Leonie never thought the Roy Orbison song Oh, Pretty Woman would become synonymous with her journey of transformation. That was until AnglicareSA Thread Together volunteers sang the song in celebration as she stepped out of our clothing hub with a new wardrobe in hand, ready for a fresh start.

“I felt like Julia Roberts in the movie Pretty Woman,” she said.

“I looked in the mirror, and for the first time in 20 years, I felt beautiful.”

Leonie’s journey

Leonie’s visit to AnglicareSA’s Thread Together clothing hub came about after she enrolled in the non-profit organisation GOGO Foundation’s Inclusive Work Program (IWP), a nine-week small group program for women to overcome personal barriers to housing, health, and employment.

As part of the program and embracing a new start, the women are invited to Thread Together to pick out a few outfits.

Leonie said that after years of struggling with depression and dealing with personal drama, clothes were an afterthought.

“After my kids grew up and left my care, I found myself with nothing, and I became depressed for three years,” Leonie said. “I put a lot of weight on, and I didn’t want to do anything – leave the house, talk to anybody, deal with personal stuff.” Leonie said she had noticed a change within herself after working through her trauma with the GOGO Foundation and was excited to pick out new clothes at Thread Together.

“The clothes I had reminded me of the old me and stirred up negative feelings about myself and what they represent, almost like baggage,” Leonie said.

“Getting new clothes to put on the new version of me was like a transformation.”

With the support of Thread Together volunteers, Leonie picked out dresses, shoes, handbags, and accessories that suited her personal style.

She said the clothing was more than just fabric – it had helped her reclaim her dignity, pride, and confidence.

 

 

“The clothing kick-started a new beginning,” she said.

“When I wear one of my new outfits on the bus, I feel like I belong in society.

“I feel good in what I wear and carry myself differently. It’s completely changing me.

“Before, I was just existing – now I am living.”

AnglicareSA Thread Together Program Coordinator, Leanne Beazley, said Leonie’s experience reaffirmed the power clothes had on our self-confidence.

“I love seeing the transformation people have when they walk out of Thread Together – they just glow,” Leanne said.

“With Leonie, she was glowing after her visit, and her comment about feeling beautiful has stuck with me ever since, and I can repeat it word for word.”

 

What is Thread Together?

AnglicareSA partners with Thread Together to provide South Australians in need with brand-new clothes that would otherwise end up in landfill.

People can be referred to our clothing hub for a shopping experience like Leonie’s through their case worker. Our Thread Together mobile wardrobe vans also extend this support to people around South Australia.

In the last financial year, AnglicareSA’s Thread Together service provided clothes to more than 5,000 South Australians.

 

Support Thread Together

The Thread Together program depends on the generosity of donors and volunteers to continue its support of South Australians experiencing hardship. To help keep this volunteer-run service available, you can donate funds here or volunteer as a driver or stylist.