33% increase in people helped by Cork Simon
Cork Simon saw a 33 per cent surge in the number of people it supported last year. The charity's Annual Impact Report for 2022 also revealed a substantial increase in rough sleeping, requests for emergency accommodation, and reliance on its soup run.
Speaking about the challenges faced by Cork Simon in 2022, CEO Dermot Kavanagh noted that cost-of-living increases, rising inflation, and already high rents led to a notable increase in homelessness, impacting the organisation significantly.
Overall, 1,370 men and women were supported across all Cork Simon services last year, the charity’s soup run served up 6,803 hot meals, and Cork Simon’s emergency shelter and nightlight supported 529 people throughout 2022 – an average of 64 people per night compared to 39 per night in 2021.
The number of long-term homeless people (stays of more than six months in emergency accommodation over a 12 month period) in their emergency shelter increased by 35% to 50 people.
The charity also faced a tough year financially, ending 2022 with a deficit of more than €750,000. However, while the challenges were significant, Dermot Kavanagh highlighted the Simon Community’s resilience, which, he said, are reflected in the number of people Cork Simon helped out of homelessness last year, in the number of people participating in training and education programmes, and supported into employment.
“We increased capacity at our emergency accommodation. We enhanced our outreach team in response to more people sleeping rough and we strengthened our housing teams to give those we’re supporting in tenancies the best chance of remaining housed.”
The charity facilitated the transition of 71 men and women from homelessness to secure, affordable, and independent housing. Additionally, over 350 people engaged in education and training programmes, while they aided 94 people in securing employment.
One of the people Cork Simon has assisted is Declan, a former rough sleeper who is now living in one of the charity’s high-support houses.
Speaking about the impact having a safe place to live has had on his life, Declan had this to say. “You call it rough sleeping, I call it rough resting - you’re awake for the whole night. It’s terrifying, it’s brutally terrifying. Luckily now, the lads in the house I’m based look after me 24/7. They’re unbelievable.”
Declan has also had the opportunity to retrain and to upskill, which he says has given him a sense of purpose. “They gave me an unbelievable amount of courses to do to help me better myself and to find work. They were always there, always encouraging me.
“When I do go back to work, it will be brilliant for myself, my confidence and the reward of doing something fulfilling,” he said.
Declan believes his life has changed for the better and is looking forward to the opportunities the future will bring. To “get back working is a must”, he said.
“All I need in life is my health and a roof over my head. That’s all I ask for.”