UBank has released ‘Home Truths’, a new project that has kicked off today with a poignant short film that enlists terminally ill people to give some tips on real estate, namely what it’s all worth and how we view the traditional ‘Australian Dream’ of the house with a picket fence and fancy car in the driveway.

As part of this project, UBank, The Monkeys and Pulse Communications worked with Palliative Care Australia to seek advice and help find the six people featured in the film – sharing the perspective of a group in our community not often voiced in mainstream media.

The film, ‘Real Estate Tips from the Terminally Ill’, sees UBank ask six terminally ill patients to share their thoughts on what’s truly most valuable in life, with the aim to encourage all Australians to make positive changes and to define their own ‘Australian Dream’.

 

“When UBank approached us with this concept we immediately liked it because the project gives a voice to the people we advocate for day in and day out – and that’s not an opportunity they often receive,” said Liz Callaghan, CEO of Palliative Care Australia.

“We hope it inspires Australians to make changes for the better.”

Bronnie Ware, a former palliative carer and author of Five Regrets of the Dying, said the advice shared in the film resonated with her after years of caring for the terminally ill.

“I’ve never had someone nearing the end of life tell me they wished they’d had a bigger home. It’s always about spending more time with friends and family, and being bold enough to follow your dreams,” she said.

The theme of the film is centred on finances and how a bigger house can often lead to more stress, not a better life. Australians have some of the biggest houses in the world and the largest mortgages to match. We also work some of the longest hours and give a huge percentage of our salaries just to meet the repayments.

But is this the life we want to be living?

UBank’s ambition is to have more customers with smaller home loans that comfortably fit their lifestyle, rather than less customers with big debt that are overstretched trying to pay off their loan.

UBank CEO Lee Hatton said, “We are seeing too many people working hard to pay off a home they barely spend any time in, and making difficult compromises rather than enjoying their lives. Our belief is that by borrowing less, you can have a bigger life.”

UBank commissioned research that uncovered more than half of Australian mortgage holders (58 per cent) are putting work over family due to financial strain. This pressure also impacts on the amount of time people can spend in their homes with almost two in three (64 per cent), wishing they could spend more time in their home.

The Monkeys co-founder and ECD, Scott Nowell, said, “This film calls on the unique clarity and wisdom of people living with terminal illness to force us to rethink what’s really important in our lives. It’s confronting but valuable to ask yourself what the ‘Australian Dream’ actually costs in terms of stress and most importantly, time with your friends and family.”

The Home Truths campaign was planned and bought by Bohemia. The film ‘Real Estate Tips from the Terminally Ill’ is set to air across TV and social and is supported by digital banner ads and behind-the- scenes videos explaining why the interviewees got involved.

The project kicked off with PR, led by Pulse Communications, with an appearance on Channel 7’s Sunrise by Bronnie Ware, a former palliative carer and author of Five Regrets of the Dying.