She was volunteering at Wellbeing Wendouree when it “slipped” to her boss that she “had no where to go”.
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Her boss said he had a friend who had a caravan that she could live in and he gave her blankets.
“I volunteered then to keep my mind off things,” said Steffi Patience.
“I did a lot of volunteer work while being homeless for two years.”
“For a while I couch surfed.”
Ms Patience had already started volunteering before she became homeless.
But she continued to volunteer while homeless, and still continues to volunteer because “it gives me a reason to get up in the mornings and it gives me something to focus on,” said Ms Patience.
“I had a tough upbringing,” said Ms Patience, “I like to think when volunteering, ‘what would have young Steffi liked to have help with’.”
She lived with her Mum and Nan growing up.
“My Mum has mental illness,” which is why she is interested in volunteering in youth and mental illness, as well as other areas.
She said that volunteering also helps take her mind off her post traumatic stress disorder.
“It’s a way to keep busy” and to give back to people.
Ms Patience started volunteering for Survivors of Suicide (SOS) in 2014.
Ms Patience says she became even more interested in volunteering for SOS after her own struggles with mental health.
Since 2014 Ms Price has volunteered at other organisations, including Wellbeing Wendouree and the Grampians Music Festival, as well as continuing to volunteer at SOS.
“I take pride in my work and the things I do”.
In recognition of her volunteer work, the 24-year-old has been announced as a finalist for Victoria Young Achiever Awards in the category of Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria Regional and Rural Award.
“I don’t know who nominated me,” said Ms Patience, “but it is an honor to be nominated”.
Ms Patience recently helped raise $200 for WaterAid through the Water Challenge.
She also organised a fundraiser to start a clothing and blanket drive and provides mentoring to disadvantaged youth.
Ms Patience is studying a diploma in mental health, with the aim of one day becoming a youth worker.
She also has a book that’s about to be published called ‘The Unexpected’ which is a young adult, short drama.
The awards night will be held on the 18th of May.
For help or information contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
