Homeless charity Galway Simon Community has launched its annual Sleep Out for Simon and this year's event is going hybrid! Find out more here...
The event which is set to take place on the night of Friday 30th September, will see individuals, friends, families, colleagues, businesses and communities from Galway and beyond give up their bed for one night to raise awareness and vital funds for those facing homelessness in the West.
Galway Simon invites you to get your flasks of tea and hot chocolate at the ready and pack yourselves into your warmest sleeping bags, for a jam-packed night on Friday 30th September. This year people have the choice to join one of Galway Simon’s organised Community Sleep Outs taking place across Galway city and county or to organise their own Sleep Out in a safe place of their choosing. This could be in a tent in your back garden in Boyle, on a trampoline in Claremorris, in a garden shed in Headford or in an office car park in Vancouver. By joining either of these Sleep Out for Simon events you’re guaranteed to come away with a sense of pride at making a difference!
One participant from last year said it was "a great experience with my family raising money for such a good cause while also getting a greater understanding of homelessness and the fact that it can happen to anyone."
Karen Golden, CEO of Galway Simon Community, explained why they are relying on the community to come together and raise funds for those living with the threat of homelessness; "The fear and trauma of having nowhere to sleep is a stark reality for some, the families and individuals who we support continue to be under extreme pressure. We are asking for the help of our community so that we can continue delivering the support needed to protect the most vulnerable in our society from the threat of homelessness."
Over the last two years, the Sleep Outs took place virtually due to Covid-19 and were the most diverse to date. People partook from across the globe - from Moycullen, Westport, Castlerea as far as Shanghai. There were participants from Montessori groups, sports clubs, businesses and enterprises of all sizes. The vital funds raised helped support more than 800 individuals and families across the West - a truly phenomenal achievement.
As the rising cost of living and housing crisis impacts on people in our community, your support will make a difference to those living in fear of losing their home. Galway Simon looks forward to welcoming your participation in this unique event on the 30th of September, be it from your own back garden or by joining one of our Community Sleep Outs in Galway city and county.
This year, Galway Simon Community have set themselves the target of raising €100,000 from the Sleep Out for Simon. 100% of proceeds will go directly towards Galway Simon’s Homelessness Prevention Services including their community support, youth, women and family services, ensuring the charity can safeguard these essential community services and support those in need.
To register for the Sleep Out for Simon today, visit sleepoutforsimon.ie
Galway Simon Community’s services focus on three key areas; homelessness prevention, housing and health & wellbeing:
Their Homelessness Prevention Services support those within the community to prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place. These services work to keep people in their own homes or when this is not possible, they help to resettle them to a new home. Their Housing Services provide a home for over 140 people at any one time across Galway City and County. These services vary in levels of support from independent living, to shared, transitional or high support housing. The focus within these housing services is to support clients towards independent living where appropriate. The Health and Well-being team provides specialist support in areas including physical and mental health, addiction, relapse prevention, life skills and access to training, education and employment.
In 2021, Galway Simon Community supported 814 households, including 246 families. This comprised of 948 adults and 563 children, a total of 1,511 individuals. There was an increase of 26% in number of households supported in 2021 compared to 2020. The number of cases and households worked with is the highest that we have on record since 2004. 641 households were supported through our Homelessness Prevention Services, an increase of 32%, while 173 households were supported through our Housing Services, an increase of 7%. We have supported 28% more families than the same period in 2020. The number of 18-25-year olds supported across our services increased by 25% in 2021 compared to 2020.
People in photo (L-R): Walter McDonagh (Moycullen Sleep Out), Bernie Rogers (Oranmore Sleep Out), Karol Cooke Galway Simon Community and Partnerships Fundraiser, Geraldine Grady (Oranmore Community Sleep out) and Gill Carroll (Galway City Centre Sleep Out). PHOTO: CLARE O’REGAN
Published on Updated on
