How a chance encounter helped me find a sense of home
Hi, I’m Claire.
Welcome to Space2b’s new blog, Our Stories: Tales from Proximity and Beyond – a place to hear the stories of people, like me, who’ve moved here from overseas, and to discover how Space2b has helped them find their way.
I arrived in Australia just over a year ago with my partner and our nine-year-old. In our first week, I stumbled across Space2b when visiting the school across the road. Pulled in by the gorgeous colours, I was greeted warmly by the staff. I loved everything I saw, it was like being a child in a sweet shop!
Nevertheless – being British – I was slightly suspicious. Why was everyone so friendly? People back home aren’t this nice! But, despite my scepticism, I liked it. I bought a chopping board made by Stix, one of the many artisans who sell through the shop. At the time we were subleasing a place nearby, surrounded by other people’s belongings, and that chopping board became the first thing that truly felt like ours – a small, beautiful symbol that represented home.
In the weeks and months that followed, all my energy went into settling our family. I was incredibly fortunate: I already held Australian citizenship, spoke English, had savings, and friends nearby.
But even with all that privilege, it was still so hard! Harder than I could possibly have imagined. I felt like I was drowning in endless confusion and life admin. All the little frictions added up – even trying to do something as simple as buying tea bags (essential for a Brit overseas!) felt challenging in unfamiliar supermarkets. Where to find a lunchbox? How to see a GP? A year on and now, to borrow some Aussie lingo, such things are too easy, but back then even the smallest daily tasks flummoxed me.
The experience was very humbling. I thought often about the many people who arrive here with far fewer advantages. And, aware of the role Space2b plays in helping people find their feet and community, I knew I wanted to get involved.
Well, it only took a year! What can I say? Some transitions can’t be rushed. But here I am, finally settled enough to volunteer, and delighted to be writing this. Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing stories of the people and projects that make up Space2b, and how they’ve shaped one another.
I hope you’ll join us on this journey – stories of those who have settled nearby but may come from far away; stories of connection, belonging, and the many small ways we find our sense of home.