Client Stories

Ciaran’s story is all too common in Northern Ireland. He and his wife had been renting their home for seven years, always paying their rent on time. It was the only home their two-year old son had ever known. Until one day their landlord decided to sell their home and everything changed. Suddenly, they had nowhere to go.

This International Women’s Day, we’re sharing Charmaine’s story her journey began in a volatile relationship, led her through addiction, loss, and homelessness, and brought her to a place of resilience and growth.

Charmaine spent years in an abusive relationship and leaving wasn’t easy.

Growing up in foster care, I spent 14 years with my foster mum but over time, things changed. Our relationship became strained, conversations turned into arguments, and the house no longer felt like a place I could call home.

At 19, Sherry has overcome years in care and homelessness. After 10 months at Simon Community’s Mount Street Mews, she rebuilt her life and now lives independently. Sherry’s journey highlights the life-changing impact of support and community.

As a single dad, life changed drastically when I became the full-time caregiver for my two young children. At first, we were living between friends' and family members' homes, but it became clear we needed a more stable solution. After contacting the Housing Executive, we ended up in a hotel—our “home” for five challenging weeks.

Stuart lived with his mum as her carer when she was living with dementia. Soon after she died, Stuart was asked to leave the family home and found himself homeless.

After losing his home, Tristan found support at Simon Community. Through Street Soccer NI, he’s now preparing to represent Northern Ireland at the Homeless World Cup, a true reflection of his transformation.

Dean was a young teenager when he entered the care system. He spent 5 years in care before becoming homeless at 18.

Amy's journey with Simon Community began when she was just 18 years old.

This year on Father’s Day John, from Omagh is spending time reflecting on his journey with Simon Community. It has been one of transformation, not only for him but for his relationship with his children.

Meet Justin, a 23-year-old originally from Enniskillen, now residing in Simon Community’s Lisburn Accommodation Services since April 2024.

It's "home time" at school. But what if you have no place to call home?

This was the reality for Easton.

I am so thankful for the Simon Community in getting me back on my feet. Helping me daily with my own struggles and being a friendly non-judgemental face.

I remember my first 24 hours; it was scary. I've never been in an environment with such a close group of people living together.

"I'm thankful for the Simon Community staff, they're always there for ya."

Michael became homeless and had no choice but to live in his car for several months until he found his way to Simon Community.

With colder nights approaching Alister found himself sleeping rough, with dropping temperatures he found his way to our Larne Temporary Accommodation Service stating, “for the first time in months, I felt safe.”

Osama, a 33-year-old member of the Street Soccer NI team is heading to the Homeless World Cup in Sacramento, California this July.

40-year-old Reuben became homeless following mental health issues after the loss of his mother and sister. When he suffered a mental health breakdown, he ultimately lost everything he knew and his life at home and business began to unravel.

Twenty four year old Courtney from Belfast became homeless with her baby daughter following a family breakdown.

19 year old Gabriel has been with our Transition Project for Separated Children for nearly 2 years. Originally from North Africa, Gabriel is seeking asylum in NI and working closely with our team on settling here in Northern Ireland.

At the age of 17, Ellie had a breakdown of relationship with her mum who asked her to leave her home straight away. Upon arrival to the Foyer Ellie was nervous as this was her first hostel which was a totally different environment to what she was used to.

Michelle, a woman in her thirties, lives in Belfast with her husband and son. A number of years ago Michelle lived with her parents and had what she described as ‘a decent job,’ managing a city centre store. Her biggest concern was where she was going at the weekend. Yet that changed when paramilitaries arrived at her door and ordered her family to leave the area.

James was in foster homes and care homes from the age of 6 until 18. When he turned 18, he was left to fend for himself and therefore declared himself homeless due to having nowhere to turn to.

After another period of ‘sofa surfing’ and staying in hostel accommodation, Robert has now moved into a private rental, due to the help and support he received from a local youth organisation. Robert claimed that he was literally given taxi fare to Belfast and arrived in the city in the midst of the pandemic and lockdown.

Paul attributes his homelessness to poor mental health and substance use brought on by trauma experienced in his childhood over bullying.

Amy, a young woman in her early 20s, is optimistic about her future as she talks about enrolling in University and building a home for her and her daughter. Having recently started a new job supporting young people at risk of becoming homeless, Amy is determined to affect change in housing policy, and in the lives of those who are heading down a path of ‘chronic homelessness and instability,’ a path that she knows all too well.

Roger found himself in a physical and mentally abusive relationship and resorted to living out of his work van amongst the hidden homelessness in the Northern Ireland.

