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Depaul Trust Annual Report 2002/2003
Discover another Ireland
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St. Peter’s Offices New Cabra Road Dublin 7 Tel: 01 810 2570 Fax: 01 838 9950 email: info@depaultrust.net www.depaultrust.org
Photography by Depaul Trust Residents Consultancy by Emmet Bergin, emmetbergin@hotmail.com Design by encoredesign
Our guide to the best... Accommodation Shopping Dining Out Visitor Attractions Activities Entertainment ... Make the most of your stay in Ireland
Director’s Statement Director’s Statement Céad Mile Fáilte Climate What to Bring Health Information Food and Drink Accommodation
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Welcome to Depaul Trust Foreword Chairman’s Report Welcome to our Projects Treasurer’s Report Financial Statements New Developments Afterword Donor Charter
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Céad Mile Fáilte to every one from the Depaul Trust! In setting out our annual report in the style of a holiday brochure I am conscious of how open the concept is to misinterpretation. But I have decided to persist with the theme because it brings up a number of important points. The most obvious is how being homeless is the very opposite to being on holiday. While we all look forward to our two weeks away from home in a warmer climate or with friends and family, the concept of being homeless, even for a short period, fills most of us with dread. When you are homeless there is little or no possibility of taking a break. Some people might be tempted to call homeless people ‘backpackers’, but in truth all long to return home, or where that is not possible, to find a new place to call home. Travelling under this kind of pressure is exhausting. The tourist brochure description of Ireland is aimed at attracting tourists to the many wonderful attractions of our capital and countryside. However, there are places in our country that have not received the money and regeneration that has benefited others. This has a direct impact on individuals and communities who find life a day-to-day struggle to survive. They have a right to be heard too, even if it challenges the more sanitised version of how we sell our country abroad. Depaul Trust Ireland was set up in 2002. The last year has been characterised by rapid growth. We opened our first project at Clancy Barracks in February 2002. We now run four hostels in Dublin and have three other projects at various stages of development. This progress has been facilitated by local and central government’s recognition of the problem of homelessness and their willingness to dedicate new funding to address the problem. But more needs to be done. If agencies such as the Depaul Trust are to be able to operate to our full potential - focusing on ending the crises facing people sleeping rough on the streets of Ireland - then we need to be assured of adequate and secure funding. We all enjoy flicking through holiday brochures, skimming without reflection through pages of palm trees and sunsets. The reality of homeless people’s lives is not so sunny. I hope you enjoy reading through this first Depaul Trust Ireland annual report. Dublin is a party city but let’s remember that not everyone is invited to the party.
Pat Doherty
Annual Report 2002/2003
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Céad Mile Fáilte “Days in Dublin are full of things to do and see - the nights offer a superb choice of dining and entertainment in a host of different surroundings. Enjoy the craic and ceol for which the Irish are renowned.”
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Depaul Trust works with the most vulnerable and excluded rough sleepers, those people who literally have doors closed on them every day, even by other homeless hostels. In the shelter for long term street drinkers in Aungier Street, the Back Lane Hostel for single men, “Tús Nua” - our project for women leaving Dochas (the women’s prison) and in the Clancy Night Shelter for rough sleeping drug users, everywhere we work with people who, for whatever reason, find themselves excluded from existing services.
“I walk the streets day after day, asking myself what will I do today, where will I go?” 2
Depaul Trust
Annual Report 2002/2003
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Climate
“Clean air and sea breezes leave you feeling healthy and re-invigorated.” >
Average temperature Dublin Winter average 2.5˚C Average yearly 8.5˚C
Last winter in Dublin the average temperature was 2.5˚C. During the night, temperatures fell to below 0˚C on 38 occasions. That’s just the air temperature. Those sleeping out worry more about the ground temperature, the bit they sleep on. That fell to below 0˚C on 54 nights. Don’t forget the wind and rain. It rained on 172 days during 2002. Because of the climatic dangers inherent in sleeping rough, emphysema, bronchitis and pneumonia were problems experienced by our clients this year. Sadly some people sleeping rough in Dublin during 2002 didn’t make it through the winter.
