Ep.4. Healthcare at the Margins — Pregnant, Homeless, and Finding Hope | with Allison Sawyer

Most women who are pregnant and sleeping rough will have their baby removed within days of the birth.Close to 10,000 people were experiencing homelessness in Western Australia at the last census, and Homeless Healthcare believes the real number is higher. Around 1,000 are sleeping rough in Perth on any given night, and the number of women is rising, driven by the cost of housing and by rates of family and domestic violence. For a pregnant woman in that situation, the fear of losing her baby is often enough to keep her away from the services that could help her.In this episode, Alicia Curtis sits down with Alison Sayer, CEO of Homeless Healthcare, to talk about the Together Program and what changed when 100 Women funded extra hours for a dedicated street outreach nurse.Alison talks through what 155 referrals in under two years actually looks like on the ground, why the first 1,000 days of a child's life shape outcomes that can last generations, and the story of Annie, pregnant with her fifth child after losing custody of her first four.This is what care looks like when it goes to where people are homeless.IN THIS EPISODEWhy Western Australia has the highest rate of rough sleeping in the country, and why the 2021 census figure likely understates the real scaleThe two forces driving the rise in homelessness among women: the cost of living and housing crisis, and rising family and domestic violenceWhy pregnant women experiencing homelessness often hide their pregnancy from services, and how that connects to the risk of a baby being removed at birthInside the Together Program: the four housing units run with Uniting WA, and the outreach nurse working to re-engage women the health system has lostWhat sits behind 155 referrals in under two years, and where they come fromThe research behind the "first 1,000 days," and why stabilising mum changes outcomes for the babyAnnie's story: five pregnancies, four children in state care, and what changed with the fifthWhy philanthropic funding let Homeless Healthcare pilot a service that traditional grant funding wouldn't have backedIN THIS EPISODEGUESTAlison Sayer, CEO of Homeless Healthcare. Alison’s career spans the commercial sector and community leadership. She has been part of Homeless Healthcare since 2012 and stepped into the CEO role in 2023. She also sits on the committee of Impact 100 WA, which means she knows what it feels like to be on both sides of a grant application, seeking funding for vital services, and deciding where philanthropic dollars can do the most good.HOSTAlicia Curtis, Co-Founder, 100 Women. Co-founder of the organisation since 2013 and host of Community Kind.ABOUT 100 WOMEN100 Women is a national giving community with a global reach. Members across Australia contribute from $300 a year. Together, that becomes $200,000 or more each year, granted directly to grassroots organisations supporting women and girls in health, education, safety, and economic opportunity, here in Australia and around the world. Every member gets a vote on where the money goes. Since 2014, 100 Women has funded 49 projects and gifted more than $1.69 million to women and girls in need.BECOME A MEMBEREvery member gets a vote, and you have just heard what one of those votes made possible. If you would like to be part of it, we would love to have you. Find out more at 100women.org.auSUPPORT Homeless Healthcare  To help or find out more about Homeless Healthcare visit their website - Donations — Homeless Healthcare SUPPORT CONNECT WITH USWebsite: 100women.org.au Instagram: @100womenaus LinkedIn: 100 Women We acknowledge that this podcast is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar in Boorloo (Perth), Western Australia. We pay our respects to Noongar Elders past and present, and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for and shared knowledge on this Country for tens of thousands of years, and that these connections remain strong today.Community Kind is produced by Linette Devigan.Hosted by Alicia Curtis and Karen Brittain.Filmed and edited by Olivia Spear, Silver Key Films.Recorded at The Pod @ Kaizen West, Perth.