Elena’s* journey began under incredibly difficult circumstances. She grew up in an abusive family, where she was abused by her brother, leading authorities to appoint the High Court as her legal guardian to ensure her safety. She spent her childhood in boarding school until she turned 18. At that point, Elena entered into an abusive relationship. By the time she was 20, she had already endured the devastating loss of two stillborn babies.
Despite loving her partner, Elena felt trapped in fear, unable to leave. When she finally found the courage to do so, she felt as though her ex-partner had taken everything from her. Stripped of her sense of self-worth and overcome by isolation, Elena turned to substance abuse as a way to cope.
As she struggled with addiction, Elena entered another abusive relationship and she lost custody of both her first and second daughters, who were placed in foster care. Caught in a cycle she felt unable to escape from, Elena resorted to theft to fuel her addiction, and she ended up serving a lengthy prison sentence.
A turning point came when Elena was referred to Connection Support, to one of our Integrated Floating Support Services, which provided her with the mental health support and empowered her to make positive changes in her life.
Although initially resistant, Elena slowly began to open up. She struggled with deep mental health issues, as well as feelings of abandonment from her mother due to the domestic violence she had experienced growing up. However, her Support Worker remained patient, beginning with phone calls, and gradually moving to in-person meetings at a pace that felt comfortable for Elena. This gentle approach helped her build trust with her Support Worker and allowed Elena to begin confronting her past.
Recognising the depth of Elena’s challenges, her Support Worker referred her to local Community Liaison Initiatives and then to ARC, a program for individuals battling long-term substance addiction. Alongside mental health support, Elena’s Support Worker encouraged her to create a recovery box— a tool designed to help her manage moments of distress.
Over time, Elena’s confidence grew, and she was encouraged to attend group sessions at a local support group, where she completed a course on positive thinking, which helped reshape her mindset and build her resilience.
With ongoing support from both her probation officer and her dedicated Support Worker, Elena gradually began to regain control of her life. Today, she is free from the anxiety of her past and no longer surrounded by negative influences. She describes her transformation as “walking across a rainbow”, symbolising the hope and newfound peace she now feels.
Thanks to this unwavering support, Elena is on the path to rebuilding her life. Her mental health continues to improve, her recovery from substance abuse progresses, and her resilience and independence are growing stronger.
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*To protect our client’s privacy, names have been changed, and stock imagery has been used in place of real photographs.