‘Margaret’s’ story, illustrates what can happen in the more extreme cases of landlord exploitation in the private rented sector, wherein despite having a roof over one’s head, one may still feel without a home.

James became homeless after the breakdown of his long-term relationship. Despite having a steady, full-time job, as he was originally from England, he had no support-network here in NI.

Without them, I wouldn’t be here today. I’m sure of it. The staff made me see things in a way I wasn’t able to before.

Kristy joined our community at 19 when expecting the arrival of her daughter Faye. “Having all these people around me and someone to talk to at any time made me feel as though I was part of a little community.”

Before arriving at Simon Community Eskander had endured a decade long journey that saw him become the victim of slavery, human trafficking and homelessness.

I was supported by Simon Community staff and always felt I could talk to the staff about anything, and they were always available 24/7 if I needed to chat. I never felt alone.

I didn’t know what to expect when arriving and because I’m from Birmingham I knew little about Simon Community NI. Now, I would be first to defend the service, the clients using it and what it offers.

Becoming homeless is something I never expected to happen, but thanks to Simon Community, I learned new skills to help me in the future, met people from all different backgrounds and gained friends from the local church group.

Now aged 45, Gavin was referred to our Coleraine project after his mother asked him to leave the family home – a place that he had lived for all his life - as she was unable to cope with her son’s alcohol dependency.

Caolan left home when he was 18 without anywhere permanent to live, he spent the next two years sofa surfing at friends or family’s homes.

Christine was 56 years old when she became homeless. She had been in a long-term relationship which broke down after she suffered a sustained period of domestic violence.

As a mother to not be able to give basic items to your child is heart breaking. That was the hardest thing of all. I felt hopeless and just so sad.

No one knew that Philip was sleeping in his car. Not his two fond children, none of his loving wider family and caring friends. Even Philip didn't know, as he stood on a motorway bridge, wondering whether he would take his own life that night.

Keith had it all. Wife, kids, a home, an exciting job as a chef and all that came with it. However, his perfect life came tumbling down one Christmas morning when, instead of opening presents as a family, his wife found him overdosed in the bathroom.

Before the death of her mum, Louise was a bubbly individual with a loving family, safe home and a talent for arts and crafts. However, after her life was turned upside down, she found herself quickly moving towards a dark place as poor mental health and addiction issues spiralled out of control.

Aaron was just 21 when he first found himself alone and out in the cold - As a musician and with nowhere else to go he went to Dawson’s Music, in Belfast, where he knew he could find some comfort.

It was at Dawson's he met his best friend and began his longest spell of homelessness.

“When I get older and have kids, I just don’t want them to have the life that I have had - that would be terrible if I even thought of doing that to my kids. Usually when people ask me what’s your future, I’m like, ‘I will be probably be dead’ - but now I won’t be. I will be alive and happy hopefully.”

Steven's mum passed away when he was 15. Having had no relationship with his dad, he found himself sofa surfing at friend's homes until he got to a point where he had nowhere else to go and was homeless.

Nicola lived with her partner, had her own house and was a senior support worker for people with learning difficulties and poor mental health. However after a break down, caused by domestic violence she lost everything and found herself homeless.

There was no privacy at all. It was terrible. I’m the sort of person that keeps to myself. Don’t like opening up.

‘I’m off the drugs now and I want to tell my story. I want people to read it and know that there is help out there, that you can get off drugs and make something of your life.’

Compared to where I was coming from, Simon Community was fantastic, a very good place to be. It was the start of a very large learning curve; I have met people from all walks of life. There’s never a dull moment and you meet people with all sorts of personalities.

I was scared when I first moved in, I was happy to have somewhere to go but I was nervous about living on my own at 17. I’ve gotten used to it now and I do get on well with staff. I’ve also made friends with the other people living here.

As a child who grew up in the care system, Billie-Jo found herself homeless at just 19, as the result of family breakdown due to domestic violence. With nowhere else to turn, Billie-Jo found herself at the Simon Community Belfast Foyer, unsure if she would be able to return to full-time education.

“My mental state was very low and I was scared. I was feeling guilty because I had left my kids and I didn’t know where I was going to stay, but I couldn’t go home. If I look back to that day when I left, I see myself from outside. I don’t recognise it as me. That day was the hardest thing that I have ever done. I kind of see it like a third person now, but I recognise the man and I understand why he did what he had to do.

It can be hard at times being in this situation, I just take every day as it comes and it’s good that the staff are here to support you if you need help. Plus you can speak to your friends in here too which is good. The staff are here every day and are always there for you.