Jacob Mossop admits his life was “going downhill” before he found St Vinnie’s who helped him turn it around.
Jacob was camping at John’s Landing, not working and “not hanging out with the right people”.
He is now living in share accommodation at Cooroy and has gone back to school to complete Year 12. His next goal is to find some work, graduate at the end of next year and get into the army reserve, and he’d like to travel.
“They’re lovely people. They helped me get back,” he said of St Vincent de Paul staff.
“I feel a lot better – doing things and succeeding.”
Last Thursday Jacob joined representatives from Noosa Council and not-for-profit organisations at the inaugural Social Services Hub Day, a fortnightly one-stop-shop initiative to provide services for people who are facing hardship.
Services involved in the Hub Day include Sunny Street mobile health service, St Vincent de Paul, Red Cross Employment Services and Orange Sky Laundry.
St Vincent de Paul’s Maureen Farrington said it was difficult for many people in need to access services and they often required a number of services.
Maureen said St Vinnies had seen an increase in the numbers of people seeking help. “They are all age groups. There’s no pattern to who we see,” she said.
“Women in their 50s living in cars is becoming a trend. They don’t have the long-term financial back up that men do. They’re becoming more visible, more receptive to help. “They understand we’re friends. The cost of living is a big part of the issues. Affordable housing is so important.”
Maureen said simple things like listening to people’s stories and knowing someone cares about them was so important to them.
Red Cross employment services team leader Gary George said his aim at the Hub Day would be helping clients with their individual needs and giving them the confidence to go back to work. The Hub Day will open Tuesdays from 9.30am to 1.30pm from 16 October at Tait-Duke Community Cottage, Earl Street, Tewantin.
