Staff Profiles

My past allows me to connect with clients in a way that only lived experience can.

Rachele, Project Manager at our Young People service, joined last year’s One BIG Sleep Out to raise awareness of homelessness. “One night outside gave me a glimpse of what it feels like to have no safe place. Events like this break stigma and remind me why I do this work.”

Before joining Simon Community, Colleen spent three years in domiciliary care, helping people live independently at home. Those hands-on experiences shaped her approach person-centred, relationship-focused, and rooted in empathy.

After a long and varied career across the petrochemical and IT sectors, Mario found himself drawn toward something very different, helping those most in need.

Pamela joined Simon Community in July 2024, combining her background in care with lived experience of the realities of homelessness. Before joining us, Pamela worked in the private sector until redundancy led her down a different path.

Ciara has spent over a decade of her life dedicated to supporting young people through some of their most vulnerable moments. Based in our Community Support Service in Portadown, Ciara has been a vital part of the Simon Community team since 2009, using her down-to-earth approach to help people find a place they can call home.

When Melissa first walked through the doors of Simon Community, one couldn’t have imagined the impact she would go on to make over the next 14 years.

Gemma McMahon joined Simon Community in March 2022 and works in our Housing First for Youth service in Belfast.

Lauren has been with Simon Community for over a decade, dedicating her career to supporting people affected by homelessness, drugs, and alcohol.

Meet Paddy, a member of the Simon Community team with over 20 years of experience.

Meg has worked with people experiencing homelessness for nearly 20 years

Working as a Senior Practitioner is about making connections with young people who have been socially isolated and disenfranchised, this job is about people, clients and staff. I am still motivated to come to work on a daily basis because of the clients and great staff we have at the Foyer.