Can you give us an overview of the Dublin Simon Community and its mission?

Dublin Simon Community works to prevent and address homelessness in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan. We provide services at all stages of homelessness and enable people to move to a place they can call home. We support thousands of individuals and families each year through these wraparound services.

Our Mission is - As a community we support people to exit homelessness, access and retain homes, and rebuild lives by delivering housing, health and wellbeing services.

How does the Dublin Simon Community address homelessness in Dublin and the surrounding areas?

Dublin Simon addresses homelessness through a variety of housing, health & wellbeing services:

1. Tenancy Sustainment: Homeless Prevention Dublin Simon Community’s tenancy sustainment teams operate a variety of supports and services including, prevention, settlement, outreach and shared housing. Our teams support people with every aspect of finding and moving into a tenancy, managing their current tenancy or moving to a new tenancy should their existing one be inappropriate to their needs.
   
   
2. Outreach: This is an intensive and assertive service that engages with adults who are rough sleeping in the Dublin Region. We work to support clients into short term homeless accommodation, and make appropriate referrals to permanent housing options, with direct referral into the Housing First National Program. Outreach also ensures that people experiencing rough sleeping are linked with other appropriate housing and health services to prevent further rough sleeping. This Service runs 365 days a year in all weather!
   
   
3. Emergency Accommodation: All our emergency services are provided on a low threshold basis with a harm reduction model and a full suite of services for clients. The aim of our emergency services is to support our residents to move on into and sustain long term accommodation. We have several measures in place to ensure a quality, wraparound support service is provided to enable people to move out of homelessness. All our Supported Temporary Accommodation clients have access to key working, rapid access to Primary Care Nursing team, counselling and referrals to both internal and external supportive structures.
   
   
4. Long Term Supported Housing: Dublin Simon Community provide high and medium supported housing for men and women who have experienced homelessness and are unable to live independently. Dublin Simon has seven Long Term Accommodation services. Three are High Support Needs, providing meals on site, rapid access to Primary Care Nursing, and work with the highest level of need and complex care. The remaining four are medium support housing, these are semi-independent, with staff on site seven days a week but not overnight. All of our clients in Long Term Accommodation receive care and case management, key working and direct access to internal and external referrals for addiction, health, mental health and supportive needs. We also hold drop-in clinics on site for counselling with our sure steps service.
   
   
5. Independent Housing: As an Approved Housing Body we deliver permanent homes to individuals and families to exit homelessness and live independently.
   
   
6. Clinical and Therapeutic Services: We provide a range of homeless-specific health and addiction treatment services. - Detox - Recovery - Aftercare - Step up Step Down (intermediate care) - Counselling - Blood borne virus unit - Primary Care support service.
   
   
7. Client Development: We believe meaningful activities are central to providing structure, purpose, wellbeing, intellectual stimulation, self-esteem and independence to people using our services. The purpose of this team and their work is to provide education, training, employment skills and employability with some personal development services for the clients of the organisation. These services range form health and wellbeing, writing skills and literacy classes and client involvement in our events.
   
   
8. Research, Policy & Advocacy: This team continues to ensure our client, resident and staff voices are heard at Government and sectoral level, as they carefully collected first-hand experiences across the organisation, and ensured these were represented across policy and decision-making.

In 2024, we released a research report with a targeted focus on vacant above the shop units could provide a new source of housing in Ireland, revitalise urban locations and effectively conserve heritage buildings across Ireland . The ground-breaking research report titled, “The Opportunities and Challenges of Vacant ‘Above the Shop’ Units (VATSUs) for Residential Use in Ireland” delves into the opportunities, processes, and complexities of repurposing vacant units above commercial properties for residential use, particularly for social housing. The research was delivered in a collaboration between Dublin Simon Community and Dr Kathleen Stokes of Dublin City University (previously the University of Galway), and was funded by the Housing Agency under their Research Support Programme.

Could you share some success stories from individuals or families who have benefited from your services?

Sucess story 1:

Our outreach team recently worked on a case involving couple who were rough sleeping in Dublin. Local Gardaí notified the team that the woman had reported she was being both physically and sexually abused by her partner but was not willing to flee the situation out of fear and coercive control. Once engaged, the team began to carry out welfare checks on a daily basis. As the woman was afraid to share any information while her partner was around they set up exclusive check-ins and GP visits with her to create a safe environment in which she felt comfortable to confide. Over time, the woman began open up and requested to be booked into separate emergency accommodation away from her partner. The team advocated for her and managed to secure a private room in a women's only hostel. Now safe, the woman is accessing Dublin Simon services to address her complex mental and physical needs.

