Sally’s life was marked by hardship from an early age. She left school at just 14, pregnant and with limited support. For years, she worked in cleaning jobs, raised five children, and survived a series of abusive relationships. With minimal education and no formal qualifications, she believed her opportunities were limited to what she had always known.

But something inside her—strength, empathy, and creativity—told her she was capable of more.

While engaged in a mental health support program, Sally expressed an interest in helping other women escape the cycle of violence. She also had a talent for Scrapbooking, often pairing her creations with heartfelt messages and quotes that offered comfort and encouragement.

When Sally joined the MW Learning Centre, her literacy development plan was tailored around what mattered most to her. She began teaching Scrapbooking workshops to other women who had experienced trauma, creating a safe, creative space for healing. These sessions grew into circles of support, where women could share, learn, and build confidence together.

At the same time, Sally worked through the Teach2Learn Pre-Vocational workbooks in Community Services Work, strengthening her reading, writing, and communication skills in a field that resonated deeply with her own life experience.

As her confidence grew, so did her leadership. Sally began providing one-on-one peer support, facilitating group discussions on self-esteem, resilience, and how to stand up for oneself. Her trainers recognised her natural ability and encouraged her to enrol in a Certificate IV in Community Services.

For her work experience, she joined a program supporting survivors of domestic violence—a role that not only suited her but reflected how far she had come.

Today, Sally works casually as a counsellor, using her story to guide and uplift others who are beginning their own journeys of recovery and self-discovery. And yes—she’s still teaching Scrapbooking, still helping women find their voice, and still reminding others that healing and hope are always possible.

Sally’s journey is a moving reminder that education doesn’t always start in a classroom, and that lived experience can be the foundation for powerful, life-changing work.