How Kirsty found the safety and skills she needed to overcome life's obstacles at Horizon House

17 Apr 2025

Disability support worker, Kirsty, is forever grateful for St John of God Horizon House for support during a troubling time in her life.

At the age of 16 and the beginning of her Victorian Certificate of Education year, Kirsty’s father moved three hours away. She decided to move in with her mother, who lived only 40 minutes out of town.

“Unfortunately, mum has always been an alcoholic and had mental health issues on top of that, so after a few months I found it difficult to stay with her and decided to move in with my boyfriend,” Kirsty said.

“While that seemed like a better option at the time, he became emotionally and physically abusive, so I left him after a year living together and moved in with a friend for a couple of months before finding a room to rent. 

“However, that living situation soon became extremely toxic and I ended up having to turn to my school for support as I had nowhere to go and no friends to take me in. I ended up staying with a teacher for two weeks until a room became available at Horizon House.”

St John of God Horizon House provides safe, stable accommodation and support to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and works with residents to help them develop the skills and access the support they need to look after themselves and go on to attain and maintain housing independently.

“I moved into Horizon House just after I turned 18. The two years beforehand, where I had gone from unstable living situation to unstable living situation, got harder and harder each time and really impacted my mental health.

“I hadn’t heard of Horizon House before my school told me about it, but I am so grateful I got to live there at such a troubling time in my life.”

As well as providing a safe and stable home, Kirsty credits Horizon House with helping her develop the skills she missed out on when living with family.

“There was always support when I needed it and the workers were so helpful and kind in teaching me so many new skills. While I was living there, I learnt how to cook better, clean better, and got assistance with other things like references, filling out university documents and getting into the L to P driving program.”

Kirsty notes it is important for others to remember they are not alone in the challenges they are facing in life, and they should not be afraid to reach out for help as there is support available for them.

“Horizon House is an amazing service and I would recommend it to anyone. You always feel safe when you’re there and you will come out of it knowing so many new skills, ready to take on whatever challenge life throws at you.”

As to where Kirsty is now in her life?

“I’m now a disability support worker and have just finished my Diploma of Nursing. I rent a room in a nice house in a very safe and newly developed area in Ballarat and I have a lovely boyfriend, who has a lovely family.

“If I didn’t get the opportunity to live at Horizon House, who’s to say if I would have made it through all the obstacles I had to overcome, or made it through my first nursing placement, or made it to the good place where I am today?”