Sleeping rough takes guts. According to the 2021 Street Count, 57 individuals across the Northern Beaches are currently doing just that. Think about being exposed to the elements, the mercilessness of concrete, the constant bustle of the street – it is certainly not for the faint of heart. But how many times have you stopped to consider the individuals themselves in this situation?
Let’s face it – we’re a judgemental society with prejudices towards others, based simply on how they act or look. But as Daniel Peterson, of Community Northern Beaches says, “you must always ask the why”. If an individual is sleeping rough, instead of judging them as lazy, ask why they are sleeping rough. Is it a result of family breakdown? The effects of substance use? It is crucial to understand just how and why people are in the situations they are.
Rough Edges is a Darlinghurst based, volunteer-run organisation that does just that. It prides itself on ‘Open hearts, open hands, open doors.’ Offering a community drop-in centre, a Community Assistance Program and Banksia Women, a support service for female victims of domestic violence, the importance of Rough Edges on Sydney’s marginalised communities cannot be understated.
Each year they hold Roughtober, an annual sleep-out designed to raise awareness around the issues of homelessness and provide an educational experience for participants. They are running a School & Youth Event on October 15th, and a wider community event on October 29th.
I spoke with Lizzie, who will be sharing her lived experience at the Youth Event, and has a rich story of her own to tell. At 20 years old, Lizzie is now staying in her own apartment in Dee Why. She lived on the North Shore, attended a private school, had all the material possessions one could need – however, she faced domestic violence at home, which worsened her mental health issues. After high school, she no longer felt comfortable at home, and began couch surfing, whilst still trying to manage study and work.
The unimaginable trauma and pre-existing mental health issues became overwhelming, and she presented at hospital with suicide ideations. In hospital, Burdekin (an NB youth support group) helped her find stable accommodation. Lizzie now has a job, and is studying Law & Psychology, with aspirations of working with children in the legal system. “Don’t pretend everything is ok if it isn’t” Lizzie said, on not feeling worthy of the help offered, “we have to take away the judgement around mental health, and help people be more open with their struggles.”
Sarah-Jane Alley, the Assistant Head of the Senior School at St Luke’s, discussed the school’s involvement in Roughtober. Coming into their fourth year of participating in the event, Sarah-Jane stressed the importance of creating a deeper understanding around the issues of homelessness for their students. “[They] have any preconceived ideas challenged, and are able to understand the bigger picture of the world they live in.” St Luke’s have had an intimate connection with Rough Edges for over six years now, and the impact of Roughtober is so great, that one student is donating 1500 masks to Rough Edges. The event is no doubt powerful, as it “creates a wealth of thought for future students.”
For more info about Roughtober and how you can get involved visit: https://www.roughedges.org/events