New home makes Allan feel free as an eagle.
Allan, who lives in our new community housing in Wangaratta, is loving the freedom and independence his new home gives him.
He’s had a rough couple of years, suffering a heart attack in June 2023, experiencing a relationship breakdown, and then living in a caravan on his son’s property.
Allan says he is very grateful to his son for helping him out when he needed it, but says it feels great to have his own place.
“I have my freedom. I can come and go when I want. I can cook and eat when I want. Go to bed when I want.
“The location is great. I can walk to and from town and carry my groceries. My place is close to everything. I can play darts nearby or go to the Wangaratta Club and catch up with a few old fellas I know,” he says.
Freedom is something Allan values highly and this is reflected in his collection of eagle figurines spread throughout his apartment.
“I love eagles because they are free. I have 30 statues and a lot of pictures which I have yet to put up,” he says.
Allan has two great-nieces living in the same community housing apartments and knows many of the other residents.
“Recently the police came to do a welfare check on one of the other residents and people who knew me thought it might be for me, so they all started trying to get in contact. I feel safe here,” he said.
Following his heart attack, Allan is conscious of taking care of his wellbeing.
“I take life one day at a time. I still get puffed out, but I take it easy. I carry my medication with me and my alert badge. They had to revive me when I had a heart attack, so now I take every day as it comes,” he said.
Allan has previously helped his ex-mother-in-law access services through Uniting, so he already knew our local Community Housing Officer, Angela.
“The apartment was the first one I saw, and I liked it and took it right away. Uniting people are very helpful, kind and there for you if you need someone to talk to,” he said.
