May 2025 Service Update >

QUICK EXIT
bys Logo
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Quality, Research & Innovation
  • How We Help
    • Crisis & Immediate Support
    • Housing
    • Health
    • Young Women
    • Family Support
    • Other Support
    • Young Peoples Stories
    • Our Impact
  • Work With Us
    • Employee Value Proposition
    • Employment Opportunties
    • Board Opportunities
    • Volunteering
    • Student Placements
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Partner with Us
    • Fundraise
    • Leave a Gift in Your Will
    • Youth Homelessness Matters Day
    • Daggy Jumper Day
  • News
    • All news
    • Publications
    • Homelessness & Young People – The Facts
    • Resources
  • Contact
    • Contact BYS
    • Need Help?
    • FAQ’s
    • Complaints and Compliments
  • Donate
  • Call Us

James

Do you need help?

Homeless, hopeless, and alone, with a physical disability affecting less than 1% of the population – James didn’t think there was reason to hope before coming to BYS.

I couldn’t trust anyone. I feared being used, hurt, or abandoned. I had to learn how to fight off muggers trying to steal what little money I had. That was my life. I was scared. As a child, I wanted to find somewhere I could belong. I lacked social skills and wasn’t drawn to hobbies or activities loved by everyone else. Fitting in wasn’t really an option.

Then came the day I was hit by a car, and everyone knew my name. When I woke up, weeks had passed, my right eye was blind, and my left hand was paralysed. I couldn’t find employers willing to hire me, and while my impaired motor functions weren’t severe enough to prevent me from driving, I had no way of getting my hours up on my own.

Fast-forward a few years, and I’m on the streets sleeping on park benches, eating whatever I could steal or whatever people had thrown out, smoking cigarettes to stay numb, and trying to hold onto hope.

After multiple share apartments with much older, abusive drug addicts, I made a friend who I didn’t realise was going through his own problems. The image of finding his body, and countless questions in my head of what I could have done to save him, still haunt me now.

Thoughts of suicide always crossed my mind. I have been taken to hospital many times by the police when I’ve attempted. “Who would miss me?” “What would anyone lose?” “I’m not good enough anyway,” were the thoughts that tempted me every day.

Until finding BYS, I didn’t think there was a reason to hope. But with their support now I’ve gotten a job, I live independently in a city apartment, I’ve been to counselling, social groups, doctor’s appointments, and I’ve received help with my cigarette and alcohol issues.

I was linked to Maddie from SYT who, before even meeting her, helped me get a washing machine and a dryer for my apartment. She has helped me with finances, Disability Support Pension, NDIS, driving lessons, and general housing support. Everything she helped with seemed too good to be true.

Everyone at BYS was a friend who helped me see that I can help things will be better and believe it. I still have a long way to go, but I’m closer now than I’ve ever been, and I will forever be thankful to BYS for that.

“Everyone at BYS was a friend who helped me see that I can hope things will be better and believe it. ”
Read more stories
Need help, have a question or
want to find us?
Contact Us
Stay up to date with our news and latest initiatives to see how we are creating new futures for young people.
Get Updates
© 2025 Brisbane Youth Service Privacy

Brisbane Youth Service respectfully acknowledges the Turrbal and Jagera people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands where BYS operates.

We pay respect to their Elders past and present, lores, customs and creation spirits. BYS acknowledges and celebrates the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play within BYS and the community.

View our Reconciliation Action Plan
© 2025 Brisbane Youth Service Privacy
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Quality, Research & Innovation
  • How We Help
    • Crisis & Immediate Support
    • Housing
    • Health
    • Young Women
    • Family Support
    • Other Support
    • Young Peoples Stories
    • Our Impact
  • Work With Us
    • Employee Value Proposition
    • Employment Opportunties
    • Board Opportunities
    • Volunteering
    • Student Placements
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Partner with Us
    • Fundraise
    • Leave a Gift in Your Will
    • Youth Homelessness Matters Day
    • Daggy Jumper Day
  • News
    • All news
    • Publications
    • Homelessness & Young People – The Facts
    • Resources
  • Contact
    • Contact BYS
    • Need Help?
    • FAQ’s
    • Complaints and Compliments
  • Donate
  • Call Us
📢 May 2025 service update

There continues to be very high demand for emergency accommodation for young people and young families in Brisbane. We are working hard to create more options, but many nights, all beds are at capacity.

🚶‍➡️May walk-in hours

📅 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
⏰ 1 – 4 pm

The Youth Support Centre is closed for the Labour Day holiday on 5 May and for staff training on Wednesday 14 May.

Appointments only during other opening hours

Our Intake and Brief Intervention team work very hard to support young people with immediate and emergency housing however options are extremely limited due to available emergency accommodation. Unfortunately, presenting or being directed to our service does not guarantee a place to stay. We understand this is frustrating, and we will do our best to support you. When you arrive, we’ll talk through your options, which may include housing if available. We may also provide food, transport, referrals, and other help that fits your needs.

📋 Working together to find solutions

We’re working with other organisations to better coordinate support in Brisbane and South-East Queensland. Adding your name to the Brisbane Zero By-Name List helps make your situation visible and keeps you a priority for housing. A youth worker can help you do this when you visit.