Success Story 2:

Dublin Simon Community client quote: “I found the Simon Community because I had to go into recovery to recover from 20 years of using drugs - hard drugs. I end up homeless, I ended up living on the streets, and that just kind of snowballed for years - for a lot of years. I was depressed because of my situation, but I knew I needed to build confidence to help me give me determination and drive to keep going with this. So Client Development sounded like exactly what I needed. It was being introduced to social settings that I would have never been, in my mind capable of. So then it was like a snowball effect in the opposite way to what it was. Building my self-worth, you know, self -belief. I applied to College. I done a year in the Liberties College. I then applied for the Trinity Access programme, and said I’m going to study business and law in Trinity. I’m absolutely chuffed with the progress I’ve made. It’s been hard. It’s not been easy. I had to go after it. It’s a sense of I’m actually worthwhile of being sitting in this chair. And I deserve as much as a chance as anyone else.”

How important is the role of volunteers in your organisation, and what kinds of opportunities are available for those interested in volunteering?

Volunteers are extremely important to our organisation - we would not function without them. We have an extensive full-time volunteering programme here in the Dublin Simon Community. Currently the Dublin Simon Community have up to 60 full-time volunteer placements throughout our Housing, Emergency, Treatment and Support Services.

The approach to full-time volunteering has an emphasis on reflective practice and both formal and non-formal learning. We also have part-time volunteers and ad-hoc volunteers with our corporate partners who get involved with particular projects or activities throughout the year. Organisations can reach out to us to learn more about volunteering with us by emailing: partnerships@dubsimon.ie

What impact has the "Food for Simon" initiative had on the community, and how does it help in your overall mission?

Established in 2009, Food for Simon (FFS) was founded to provide a reliable source of essential food items for Dublin Simon Community's services, aiming to reduce the expenses associated with food procurement. Over the past 12 years, FFS has not only improved food access for individuals utilising our services - from those experiencing homelessness to individuals and families in more permanent accommodations - but has also saved the organisation millions of euros.

FFS's program annually supplies 360,000 meals and distributes over 2,200 food parcels through our Outreach service. Ensuring food safety remains a top priority. At Dublin Simon Community, FFS provides approximately 1,000 meals daily to individuals in vulnerable circumstances residing in emergency accommodation, supported housing, treatment, and outreach services. We receive various donations from supporters, including frozen products, toiletries, and food items with a shelf life of at least four weeks.

The impact of FFS extends beyond cost savings. For our clients, consistent access to nutritious food contributes to improved health and well-being, fostering a sense of stability and dignity. Our staff and volunteers are motivated by the direct, positive effect their work has on the lives of those we serve, creating a fulfilling and supportive work environment If your organisation would like to partner with us on surplus stock or waste reduction please contact us at FoodForSimon@dubsimon.ie

How do partnerships, like the one with the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards, contribute to your efforts in tackling homelessness?

Dublin Simon relies heavily on partnerships within the business community as it allows us to spread awareness of our services and the homeless and housing crisis we are entrenched in. We would not be in the position to operate our services at the required level without the support of our partners.

We are consistently in need of many types of supports, such as monetary donations and gift in kind donations such as surplus stock of food, drinks, clothing, household items. We also partner with corporates for employee engagement and volunteering opportunities. Our corporate partnerships contribute greatly to our volunteering needs. All of these positive interactions allows Dublin Simon to raise awareness of our mission and services.

Can you describe the process and significance of redistributing surplus food from events like the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards to people in need?

The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards over the past 2 years has provided us with food items for our clients. We are delighted to partner again this year. The food items are redistributed to both with our street outreach team to support those who are rough sleeping, these items are important for the team to engage with the individual and provide them essential nutrition.

In 2023, over 2,200 food parcels were distributed through the Outreach team. For clients living in our emergency and accommodation, we provide approximately 1,000 meals per day across these services. Therefore, any cost savings through donated food is much needed and appreciated. The Irish Quality Food and Drink awards donations also provide a diverse and unique product range that our clients, they may not normally have access to. We have been lucky to receive items like burgers, biscuits, pasta dishes, desserts, to name a few. The clients are grateful for the treats and a change up to daily routine food items!

What challenges does Dublin Simon Community face in its mission to prevent and address homelessness, and how can the public help overcome these challenges?

