Brisbane North PHN supports the Live Like Her Challenge

More than 1,000 women over the age of 55 in greater Brisbane and an estimated 200 on the Gold Coast are currently experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Referred to as the hidden homeless, these women may be living in cars or couch surfing, as well as facing other challenges such as threats of violence.

Brisbane North PHN team members brought the workplace together in support of the Live Like Her Challenge, raising money and awareness for women over 55 experiencing homelessness through a series of activities that concluded with them sleeping in their cars for the challenge on 3 September 2026.

Led by the ‘PHuNsters 26’ team at the PHN, the initiative supports The Forgotten Women’s mission to provide safe, secure and affordable housing for older women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

This cause aligns with Brisbane North PHN’s vision of a community where good health is available to everyone, and our focus on addressing gaps and inequities for vulnerable cohorts, including people experiencing homelessness.

PHN team members Gai Lemon, Martina Connelly, Rachelle Foreman, Simonne Zanatta, Kristal Grainger, Gillian Kehoul and Jen Roush have led a workplace-wide effort to build understanding, encourage donations and create ways for colleagues to get involved.

Their fundraising included a series of soup lunches raising $964, a silent auction that raised $843 through donated items and generous bidding from colleagues, and the 3 September sleepout.

One standout effort has come from Jen Roush, who is one of Brisbane’s top fundraisers for the challenge having raised an incredible $21,000+ — more than 20 times her original fundraising goal of $1,000.

Collectively, the PHuNsters 26 team raised more than $25,000, reflecting the generosity of their family, friends and colleagues.

Every donation helps The Forgotten Women provide practical support and housing pathways for older women seeking safety, stability and dignity.

For Brisbane North PHN, the initiative is also a reminder that health is shaped by the conditions in which people live, with a safe home being foundational to wellbeing.

Without secure housing, it becomes harder to maintain physical and mental health, manage medication, attend appointments, stay connected to support networks or recover from crisis.

“By bringing the Live Like Her initiative into our workplace, the PHuNsters 26 team has helped make a hidden issue visible, and actively demonstrated the PHN’s values of collaboration, integrity and impact for a cause closely aligned with our purpose,” said PHN Executive Manager, Rachelle Foreman.

Congratulations to the team for their efforts!