Robert's Story

01 Aug 2023

For 20 odd years, Robert was sleeping rough in Sydney’s CBD. Three years ago, Homeless Health Nurse, Emma Barnett spotted Robert in Marin Place and spent the next two years gently gaining his trust. Despite significant concerns about Robert’s blood pressure, he was reluctant to come to hospital for treatment, and it wasn’t until he suffered a cardiac event landing him in ICU that he finally accepted the help he so desperately needed and deserved.

When Robert came to St Vincent’s, he had no ID, no bank account, no income and no housing. He hadn’t engaged in any health care for over 20 years.

After nine days in ICU, followed by a stay on the cardiac ward Xavier 10 South, Robert was linked to the Homeless Health Assertive Outreach Team, who supported a real-life transformation for Robert.

While recuperating under the care of Tierney House over the next four months, Homeless Health Outreach Nurse, Josephine Gray worked alongside Robert every step of the way, while he regained his identification, opened his first bank account in over 20 years, and began claiming the aged care pension.

A quiet, graceful man, Robert seems to still be processing the adjustments in his life in what is a relatively short time. “It feels - different”.

But the support he’s received from the Homeless Health team has helped him through this transition as he experienced quite a few milestone firsts. With Josephine by his side, he bought himself some clothes using tap technology, used the ATM and is learning how to use his first ever mobile phone.

Recently Robert moved out of Tierney House, and into permanent housing at a local aged care residential living facility, where he says he’s happy.

Now no longer a client of the Homeless Health Service, Robert has joined the Homeless Health Consumer Feedback group, to help us to improve our services for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

“I can’t see how they’d do anything better, they’re near perfect”, he says.

Robert