Average temperature Malaga Year around 19˚C Average Summer 26˚C 4
Depaul Trust
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What to Bring
“Dublin is a shopper’s delight. In a myriad of charming streets you can find that something special to suit every taste and pocket.” Washing materials are always important if you don’t want to frighten people. A clean set of clothes is handy too, it helps you feel good about yourself, but remember, it can be bulky and you’ve probably only got a backpack. A raincoat is vital, otherwise you’ll always have a cold and maybe worse. If you’re sleeping out you’ll need a sleeping bag, it can be bulky but it’s necessary.
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If you’re taking medication don’t forget it. Some food might be handy too. Above all, bring your wits and common sense. The street can be unsafe and statistics from the UK suggest that rough sleepers are 60 times more likely to be seriously attacked than the general population.
Designer Hand Bag: 239 euro Sleeping Bag: 20 euro 6
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Health
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Infectious disease We are talking Dublin here, not the Amazon. Surely there’s no need to worry about infectious diseases? If you are living on the streets in Dublin you’ve got a lot to watch out for including scabies, TB, pressure sores, pneumonia, Hep A, B and C and HIV. The Depaul Trust works in partnership with health agencies such as the Health Promotion Service. The aim is to deliver health services to our clients which will minimise the risks of communicable diseases. Nursing services visit each of the emergency hostels to advise residents on relevant health issues.
Holding it together Mental ill health is also a problem for people living on the streets. Research suggests that around 40% of homeless people suffer from a serious mental health complaint. Depaul Trust has noted the high level of mental ill health among residents in all of the projects and how some homeless people try to self-medicate with alcohol. Our residents have many needs. The starting point is often to help stabilise the individual in a secure and supportive environment rather than immediately seek out permanent accommodation. Simple things like sleep patterns (which tend to be very chaotic when rough sleepers come first to the shelter) need to be stabilised. A good night’s sleep can make the world a lot easier to deal with and gives some structure to the days and nights.
“I like the approach Depaul Trust take. I like the fact that the hostel hasn’t invested in security cameras, they always offer steel cutlery rather than plastic, they try to give residents as much dignity as possible.” 8
Depaul Trust
Annual Report 2002/2003
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Information
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It can be baffling arriving in a new city for the first time. Even if Dublin is your home city, it can be pretty difficult if you have just left home or a care institution. What are your options? Well, very few. There’s a freephone number for homeless people in Dublin. Ring the number 1800 724 724 and if it isn’t engaged or doesn’t ring out, they’ll try and find accommodation for you. As accommodation is scarce, start early. Most places are taken by 5pm. Outreach teams also work in the city. Dublin Simon, Focus Ireland, the Multidisciplinary Team (Health Board) and the City Council’s Night Bus work very closely with Depaul Trust in linking people into our hostels. Word of mouth from other street homeless can often be the way to find out what’s available.
Literary Walking Tour : 9 euro Walking aimlessly: No charge 10
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Food and Drink “Savour superb cuisine wherever you are in Ireland. From lobster and prawns straight from the sea to a traditional Irish stew, from the tantalising aroma of freshly baked gourmet scones to mouth watering desserts, Ireland has it all.”
Months on the streets, together with excessive use of drugs and alcohol, can make homeless people very weak and prone to disease. All the emergency hostels offer healthy meals, with plenty of fruit and vegetables. As a staff member from the Clancy Night Shelter notes, “Residents in Clancy are treated with respect, not treated as junkies. We see that by improving their diet, their health and appearance often improve. They stop seeing themselves as junkies, and start seeing themselves as human beings.”
