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THE HOMELESSNESS AND housing crisis in Ireland has continued this year.
Emergency accommodation figures for October show that 8,737 people were in emergency accommodation, including 6,095 adults and 2,642 children.
With those figures in mind, as Christmas is fast approaching many charities and organisations will be going the extra mile to make sure people who find themselves homeless this Christmas will have a warm meal to eat and a bed for the night, at the very least.
However, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions in place, many ways charities receive help from the public in the lead up to Christmas won’t be possible this year.
So, we got in touch with some of them to find out practical ways to help people who are homeless over the next few weeks, while being mindful of Covid-19 and the guidelines surrounding the virus.
Volunteer:
Depaul’s volunteer activities have been impacted greatly with Covid-19. However, we hope to get back to some degree of normality before too long, and we are actively exploring ways in which volunteers can get involved remotely, so please get in touch to see how you can get involved.
Business support:
There are many ways businesses can support those experiencing homelessness at Christmas. You can hold a Christmas jumper day or host a virtual quiz.
Christmas gifts:
To help families prepare for Christmas, toys are always welcome, including gifts for older children and teenagers. Parents are always appreciative of this support as it eases the pressure on families at this time of year.
The items below would make a difference to people all across Peter McVerry Trust services: Towels, makeup, sanitary products, rain jackets, cups and mugs, cutlery, chocolate and sweets, pyjamas for people going into hospital, slippers, well-dated food like crackers, crisps, etc, board games, decorations.
Additionally, One4All vouchers are a great gift to receive as they empower those in receipt of a voucher to make their own choices.
Fundraising:
In complying with the government’s public health guidelines, Peter McVerry Trust has seen a number of adaptive fundraisers set up in support of the charity over the past nine months. Virtual walks, runs and cycles ensure protection against groups gathering, while still setting a challenge for those involved and an opportunity to engage in exercise during restrictions.
For employers foregoing a Christmas party this year, the celebratory budget would make a much-appreciated and generous donation to a charity, or a number of charities, this Christmas.
In a year when we’ve been asked to stay apart, a Christmas card is an ideal way to stay in touch. Peter McVerry Trust is selling Christmas cards through its shop. All proceeds for the sale of its cards goes directly towards supporting people in homelessness this year.
Support and prevention:
If you see someone who is experiencing homelessness, contact your local Simon Community. If you know someone who is struggling with their housing situation, please encourage them to contact their local Simon Community, our door is always open.
Speak out:
Through your support we can continue to highlight the important changes that need to be made to prevent homelessness. Campaigning is a very important part of our work and we are committed to keeping the issue on the political agenda.
Everyone can ask their local representative, whether they be a councillor, senator, MEP or TD, what their party’s solutions are to solving the homelessness and housing crisis.
Smile:
Some people will be begging in the streets at some point over the festive season. Please give a friendly smile (even with a mask on, people know your eyes are smiling), acknowledge the person who is sitting in the street and if you have time to stop, say hello.
Start a conversation about safe alcohol and drug use:
At Ana Liffey Drug Project, sadly, we have known too many people to die from an overdose over the festive season. Our top tips for keeping yourself safe this Christmas are:
- Talk with friends and family. Start a conversation about alcohol and drug use in general, and about how to reduce harms.
- If people are planning to use drugs, remind them that: It is always safer not to take drugs at all.
If you decide to use drugs, remember:
- When buying, know your source and avoid using alone.
- Use one drug at a time and avoid mixing drugs, including alcohol.
- Start with a small test dose and leave at least two hours between use.
- Educate yourself and others, for more information click here.
As always, remember to follow public health guidelines – wash your hands, wear a face covering, cover coughs and sneezes, and practice social distancing.
Harm reduction works, and giving someone harm reduction information at Christmas can help them reduce the risk of overdose and keep them #SafeFromHarm.
Dublin Region Homeless Executive has an online system whereby people can report the location of a rough sleeper in the capital. This reporting system can be found here.
Details for reporting rough sleepers in other counties around the country can be found here.
For more information about the above charities, see here:
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How about we vote in better leaders. With the interests of the country at heart. That would help a lot!
@Dave Thomas: The idea that constantly changing leaders will result in big change is a fallacy. Most politicians in this country are the same. If we don’t have stability how can the problem be solved, instead of passed around each party blaming the other.
@Dave Thomas: run for election so! If you’re not part of the problem, how about stand up and become the solution? Instead of fake internet points.
ana liffey are telling us to talk to strangers, drug addicts during a pandemic, i would not engage with them in the best of times. people are trained to do that. what if they attack you with a syringe….not good advice Ana.
@michael macken: Anna Liffey aren’t targeting people like you with their advice.
The advice is for people who care about the homeless.
@michael macken: the type that would attack you with a syringe would attack you with anything. There are bad seeds in all walks of life. Its not something addicts do as par for the course. You can find decent peer reviewed articles on Google scholar about addiction. Education is key. You may find you stop posting silly ill informed statements like that when you have more knowledge on the subject. Just an idea.
@michael macken: I’m so saddened to read your comments. People are people and they deserve the respect you would show to others unless they do something to you. A kind word goes along way, we are all only a few paycheques away from homelessness. We have no right to judge as we have no idea what has happened in a persons life. Happy Christmas to you.
@michael macken: Too trus. There’s a homeless guy, he hangs around North Earl Street/Henry Street. This dude is aggressive, you’ve no change! he doesn’t care and wants you to go to the ATM to take out cash. This guy is a big imitating lad, thankfully he’s only bothered my girlfriend when I’ve been around. He’s a real problem.
The simon community are liars. Their door is NOT always open.
I was homeless this time last year. I reached out to them for help and was turned away. Told I wasnt in enough trouble to be in need of their help!
I was a 30s female, with no kids, and not pregnant. I didnt have any dependency issues – no drinking, drugs, gambling etc. Didnt even smoke. I’m decently educated, and well spoken. A very polite person. I just happened to end up in a situation where I was homeless.
But.. because of being a very clean person, in terms of habits, and because I didnt have a brace of children hanging off me.. they didnt give a toss.
I’m not saying those people dont need help. But font turn around and tell a homeless woman that she doesnt need help just because shes not an addict or a mother. Shes still homeless.
I even asked if I could go in to use the bathroom and was told no.
@Mirabelle Stonegate: Thankfully you are not in that situation anymore, extremely stressful. The welfare system needs an overhaul, like most governmental institutions generally poorly run by bad leadership
Practical way to help those who depend on others for a home …..
Sign the petition to “Get the Referendum DONE!”
https://www.change.org/p/irish-referendum-on-family-home-special-status
Parents should take a particularly keen interest in this petition to avoid their kids being trapped in Rental accommodation, paying other peoples mortgages.
have your say