Only two hours into her caravan tour around Queensland, Logan local Sharol Rudd met three older women living out of their cars.
Alone and vulnerable, it’s a lifestyle no one should be forced into. Yet for many women in and around Logan, it’s reality.
The scene broke Ms Rudd’s heart, and inspired her to help in any way she could once she returned home.
She ended up founding a group called Helping Out a Mate, where volunteers renovate vans and caravans before donating them to older women experiencing homelessness.
“We find caravans and vans, we fit them out and give them to mature aged homeless ladies to get them from sleeping in their cars,” Ms Rudd said.
“It’s a step up on their way to permanent homes. We realize that the vans are not permanent homes. This is a temporary measure.”
So far, the group has donated three caravans, two vans, and two camper trailers to Beyond Barriers, who distribute the renovated vehicles and assists people experiencing homelessness.
In Logan, at least 287 women are currently experiencing homelessness, including 106 young women under 18, according to data compiled by LoganZero, a Logan-based advocacy organisation committed to ending homelessness.
“This includes individuals staying in motels, unsafe housing, refuges, and those sleeping rough,” a Logan Zero spokesperson said.
“Of these, 88 women and 29 children are sleeping rough.
“These figures reflect only those known by name and therefore underestimate the true scale of homelessness in Logan.”
The Logan Village Men’s Shed and other local volunteers have worked diligently to help Ms Rudd on her mission, chipping in to complete the vehicle renovations.
They are currently working to refit a caravan and a horse float.
Men’s Shed member Andy Boyd said they didn’t often take on community projects.
But the shed made an exception for Helping Out a Mate.
“The general opinion of the men here was that it sounds like a very worthwhile exercise,” he said.
“The Men’s Shed motto is shoulder to shoulder, which indicates that blokes talk to each other much better if they’re involved in a certain common activity.
“In fact, if anybody brings in a little project of their own, they find they have to fight off guys trying to help them.”
The caravan Mr Boyd is currently working on needs new windows, sealant, insulation and ceiling leaks to be patched up.
One caravan could take a month to make safe, usable and liveable, depending on it’s issues and the number of volunteers on board.
Each project presents a different set of challenges, but volunteers are motivated to make a difference.
Once caravans renovations are completed, Beyond Barriers manager Daniel Cinzio loans the temporary homes out to people free of charge.
When people no longer need the caravans, often because they have found a stable or permanent living situation, the vans are returned to Mr Cinzio who can then pass the vehicle onto another person in need.
“When people are done with them, they hand it back, and then they go on to someone else, for another life,” Mr Cinzio said.
“I make them available to anyone and everyone, but I particularly prioritize, because of the limited number of caravans, people who are really doing it tough.
“People are very grateful, and a number of people are blown away that they’re given such generosity in such a difficult time.”
Helping Out a Mate relies entirely on donations from the public. All caravans, vans, and horse floats have been donated to the group, who also accept donations of aluminium, sealant, and caravan windows for renovation efforts.