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8 course surprise menu in an upmarket restaurant: 125 euro per person Average Food Budget for Depaul Trust Hostels: 2.44 euro per 3 course meal 12
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Accommodation
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If you’ve got the money, you’ll be spending a good part of it on your own flat or apartment. The cost of housing in Dublin, whether owning or renting, is renowned internationally as being exceptionally high. Local authority housing lists have lengthened to record levels. The private rented market is the usual route for young people seeking accommodation. Those looking to pay through Supplementary Welfare Allowance still have very few options. Many landlords don’t want to know you. If, in addition to being poor or unemployed, you do not have a family to go to and/or have a mental illness or addiction, then a homeless hostel is your most likely route. You need to be organised to get a place. You must book early with the hostel, sign up to whatever conditions there are for your stay, pay your rent and keep your head down. Many Depaul Trust clients staying in the Aungier Street and the Clancy Night Shelter find it hard to maintain accommodation in a typical homeless hostel and have in the past ended up on the streets. Others need a helping hand to even get on the ladder. That’s where Depaul Trust comes in...
Average Hotel, Dublin. Standard double room: 1,183 euro per week, plus 15 % service charge Cost to residents in Depaul Trust Hostels: Aungier Street/Clancy Barracks: free Back Lane Hostel: 55 euro per week Tús Nua: 35 euro per week 14
Depaul Trust
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Welcome to Depaul Trust Our history and values The Depaul Trust was established in 1989 at the initiative of the late Cardinal Basil Hume as a response to the growing numbers of young people sleeping rough on the streets of London. The founding partners were the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the Passage Day Centre. We set up in Ireland in 2002, with the support of our partners, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Daughters of Charity and the Vincentian Fathers. The Depaul Trust, a relatively new charity, embodies the ethos and values of a 400year tradition. We are committed to working in a practical and non judgmental way with people on the margins of society, wherever there is a need, in the spirit of St Vincent de Paul. Our vision is that everyone should have a place to call home and a stake in their community. Our mission is to offer homeless and disadvantaged people the opportunity to fulfil their potential and make positive, informed choices about their future. Our key values and indicators underpin all of the work we do. For that reason we have tied our values into a series of indicators which allow us to gauge our performance year to year. These values and indicators are central to any future planning process.
The Depaul Trust celebrates the potential of people:
The Depaul Trust aims to take a wider role in civil society:
> We believe in the potential of the people we work with
> We believe in partnership > We aim to be open and accountable
> We will treat all of the people who use our services with respect
> We are custodians of valuable resources
> We believe in development
> We strive to be a best practice organisation
> We have a strong culture of volunteering.
> We have a global perspective and potential.
The Depaul Trust puts its words into action:
The Depaul Trust believes in rights and responsibilities:
> What matters is what we do > We do what we say we will do > We are committed to innovation
> We believe that people have fundamental rights > We believe that with rights go responsibilities.
> We take risks.
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Depaul Trust
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Foreword
Chairman’s Report
Homelessness in Ireland, although a persistent problem, is both solvable and preventable, given the correct responses. This is the basis of the approach in the Dublin action plan, Shaping the Future, which aims to eliminate homelessness in Dublin by 2010. Arising from a government strategy, the action plan focuses on the development of responses which will meet the real needs of people who are homeless. It provides opportunities to address these needs and to move people out of homelessness - permanently.
When the Depaul Trust Ireland was planned I was delighted to be asked to be its first Chairman. It is therefore my pleasure and privilege to make this Chairman’s report on the progress of our new charity in what has been a demanding but successful first year of operation.
This poses an enormous challenge to all those agencies involved in the planning and delivery of services to people who are homeless. It requires changes in the way that services are organised and delivered. It places an emphasis on new and innovative responses and on best practice and high quality services. Most importantly, it requires strong partnership working between funders, planners and service providers. The arrival of the Depaul Trust in Ireland was timely, coming as the Homeless Agency was seeking agencies to provide two new projects as part of the action plan. These projects are aimed at people usually excluded from services, i.e. active drug users. The Depaul Trust’s success in delivering services to the most marginal of people and its reputation for quality standards and management systems made them ideal candidates to manage both these services. They have proved themselves as an organisation capable of managing new projects, even in difficult circumstances, and attracting staff who can intervene successfully with people – as the afterword by Derek attests. In the short time it has been in Ireland, the Depaul Trust has already made a significant contribution to the quality and range of services available to people who are homeless in Dublin. They have demonstrated that it is possible to work with people with the most “challenging” behaviour and have set a new standard for service delivery and partnership working.
