After driving 5,000 kilometres across the country to flee domestic violence, Sue (whose name has been changed to protect her privacy) is now living safely in south-west Western Australia.
The 52-year-old survivor, who has two jobs and a place to call home, is volunteering with the not-for-profit organisation that helped her get back on her feet.
Doors Wide Open is a peer-led support service based in the city of Bunbury that works with people recovering from and impacted by addiction, as well as those in need of emergency housing or food relief.
When Sue arrived at Doors Wide Open a few months ago, she struggled to contain her emotions after enduring her long escape.
"As soon as I walked in the door I just bawled and I was given the biggest hug and they just let me bawl until I stopped, which was a while," she said.
"These guys helped me straight away and I ended up being put in a two-man tent which they supplied for a spot in a caravan park and it was beautiful.
"And if it hadn't been for them, I don't know where I'd be."
Sometimes all you need is a hug
Michelle Holzknecht is the Doors Wide Open acting manager and peer support worker and says a long hug is always the best way to start when someone new arrives at the facility.
"They just need a hug sometimes because they're really at their wit's end," she said.
"They don't know what they need, what they want, why they are here or what we do.
"We have coffee, sit down with them and then work out what they're looking for."
Despite all she had endured and a very damp first night in her tent as it flooded, Sue has found a cabin with ocean views to call home, thanks to assistance from Doors Wide Open.
"Anybody is welcome here, you're not judged here at all. They don't look down at you and go, 'Oh my god, how do you get yourself in this situation?'" Sue said.
"That's why I volunteer for them now, just to pay it forward … this is the least I can do.
"And I've made some really good friends that I've continued to be friends with from this place."
Funding and food on the charity's wishlist
Housing stress in particular has seen a steady stream of new and returning people visit the Doors Wide Open service in recent months and the non-perishable food pantry was particularly low during the Christmas period.
Volunteer recruiter and administration assistant Bonnie Ellen says community donations help to bolster stock along with Australian food charity SecondBite.
"We have fresh fruit produce and bread that we get three times a week, but we always need more non-perishables," she said.
"We have a list on our Facebook page that details the food we need at the moment and other things like sleeping equipment.
"Even volunteers, if you want to come in and say hi and see what we're all about, we're always here smiling."
Doors Wide Open was established in 2016 but Ms Holzknecht says there are fears the organisation will have to close next year as it struggles to secure funding.
"Our money situation is very tight … so as much as we would love to give more, we don't have the funds to do that," she said.
"We've always relied on donations, big donations, small donations – it doesn't matter.
"I hope that the community will rally to try to keep it open, because if we close it's going to leave a big hole in not just in the community, but with the other agencies that say to those that need help 'go down and see Doors'.
"I'm pretty sure we're safe for six months or so but I'll be fighting and I know our peer support workers and our board will be right behind me."
For now, people like Sue will still be receiving help in whatever way Ms Holzknecht and her team can provide.
"To see her smiling and living safe after what she left is amazing," Ms Holzknecht said.
"It makes you feel good and for her to keep coming back … it brightens your day when she walks in.
"She's been through hell and back and either had to laugh or cry, so she chose to laugh and she's laughed every day since I think."
