
‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ (John 1:5)