Inequality in our society is increasing and for those at the bottom, things could well be getting worse. These concerns were instrumental in the Government publishing a policy document early in the year 2000, which set out its commitment to tackling homelessness. This policy document entitled “Homelessness - An Integrated Strategy” encourages individual voluntary and statutory agencies to work together to provide a comprehensive response in meeting the varying needs of people who are homeless. It was against this background that The Society of St Vincent de Paul, the Vincentian Fathers and the Daughters of Charity invited the Depaul Trust in England to join them in a partnership to set up the Depaul Trust Ireland. Thanks to the considerable support and encouragement we have received from our founders, the statutory and volunteer agencies and all associated with addressing Ireland’s homelessness, we have made good progress. We have now entered our second year in good heart and are enthusiastic to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Our approach starts with an analysis of a person’s need. From here we aim to provide the facilities that meet those needs supported by programmes that will help them on their way to self sufficiency and an independent style of living. Ultimately we can only consider ourselves successful if we have made a difference. Ensuring transparency within all our operations and the implementation of quality standards are central to our development strategy. It is also worth noting that an integral part of our work is to recruit volunteers, train them and motivate them with the objective of securing a ratio of three volunteers to each member of permanent staff over the next five years. As we look to the future, our aim is to maintain and develop an innovative and flexible range of projects aimed at crisis intervention, but just as importantly we intend to introduce programmes of prevention. It is our firm belief that only by setting up programmes of this kind can the problems of the homeless and disadvantaged be alleviated. In closing, I am very conscious of the fact that my first report would be incomplete without acknowledging the exemplary work undertaken by our Chief Executive Mark McGreevy, and Pat Doherty, our Director, along with their team. By their commitment and devotion to the underprivileged they have advanced our plans, aspirations and indeed dreams in such a professional but caring manner.
Mary Higgins Director of Homeless Agency
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Depaul Trust
Paddy Murray
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Welcome to our Projects Depaul Trust working with our Vincentian Partners Depaul Trust was asked in 2003 to take over the day to day running of “Tús Nua” and the Back Lane Hostel.
“Tús Nua” - Hostel Supporting the Re-integration of Women Ex-Offenders Depaul Trust manages a supported housing project which was opened in February 2003 for women leaving Dochas Prison. The hostel, which caters for a maximum of 6 women at any one time, is the first of its kind in Ireland. It offers residents the opportunity for safe, comfortable accommodation for a period up to twelve months. 24 hour support is provided by five permanent, trained staff. Homelessness is a big problem for women leaving prison and experience shows that without initial support there is a high re-offending rate. Tús Nua is the first step to re-integration by providing women with housing, linking them into services and helping them to re-establish links with family and friends. The Probation Service of Ireland covers the cost of running this project which was initiated by the Society of St Vincent de Paul. As Sam Priestley, manager of the hostel notes, “Women leaving prison often see progress in terms of unifying their family. For those with children, there is a big focus on getting their children back. Most are realistic that it may take a couple of years. We try and support them in these important steps.”
Back Lane Hostel Depaul Trust was asked by the Society of St Vincent de Paul in 2003 to take over the running of the Back Lane Hostel. The hostel houses 75 single men over 26 years old in a landmark building close to Christchurch Cathedral. There are two types of support offered in the hostel: settled, for those needing support over the long term and emergency, for those staying for the short term until housed in more appropriate accommodation. The service provided is an emergency 24/7 support for men with low support needs. Access to welfare rights, advice, healthcare and other specialist care is provided. Residents are offered life skills courses and access to addiction treatment as part of the support and settlement programme. Residents taking up these courses can extend their stay for up to 6 months.
