Her digital watch buzzes, piercing the background murmurings of the radio of the living room. It is a quarter past three. Sunlight slants through the curtains, casting long shadows. Bernie, hunched over a framed board, continues to etch at her scratch board with careful precision, an abstract form slowly unveiling itself to the outside world. This art form is new to Bernie, a practice only picked up in the last few years. But Bernie has always had eyes that observe the world and hands to sketch it.

If you were to cast a discerning gaze about her home, it would present an image reminiscent of countless others - a quintessential West Australian unit filled with comfort and personality (which comes alive with her collection of hats, lighters and doggie-themed knick knacks). Yet, amidst this semblance of familiarity, a few differences emerge that are pivotal to Bernie. You see, prior to living here, Bernie was homeless and had been for over 40 years.

At 14, Bernie decided to flee from her home, seeking an escape from the turmoil plaguing her young life. Her childhood was marred by sexual abuse from the tender age of 7. Her pleas for help were ignored. A home life that should have provided comfort and safety became a source of fear and uncertainty, driving her to seek refuge in the numbing embrace of alcohol and drugs.

Bernie's experiences as a child and beyond took a heavy toll on her mental health. A toll that Bernie still pays to this day – and one that has made leaving homelessness, through share houses or public housing, exceedingly challenging.

For 40 years, Bernie was stuck in a relentless cycle of finding temporary refuge only to lose it again and again. But today, she's been living in her home for 4 years, and uses her story to advocate for people in similar situations.

So, what changed?

A subtle shift unveiled itself within Bernie. A well of inner fortitude sprung, allowing Bernie to address her challenges. It was a turning point when she began confronting her experiences and the very things that had once provided solace. She embarked on a transformative journey through rehab, counselling and attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

During this change, while living in a hostel, Bernie was referred to the Independent Living Program (ILP) offered by Uniting WA. This program, unlike her fleeting experiences of shelters in the past, promised not just a roof, but a support system – a landlord model imbued with understanding, a dedicated caseworker to navigate the complexities of maintaining a home.

What does ILP look like for Bernie? For starters, the ritual of her rent inspections is rather different. Instead of the anxiety-inducing clipboard-wielding stranger silently scrutinising every corner, her inspections are a conversation with someone who trusts her judgement to ensure the property is maintained and that it continues to meet Bernie's needs.

Like everyone, Bernie finds solace in the presence of a confidant, a sympathetic ear who can offer guidance and steer her when she needs support. While we can all turn to the internet for answers, there is a unique comfort in seeking support from trusted individuals such as a partner, parents, children, friends, or colleagues. For Bernie, her sanctuary lies in the steadfast support of her dedicated case manager, a beacon of commitment to embolden her pursuit of autonomy and self-sufficiency.

Bernie's mental health challenges will never go away, but they can be managed. Bernie devotes herself to the cultivation of her mental well-being and keenly recognises the indispensable role of a compassionate community:

"What I would like you to know is that a place to stay is good, but just because you have a roof over your head, it's not the end of homelessness, it's just a first step."

Homeless people need services – like mental health or legal help or social workers – so that they can have the help to get over what made them homeless in the first place," said Bernie.

Bernie shares her story through Uniting WA's Recipe for Change program, where teams come together to learn firsthand about homelessness and collaborate to prepare meals for people sleeping rough in Perth.