While it may take a village to raise a child, at the same time, it can take a ‘village’ of people to provide specialised support and guidance for people like Blake when it comes to accessing the opportunities they need to reintegrate with their community.

Before Blake was diagnosed at the age of 21 years with schizo-effective disorder, he had a good work history as a picture framer for seven years. However, periods of non-compliance with medication, and Blake’s acknowledged drug use significantly impacted his mental health. Over time, he experienced 16 involuntary admissions into psychiatric facilities. It was a ‘village’ of people on either side of the prison gate who helped Blake build his confidence and find purpose in his community once again.

At 49 years of age, Blake was finishing up his custodial sentence and looking to the future. Prior to this sentence, he had the good luck to find a psychiatrist who he connected with and for the first time was able to continue to comply with his medication in prison, and to successfully manage his mental health.

Blake was keen to work when he returned to community. While in prison, he was employed in the textile industry, and he thrived. Blake became more confident when dealing with people and over time earned more responsibility, becoming more self-assured.

It was at this time Blake became involved in the ReLink program. ReLink supports people leaving prison to build the life skills and confidence they need to successfully transition to managing life outside.

One of the first things ReLink assisted with was housing referrals. Fortunately, Blake was accepted into the Maribyrnong Community Reintegration Facility and secured accommodation for his parole period. This gave him the bonus of a case worker to be there for him upon release. On top of this good news, the psychiatrist who had been supporting Blake prior to prison, advised that he was happy to re-engage with Blake post-release. Collectively, this meant that Blake would exit prison with accommodation waiting for him, a case worker to support him in the community, and the consistent care of his psychiatrist.

While participating in Relink, Blake successfully completed 14 modules of the program. During this time, the ReLink worker liaised with Blake’s father via phone calls and emails. Both of Blake’s parents have been incredibly supportive of him, and it was his dad who actively contributed to Blake’s reintegration preparation.

With people around him, supporting his goals for life post-release, Blake obtained his White Card as well as a Stop and Go Certificate, and has plans to earn a Bobcat, Excavator, and Forklift license. When social enterprise, Fruit2Work, was scheduled to attend Blake’s location to talk about employment opportunities in the community, the ReLink worker encouraged Blake to check it out.

Blake was immediately interested and found the confidence to speak with the Fruit2Work representative. The Fruit2Work team member encouraged Blake to utilise ReLink to help him go through the application and interview process, which he did. Not long after, Blake attended an interview with Fruit2Work via video link. This resulted in Blake securing a position with them once his parole was approved.

Having access to safe housing, the right mental health support, and meaningful employment helped Blake to develop the confidence he needed to manage his life, and Blake saw value and hope for his future.

About one month after Blake returned home, his father emailed ReLink with an update. Blake was doing well, he was confident and managing his health, employment, and relationships. Blake has reconnected with his partner and their 12-year-old son and is taking steps to resuming a relationship with his younger son who is living in Queensland.

All in all, Blake’s father said he was impressed with where Blake was at and was proud at how far Blake had come as a person. Ultimately, Blake is the one who took responsibility for his new beginning. However, it was a ‘village’ of people who provided Blake with the resources he needed to do so.

Support our Work