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Depaul Trust Harm Reduction Hostels Meaning of Harm Reduction The Aungier Street and Clancy hostels work to a “low threshold, harm reduction” approach which originated in San Francisco at the time of the AIDS crisis. It is a pragmatic response to a social reality for those difficult to rehabilitate. It does not imply the condoning of drug use, including alcohol abuse, but it does suggest some honesty about behaviour. The main focus is on the health and safety of staff and residents and on security of the neighbourhood. In practice, this means cultivating a culture of non-violence and a focus on behaviour rather than the use of drugs. In terms of management of behaviour in the city centre, these hostels contribute to a reduction in anti-social behaviour on the streets.
Clancy Emergency Night Shelter The first hostel of its kind in Dublin, the Clancy Night Shelter is a low threshold, harm reduction hostel for young rough sleepers, many of whom are intravenous drug users. Opened in February 2002, the hostel presently has 16 beds in 7 twin and 2 single rooms and is open from 7pm to 9am. The hostel accommodates men and women aged between 18-35 who because of their challenging behaviours have been excluded from other services. Because of the lack of other housing options for couples, the hostel seeks to be proactive in housing them. Like the other hostels, the successful running of Clancy Night Shelter is largely related to staff commitment to working with people who are marginalized. We set rules relevant to our client group and not to the easy running of the services. All staff undertake on-going training in areas such as addiction treatment and keyworking.
Aungier Street Emergency Shelter The Aungier Street hostel is the only hostel in Dublin to directly target and house formerly rough sleeping street drinkers. There are 23 bed spaces in the hostel in 1 single room, 5 twin rooms and 4 treble rooms housing men, women and couples. The minimum age limit is 30 years. Since opening in December 2002 the shelter has been running at full occupancy. The project targets a group of homeless people who, due to their lifestyle and behaviour, have been excluded from other services.
“I’m not suggesting that all shelters should be like this, but there is a need for at least one of these. We are working at the most extreme end of what ideally should be a continuum of care.” Fran Cassidy, Assistant Manager in Aungier Street. 22
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All residents are appointed a key worker to ensure they have access to all the services they require and receive the appropriate support. A care plan is developed for each resident to cover life skills, budgeting, drink harm reduction, detox access and health and mental health support.
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Treasurer’s Report From a financial perspective, our objectives are to provide the most effective service possible for the funding we receive. In this regard, the challenge is to: >
Receive adequate management charges for the services we provide
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Ensure we control our cost base, and
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Ensure cash inflows are timed to meet our obligations as they fall due, particularly in this, our first period of operation.
We are pleased to report that in our first period of operation we have been able to achieve these objectives and deliver a small surplus and positive cash position. In achieving these objectives we must express our considerable gratitude to the Homeless Agency and Probation and Welfare Service for making the funding available to allow the Depaul Trust Ireland to undertake our service. We also acknowledge the donations from both The Society of Saint Vincent De Paul in Ireland and the Depaul Trust in the United Kingdom. Indeed these donations form our surplus at year-end. Furthermore we have received short-term cash flow funding and considerable management service support from the Depaul Trust UK. For this we are truly grateful. In looking forward to 2003, the Depaul Trust Ireland will see significant growth in its services. We will achieve full year services at the Clancy Night Shelter and Aungier Street Hostel, and new services at Backlane Hostel and Tús Nua together with a number of further possibilities. The provision of these services will increase the Depaul Trust’s cost base to approximately u3 million. As we are a new organisation and have a modest reserve base, we will continue to rely on donations to give our organisation further financial security. In terms of agreeing an appropriate management charge with the Homeless Agency, we trust we can continue to avail of prompt settlement of amounts due and an appropriate allocation of fee to cover our central service costs. As Depaul Trust Ireland grows we believe a strong central offices infrastructure is key to supporting the various services we operate, thereby achieving real efficiency and the most cost effective base for the services we provide. We look forward to a successful 2003.
