Homelessness, But Not As You Know It in Partnership with Smarts Agency
At Simon Community, we are proud to launch our latest campaign, "Homelessness, But Not As You Know It," created in partnership with Smarts Agency. This groundbreaking initiative aims to shed light on the hidden crisis of homelessness affecting thousands in Northern Ireland.
The Hidden Crisis
Recent data reveals a startling truth, there are an estimated 25,000 individuals in Northern Ireland experiencing homelessness but who remain invisible to the systems designed to support them. These people are not accessing any form of assistance and are living in precarious situations that are often overlooked.
The Reality of Hidden Homelessness
Our recent research in partnership with Simon Communities of Ireland show that the majority of these 'hidden' homeless individuals experience homelessness for at least six months. This often means living in temporary accommodations such as B&Bs, homeless hostels, or even their cars. Extended periods in unstable living conditions has severe, long-term impacts on both mental and physical health.
The Consequences
The consequences of hidden homelessness extend far beyond the immediate lack of having a safe home. Prolonged periods in temporary accommodation lead to:
Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues become more prevalent.
Inadequate living conditions contribute to a range of health problems.
The long-term health impacts place additional burdens on the health service, creating a ripple effect that affects the entire community.
Our Mission
Homelessness, But Not As You Know It aims to bring this hidden crisis into the public eye and drive systemic change. Through awareness campaigns, community engagement, and policy advocacy, we seek to:
Work towards identifying those currently invisible to the system and ensuring they receive the necessary support.
Educate the public about the real size and scale of homelessness in Northern Ireland, and its impact across our community.
Advocate for policy changes that address the root causes of hidden homelessness and improve access to support services.
How You Can Help
We invite you to join us in this campaign. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of thousands of people struggling in silence. Here’s how you can get involved:
Donate: By giving a donation, you will help to provide immediate support to those in need and provide the long-term solutions that will truly end homelessness.
Volunteer: Your time and skills can make a significant impact. Join our team of volunteers and help change lives.
Spread the Word: Share our campaign on social media, talk to your friends and family, and help us raise awareness about hidden homelessness.
A Partnership for Change
This campaign would not be possible without the support and expertise of Smarts Agency. Together, we are committed to uncovering the hidden stories of homelessness and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Smarts have been a pleasure to work with. They understood the need to push for awareness of Hidden Homelessness and what we wanted to say, while also giving us brilliant and creative ideas throughout the entire process. We are delighted with the result and can't thank the Smarts team enough.
Jim Dennison, CEO, Simon Community
The Artwork:
Join us in our mission to make homelessness, as you know it, a thing of the past.
To learn more about Hidden Homelessness please visit Unveiling Hidden Homelessness Knowledge hub link.