Meet Elizabeth

A new start, in a new community, supported by Dress for Success Tasmania

Elizabeth Blake lives in Herdsman Cove in Tasmania and has two children, aged 17 and 22. She’s an active contributor to her local community, volunteering her time each Christmas to set up a display for local families to come along and have a family photo with Santa at no cost.

Following a family violence experience, she found herself in a new suburb, with little to no connections and was feeling isolated. She discovered a program being offered through her local community house, which ultimately led her to Dress for Success. She came to Dress for Success for an outfit to wear to her graduation from the program she had been participating in.

Leading up to her appointment with Dress for Success she really wasn’t sure what to expect, she was nervous about stepping outside her comfort zone. After walking through the doors of the Hobart Boutique she knew there was no need for concern, the volunteers made her feel relaxed and at home.

“Everyone was so nice and I didn’t feel bad if I didn’t like something….they would just find something else and made me feel so confident”

Elizabeth shared with us after her appointment that it was rare for her to have time to focus on her, she very rarely had the opportunity to go shopping.

“It was so lovely to have some ‘me time’ – to feel good about myself… which is something that is hard to do sometimes”

“The most memorable part of the experience for me was showing everyone my outfit and having them give me compliments of how good and different I looked….it definitely boosted my confidence”

Without the support and styling provided at Dress for Success, Elizabeth said she wouldn’t have had anything appropriate to wear to her graduation.

“I felt so much better wearing something that was appropriate for the occasion.”