Herbert Graham
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Depaul Trust
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Financial Statements
Profit and Loss Account for the period ended 31st December 2002
Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2002
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
2002
c
c
c
12,082 473,252 20,859
-
12,082 473,252 20,859
506,193
-
Resources Expended Direct charitable expenditure
438,544
Total Resources Expended
Note Incoming Resources Donations and fundraising income Service income Other income Total Incoming Resources
Net surplus for the period
1
2
Note
c
Fixed assets Tangible assets
4
16,026
506,193
Current assets Debtors: due within one year Cash & bank balances
5 6
230,849 766,110 996,959
-
438,544
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
7
945,336
438,544
-
438,544
Net current assets
51,623
67,649
-
67,649
Total net assets
67,649
-
-
-
67,649
-
67,649
Balance at start of period Balance at end of period
7 months to 31/12/02
Capital and reserves Revenue reserves
8
Shareholders funds
67,649 67,649
Note of historical cost losses and profits for the period ended 31st December 2002 Historical cost losses and profits are the only such losses and profits recognised by the company.
On behalf of the board,
Patrick Murray Chairman
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Depaul Trust
On behalf of the board,
Laurence J. Tuomey Director
Date: 19th September 2003
Patrick Murray Chairman
Laurence J. Tuomey Director
Date: 19th September 2003
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Financial Statements continued
Notes to the Financial Statements
Note 1
Turnover
7 months to 31/12/02
Note 3
Taxation
c
Turnover is comprised of: Homeless Agency Trust income Consultancy Other
By geographical market Republic of Ireland Other
Note 2
Operating surplus
473,252 7,000 20,859 5,082 506,193
501,211 4,982 506,193
Profit for the year has been arrived at after charging: Staff Costs Wages and salaries Social welfare costs Auditors’ remuneration
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Depaul Trust
Note 4
Tangible fixed assets
Cost At 06/06/02 Additions in period At 31/12/02
Office Equipment
Total
c
c
17,578 17,578
17,578 17,578
1,552 1,552
1,552 1,552
16,026 -
16,026 -
7 months to 31/12/02 c
Turnover Staff Costs Depreciation Other operating charges Operating surplus
Depaul Trust Ireland is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to charities.
506,193 (336,767) (1,552) (100,225) 67,649
304,425 32,297 3,630
Accumulated Depreciation At 06/06/02 Charge for period At 31/12/02 Net book value At 31/12/02 At 06/06/02
The estimated useful lives of fixed assets by reference to which depreciation is calculated on, are as follows: Office equipment 3 years
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Financial Statements continued
Notes to the Financial Statements continued
Note 5
Debtors
31/12/02
Note 8
Reconciliation of movements in reserves
7 months to 31/12/02
c
Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income
c
228,415 2,434 230,849
Surplus for the financial period Net addition to reserves Opening reserves Closing reserves
68,279 68,279
All amounts included above fall due within one year Note 9 Note 6
Cash and bank balances
c
Cash and bank balances
The company meets the size criteria for a small company set by the Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 and therefore, in accordance with FRS 1: Cash flow statements, it has not prepared a cash flow statement.
766,110
Depaul Trust Ireland received funding of c805,406 in December 2002. This funding was utilised to repay a working capital advance of c322,260 received from Depaul Trust Limited in the United Kingdom in 2002. Also Included in the December receipt was funding specific to 2003 projects see Note 7.
Note 10
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
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Depaul Trust
Approval of financial statements
31/12/02 c
Trade creditors Owing to Depaul Trust Limited Funding deferred for 2003 projects Accruals PAYE & Social Welfare
Employees The average number of persons employed by the company during the period was 19.
Note 11 Note 7
Cash flow statement
31/12/02
21,366 460,369 435,222 14,557 13,822 945,336
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors at a meeting held on 19th September 2003.
Board of Directors Patrick Murray (Chair of Trustees) Laurence J. Tuomey Lady Elizabeth Arnold Noel Clear Rev. Sean Farrell CM Sister Ellen Flynn DC Timothy M. Haigh Sister Maura McCullen DC Sister Rita Yore DC Herbert Graham
Auditors Sherry McNabola Murray & Co. Company Incorporation Number 357828 Charity Registration Number CHY 14753
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New Developments Depaul Trust has developed remarkably quickly but with considerable planning since being established in Ireland, from 0 to 120 beds in the space of 11 months. There are a number of further developments for 2003.
