Homelessness and isolation: How connecting with others allows healing for those sleeping rough

Abstract

On the fringes and often unheard, those who have experienced homelessness are rarely given a voice.

When more than 100 people, who once lived on the street, came together in an Ipswich park over the weekend to connect with medical services, receive sanitary products, clothes and even hair cuts — they shared their stories of survival.

The event was run by Signal Flare, a not-for-profit organisation, started by formerly homeless man, Grant Richards.

The organisation hosts barbecues twice a year in Brisbane and Ipswich, and bring together service providers for the homeless.

Signal Flare patron, Gregory Smith, spent several years sleeping rough in bushland near Mullumbimby in New South Wales and said many homeless people felt isolated with no opportunity to connect with others.