Why a long walk is a step in the right direction to tackle homelessness
For the 116,000-plus Australians who experience homelessness, walking an average 28km a week is an unavoidable reality.
Growing up in a small town in central west New South Wales, Byron was no stranger to the damaging effects of addiction on his community.
As a father of four, he tried to shield his children from the environment he grew up in.
“I was a hard worker, and I was on a good path working across multiple jobs to provide a good life for my family,” he says.
But after a relationship breakdown at 55 years old and other life challenges, Byron turned to drugs and gambling – and soon found himself living on the streets.
Every day became a battle for survival, preparing for another night without a roof over his head or a community to support him.
It was only after he came across the support services of Sydney’s Wayside Chapel that Byron’s life of homelessness came to an end.
Wayside Chapel leading the way
Wayside Chapel has been providing support to people on and around the streets of Sydney since 1964 and more recently has expanded to other parts of New South Wales.
Wayside Chapel pastor and chief executive officer Jon Owen says he is proud of the organisation’s effort to provide a safe space for equitable access to essential health, social and recreational services, as well as unconditional support and a place to share stories and experience without fear of judgment.
And he says its services are needed now more than ever.
“Australians are under extreme financial pressures with the cost of living increasing in recent months,” Jon says.
“We have seen people, even families, forced to sleep on the streets and turn to services like Wayside as they do not have any other option.”
Every night, at least 116,000 people in Australia experience homelessness.
After providing pedometers to some of its regular homeless visitors, Wayside worked out that some are walking an average 28km every week just to access vital support services and find a safe place to sleep – a figure that has inspired the Long Walk Home charity event to raise vital funds for the organisation.
We have seen people, even families, forced to sleep on the streets and turn to services like Wayside as they do not have any other option.
Join the Long Walk Home
Now in its fifth year, the Long Walk Home will see people walking 28km from Parramatta to Kings Cross from 4pm on Friday, October 7.
The event aims to raise $1.2 million to support people experiencing homelessness, with participants outside of Sydney also able to participate an online virtual walk over a week.
Byron has urged the community to join him at the event to walk in the shoes of people like him, who have experienced the isolation and pain of homeless.
“This Long Walk Home resonates with me deeply. I would walk the Long Walk Home 10 times over in one night,” Byron says.
“I would just walk and walk and walk, trying to find a place to sleep. For years I’d wake up at railway stations, in parks, on football ovals, and down in rivers, often cold and freezing in the middle of winter.
“I was blessed to be waking up at all. It was a bonus if I had another day of life.”
While Byron credits his recovery to Wayside Chapel, Jon says Byron has been the ultimate gift to the organisation.
“Often when I hear Byron talk, he expresses how grateful he is that he found Wayside, but we are so grateful that we found Byron,” he says.
“Almost from the moment he walked through our doors he asked how he could help.”
Entry into the Long Walk Home costs $50 per individual. Register at the Long Walk Home website.
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Written by Tia Harmer.