“A Home Away from the Streets”, The James Street Project Research identifying street drinking as being a persistent problem in Dublin led the Government to propose the setting up of a project focussing on those long-term street drinkers for whom rehabilitation may not be a possibility. Depaul Trust has been asked to manage the project and is presently working with BIH Housing Association (responsible for the bricks and mortar) on the design and partnership arrangements for this project. The project differs from Aungier Street in that places will be allocated on a long-term basis, though the same harm reduction principles will apply. The hostel plans to open in early 2005.
Belfast Project Driving Ahead Plans are progressing to establish a “Drive Ahead” centre in Belfast. This project addresses employment, training and life skills and offers driving lessons, mechanical engineering and car maintenance for excluded young people, over a 10 to 12 week period.
Applying good practice models With the support of Depaul Trust in England, which has developed many best practice approaches to meeting the needs of excluded young people, Depaul Trust Ireland is in a position to offer a number of established non-accommodation services north and south of the Border. Alongside “Drive Ahead”, other services such as “Outside Link”, focusing on people leaving prison, and “Sports Coaching”, a training and support service, are demonstrably successful projects. These offer great possibilities for wider application in Ireland. Depaul Trust Ireland also offers consultancy to the Society of St Vincent de Paul local management committees, in the operation of their accommodation services in a number of locations.
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Afterword My name is Derek. I am twenty-one years old.
I have been homeless since the age of eleven. I started to go through the Out of Hours outreach, which is run by the Eastern Heath Board. Every night I would go to any Garda Station, and they would ring the E.H.B. social worker who was on call for the night. Eight times out of ten I would get a bed. If a bed could not be found the social worker would just buy me fish and chips and tell me that was all they could do for me that night. On the nights I could not get a bed I would go to Burgh Bridge at Tara Street where the Simon Community have a soup run to get some food and a blanket to stay out for the night. I was told by one of the outreach workers about a place in Ballymun run by Father Peter McVerry. So she rang him that night and got me a bed there. I was about 14 yrs old at that time. When I was 13 and the EHB had failed to find me a bed for at least 4 weeks, l found myself living in a squat with people a lot older than me. One day a person at the squat asked me “if I wanted a turn on”. I said yes, just to try it out. After 3 weeks of doing this every day I found myself strung out. I had no money so I started to steal from shops to feed my habit. When I couldn’t get into the shops any more I started to beg which made my habit worse. After a couple of years on drugs I went to Beaumont Hospital for detox, but relapsed. I then found myself in jail, which still didn’t help. When I got out I went straight back on it and started to beg again. By the time I was 20 I had been on and off the streets for about 7 years. I then went into a hostel called Clancy Barracks and got myself on to a clinic, so now I am off the gear. I hope to make the best of it this time. It was very hard living on the streets begging. People look at you as if you were scum, and that made me feel down and as if I couldn’t ever get off the streets. I always wanted to, but the drugs were stronger at the time. Not any more.
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Donor Charter It is our role to see that your concern is turned into positive action to assist people in need. We promise to:
> Use wisely the money that you entrust to us > Keep you informed of what we have done with your gift > Be open to any new ideas or comments > Let you know about any new developments > Ask you how you would like to support our work and honour that.
We would like to acknowledge and thank those who have supported us in our first year:
Homeless Agency
Probation and Welfare Service
The Bewley Foundation
Airways
St Stephens Green Trust
AIB Bank
Society of St Vincent de Paul
Depaul Trust UK
Vincentian Fathers
Daughters of Charity
St Vincent de Paul Dublin Region
Bohemians Football Club
You can contact the fundraising and education team: Tel: (01) 810 2570 Fax: (01) 838 9950 mobile: 086 389 0412 email: e_byrne@depaultrust.net
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