More Than a Meal
Matt’s Letter shared by Uniting WA
Nine years ago, I couldn’t have imagined writing to you from inside a home again.
My name is Matt. I’m not usually the talkative one. That’s Jodie, my partner of 16 years. She tells the stories while I stand beside her, listening and supporting. But I wanted to share this with you.
We had a home once. Jobs, routines, five kids. Then in 2017, everything fell apart in a single night. There was a violent home invasion. I ended up in hospital, and the damage to the property left a mark on our rental record. After that, doors started closing.
We didn’t fight it. Not because we didn’t care, but because we were in shock and just trying to recover. Jodie focused on the kids. Friends took them in, and as long as they were safe, we told ourselves we could cope with anything.
People often ask why we didn’t stay with them. We did, sometimes. A night here or there. They fed us and gave us a place to wash. But you can only ask so much. Our kids were building their own lives, and we didn’t want to put that at risk or wear out the kindness around us.
So eventually, we moved into our car.
What we thought would be temporary became six years of sleeping rough, not by choice, but because of circumstance.
When you live on the streets, you don’t really sleep. You listen. You stay alert. Your body doesn’t switch off because it can’t. Things most people don’t think about suddenly matter. A shower. A bathroom. A hot coffee. A safe place to keep your things.
That’s why Uniting WA’s Engagement Hub became our safe place. We came every day. For food, yes, but also to shower, charge our phones, and stay connected to our kids. That mattered more than anything. Even without a home, it helped us feel like we were still parents.
What made the difference wasn’t just the meals. It was the consistency, the conversations, and the trust that built over time. Knowing we could come back the next day and be met with the same care gave us stability and hope.
After years of waiting, we were finally offered a home.
Looking back, I know how much harder those years would have been without that support. It gave us something steady when everything else felt uncertain.
These days, I volunteer in the Hub kitchen, helping others who are where we once were. The need is still there every day.
I’m proud of how far we’ve come. I often think about my mum, who worked in community services and believed people deserve dignity, not judgement. That is exactly what I see in places like Uniting WA. Real change that happens over time, with care.
Thank you for being part of our story.
Matt
Proud Stepdad, Volunteer and Uniting WA lived experience advocate
The work doesn’t stop at a meal
Uniting WA’s winter appeal shares Matt’s story of experiencing homelessness after a violent home invasion and how he worked with Uniting to reach his path home. Read more on Matt’s story and donate to Uniting WA to help them support their vital work here: More than a meal – Uniting WA