We are grappling with the worst homelessness and housing crisis we have seen in our over 55 years of service provision as the rising cost of living and a shrinking rental market push more and more people into a situation they never thought they would be in. Since the last local elections in 2019, there has been a 43% increase in homelessness, a more grass-roots approach is now needed. We call on the public to make homelessness and housing the top issues at elections and when speaking with your local representative. Housing is now a collective crisis in this country, and it needs a collective solution. Dublin Simon welcomes the recommendations from the recently-published Housing Commission report which we believe provides a road map to housing solutions, if implemented.

Of course, continued donations will allow us to continue to operate our services to support some of the most vulnerable in our community. Visit  www.dubsimon.ie to find out more about us and view our annual impact reports.

How has the recent increase in homelessness figures in Dublin affected your services and the demand for your support?

The most significant issue from 2022 onwards is the housing shortage, which has acted as both a trigger for homelessness and a significant barrier to exit homeless services. Clients who are homeless but can live independently cannot find affordable housing so they remain in emergency or other forms of unsuitable housing for longer.

Our Housing Coordinator helps clients to find move on options once they are ready for independent living but the supply is incredibly low. This has extremely traumatic consequences for them. Also meaning these services are backed up and other clients in need of accessing the service and waiting longer. We are seeing more individuals and families entering homelessness for the first time, such as elderly long term renters, and that may require more complex support needs. Again, meaning clients are availing of services for longer periods than previously.

The latest homeless figures from April 2024 show 14,009 nationally and 10,216 in Dublin. These figures represent an increase of 14% nationally year-on-year. In Dublin the increase is 13% year-on-year. The Dublin total of 10,216 represents 1,445 families, 3,188 children, and 4,527 single adults.

Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon, expressed her dismay at the alarming statistics, stating, “Behind these numbers lie stories of heartbreak and struggle, and the daily and nightly routine of homelessness is starkly evident. The escalating trend of adults and children seeking emergency accommodation each day and night is untenable. Prolonged stays in emergency shelters strip away hope, leaving deep scars on mental and physical health. The impact on children is immeasurable, robbing them of their security and stability in some of their most important developmental years.”

What are some of the long-term goals of Dublin Simon Community?

To make home a reality for all, end homelessness and provide long term access to housing and to retain housing and rebuild lives by delivering housing, health and wellbeing services. We are due to open a new health & addiction care facility (Ushers Island) in Q3 this year.

Our specialist healthcare services will move into a newly developed building in Dublin city centre. This will allow Dublin Simon to expand our offering from 50 beds to 100 beds. We estimate to support approximately 800 people experiencing homelessness through these critical services each year in this new facility. We will continue our housing-led approach to expand our housing stock for individuals, couples & families to move them into a permanent suitable home and exit homelessness.

In what ways can businesses and individuals get involved or support your work beyond volunteering and donations to help you achieve those goals?

We heavily rely on businesses and individuals to donate & volunteer for us each year. These remain two key focuses for us and we are so thankful for those who support us. We would love for the community to create & share awareness of the systemic issues contributing to homeless and housing crisis. We ask those who can follow us on social media and re-share our content to spread the word further.

We share our campaigns & events throughout the year and look to grow our network of supporters so sign up to our newsletters and updates here: https://www.dubsimon.ie/email-subscription On the Saturday 5th of October we will host our annual fun run in the Phoenix park. It is an inclusive family friendly event. You can run, walk or jog the course or join us for some music, food and family entertainment.

What message would you like to send to the visitors to the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards website about the importance of community support in addressing homelessness?

Although the number of people experiencing homelessness in Dublin now equates to the national figure from 2 years ago and there are new people entering homelessness every day, we want to remind everyone that Dublin Simon Community is helping people to exit homelessness every day and preventing individuals and families from becoming homeless every day.

We see great stories every day in our services of people completing a detox programme, moving into their forever home or taking part in a peer activity. With your continued support, we will continue our mission to support those in vulnerable situations through our wraparound support services.

We aim for individuals to recognise and appreciate their sense of belonging within their own community, particularly as many experiencing homelessness often lack this feeling of belonging. ‘Community is an important concept for social change because it helps us to see that social change requires a change in some of the most important stories, we tell ourselves. Social change requires that we rewrite our communal narratives. Social change is change in community.’

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This year, our surplus food donations to Dublin Simon Community equated to approximately 3,917EUR. 

To find out more about Dublin Simon Community and how you can support them, visit: https://www.dubsimon.ie/