Support without stigma – the non-clinical model of Dom’s Place

January 12, 2026

For people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, access to support often comes with barriers – formal settings, intake processes, and environments that can feel impersonal or intimidating. 

Unlike traditional service models, Dom’s Place is intentionally non-clinical. There are no sterile assessment rooms. People drop in for a meal, to talk, to play a game of pool, or to get support when they need it. That design isn’t just comforting – it’s strategic. For many who have been homeless, isolated, or let down by systems in the past, trust takes time. Dom’s Place gives people the freedom and safety to build that trust at their own pace.

Rick came to Dom’s Place after nearly a year of living in his car with his dog, Magic. “I’ve been coming to Dom’s Place for a few years now. When I first arrived, I was living in my car with my dog. They helped me find housing, and that changed everything.”

While support with housing and case management helped Rick find stability, it was the atmosphere of Dom’s Place that made it possible for him to stay connected and engaged, “I finally feel like a human being again.”

Rick had disengaged from previous services. Bec, Practice Manager Homelessness at CatholicCare, explains why Dom’s was different. “He said that the reason he disengaged was because he didn’t know if he could trust us in such a clinical environment. Because of the way Dom’s Place is set up with an open door policy, he instantly felt at ease.”

That ease created room for real progress. Rick attended the drug and alcohol support group at Dom’s, which he says made a huge difference. “The people running it were smart, kind and supportive – they used CBT, DBT, and mindfulness approaches that really helped.”

Though Rick no longer has a case manager at Dom’s, he still visits regularly. That ongoing contact keeps him focused. “I know they’ll always help me… when I speak to Bec, she makes sure I am heard and supported.”

That sense of ease and openness isn’t unique to Rick. 22 year old Jarrod is much newer to Dom’s Place, had a nearly identical experience when he first walked through the doors.

“I’ve been coming to Dom’s Place for about two months now. I found out about it from other homeless friends at the park,” Jarrod says. “I was nervous to come here for the first time, and I was surprised how cool it was. I thought it would be like a clinic. But it’s not like that at all … I get to play guitar, chat to people and eat.”

Like Rick, Jarrod had expectations shaped by past experiences – places that felt clinical, where support was available but difficult to access. What surprised him most was how different Dom’s Place felt – informal, inclusive, and built around community.

“There’s this stereotype of people who are homeless,” Jarrod explains. “But at Dom’s, nobody judges because everyone’s fighting their own battle: court stuff, kids, money issues ….”

For Melissa, Dom’s Place provides a sense of safety and connection that she doesn’t experience anywhere else. “I’ve faced discrimination and judgement my whole life but there is an innocent inquisitiveness of the people here. They ask me questions about who I am, which has touched my heart and filled a hole in my body.” 

Melissa currently has stable housing after a history of homelessness, but her small living space makes day-to-day life difficult. “My unit is tiny … I can’t do crafts or art at home, but at Dom’s I can sit and work on stuff.” 

Melissa played a major role in creating the Dom’s Place garden, a project that gave her a great sense of pride and purpose. “If I am ever lucky enough to get employment, I have had experience of fronting up somewhere every day,” Melissa says.

Doreen, another regular at Dom’s Place, sees the centre as part of her daily life. She is no longer homeless and now lives nearby with her granddaughter. She visits most days to help out and connect with others. 

“I love everything about Dom’s Place – the creativity, the art, the wellness vibes, and the staff are just wonderful.” 

What stands out most is how Dom’s Place has supported her granddaughter, who struggled to engage with mental health services in a traditional, clinical setting.

“The only way her granddaughter accepted psychology support was through us,” Bec explains. “She didn’t want to be in a clinical setting, so the psychologist came here to see her; we were a place where she felt comfortable.”

Dom’s Place works because it was built around people, rather than systems. By creating an environment that feels safe, people access the support they need when they might otherwise walk away from it altogether. 

For more information please phone 1800 324 924, email info@catholiccaredbg.org.au or visit www.catholiccaredbb.org.au.