Written by Sharon Wright - Service Manager, Downpatrick
Tucked away in a corner of Saul Street is the Simon Community temporary accommodation service, where 7 people live who have found themselves without a roof over their heads. You might think of “the homeless” as the person wrapped in a sleeping bag in a shop doorway but to be homeless is so much more than that. There are as many different faces of homelessness as there are people needing homes. The people we look after are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, cousins and even grandfathers and grandmothers – each with a name and a story to tell.
If you have not heard that there is a temporary accommodation in Downpatrick, you are one of the lucky ones for it is likely that you have not needed the service or have had someone in your life who has needed it. Every week we get phone calls from people who have found themselves looking for somewhere to stay as they have found themselves homeless. Perhaps you have been sofa-surfing for a while and can no longer stay, have been in a relationship that has broken down, or your landlord has told you that they are selling the property you’ve been renting for the last 10 years. Here you are needing somewhere to stay. Yes, some may have addiction or mental health issues, but many more have faced trauma of some sort. We had a young man, who at 16 years of age, lost 3 of his friends to suicide and he struggled to cope. We had a lady in her 40’s who had a mental breakdown and lost her family home. Another man came to us having been sleeping in his car for a few weeks after a relationship breakdown. Some have been living in tents in friend’s garden or the local park.
Coming to Simon Community is not a quick fix. It is the beginning of a journey that our staff are on hand to help guide and steer you through. Here you will find a friendly face and staff with the knowledge and expertise to help you on that journey. Unfortunately, people stay longer than they should due to the high rental prices and lack of social housing. This is not good for their mental wellbeing, and it is harder for them when they do get their independence, as they have been here for so long and can get institutionalised. But it is not all doom and gloom and we have had some very successful move ons where people have completed their journey with us and are now settled into their own property, integrated back into the community and making a successful life for themselves.
Many often carry the stigma of living in temporary accommodation. Even in today’s society, it is hard to break down the perception people have of homelessness. Simon Community’s values are to be trustworthy, non-judgemental and to be determined. Our staff will always treat you with respect, no matter the circumstances that led to you becoming homeless.
If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, please phone our 24/7 helpline at 0800 171 2222 or click here to learn more.