Press Releases 2011

Press Releases 2011

Joy in Opera Lane - 200 take part in flash mob for Cork Simon 

Submitted by Sophie on Mon, 19/12/2011 - 12:34
Date: 
19 December / 2011

An impromptu, open-air performance of Joy to the World by over 200 carol singers from across the county stopped shoppers in their tracks on Opera Lane yesterday.

Music groups ‘Cantabile Vocal Ensemble’ and ‘Cantairí Mhuscraí, Ballincollig’ got the action going singing carols on the busy shopping street while scores of individuals, positioned up and down Opera Lane, to the surprise of passers-by joined the two music groups for their final carol, filling the thronged shopping street with a powerful, mass rendition of Joy to the World.

The Christmas Carol Fash Mob, organised by Musical Director, Mary O’Brien represented the final event this year to mark Cork Simon’s 40th Anniversary.

UCC students show solidrity for Cork Simon with mash up on Patrick St. 

Submitted by Sophie on Wed, 14/12/2011 - 12:32
Date: 
14 December / 2011

Christmas shoppers on Cork City’s Patrick’s Street were treated to a series of surprise events by UCC students on Saturday afternoon, helping to raise awareness of people who are homeless and to mark Cork Simon Community’s 40th anniversary.

Termed the ‘The Cork Simon Street Mash Up’, the impromptu events consisting of dance, rock and choir performances brought together up to 60 students from five different University College Cork clubs and societies.

A StreetSmart way to help people who are homeless this Christmas 

Submitted by Paul on Thu, 01/12/2011 - 12:22
Date: 
1 December / 2011

Two euro doesn’t buy much these days. But there’s power in numbers and all those two euros donated by individuals through StreetSmart over the last six years has amounted to over €34,000 being raised in support of people who are homeless in Cork.

From December 1st, StreetSmart kicks into action again across Cork city and county for the seventh year in a bid to raise funds for Good Shepherd Services and Cork Simon Community.

Minister Hogan Officially Opens Three Bed Extension Addressing Cork’s Long Term Homeless Issue  

Submitted by Sophie on Thu, 24/11/2011 - 12:19
Date: 
24 November / 2011

In contrast to Dublin where rough sleeping was highlighted this week as a “serious issue”, there are currently enough beds in Cork so that no one needs to sleep rough.

Attention in Cork is now turning to addressing a growing problem of long term homelessness – defined by the Government as stays of six months or longer in emergency accommodation.

Today (Friday 25 November), Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan officially opened a three bed extension at Cork Simon Community’s high support house, Clanmornin House, which goes some way to addressing long-term homelessness in Cork.

Cork Simon Santa Stamp Appeal Celebrates its Fifth Birthday As The North Pole Prepares For Bumper Deliveries 

Submitted by Sophie on Mon, 14/11/2011 - 12:24
Date: 
14 November / 2011

The North Pole Post Office is preparing for bumper deliveries of Cork Simon Santa Stamp Envelopes following news that 60 primary schools across Cork city and county have already signed up to the Santa Stamp Appeal – almost double the number registered this time last year.

Over 7,000 Santa Stamp Envelopes winged their way from the South of Ireland to the North Pole last Christmas. The number is expected to rise this year and it’s no surprise as the special €1 envelopes guarantee express delivery of those all important letters to the busy North Pole Post Office. The entire proceeds of the appeal will also guarantee support for people who are homeless in Cork this Christmas.

Cork Simon Willingly Encourages Legacies This Week 

Submitted by Sophie on Tue, 01/11/2011 - 13:08
Date: 
17 October / 2011

The Best Will in the World Week takes place this week and Cork Simon Community is encouraging people to take part by availing of the opportunity to draft or update their will with a local solicitor for just €50 and to consider leaving a donation to Cork Simon in their will.

Organised by My Legacy, a joint initiative of over 60 Irish charities, the inaugural Best Will in the World Week, runs this week from October 17th to 21st, 2011.

The Best Will in the World Week offers people the chance to avail of professional, impartial advice on their will from participating solicitors and makes establishing a charitable legacy, easy and accessible.

Deputy Lord Mayor takes time out to officially seal Cork Simon’s 40th Anniversary Time Capsule.  

Submitted by Sophie on Tue, 01/11/2011 - 13:05
Date: 
7 October / 2011

Residents, neighbours and volunteers of Cork Simon joined the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Ken O’Flynn today for the official sealing of Cork Simon’s 40 year time capsule.

Part of Simon Week 2011 and marking Cork Simon’s 40th Anniversary, the time capsule will remain sealed for 40 years, until 2051.

The official sealing of the capsule, performed by Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Ken O’Flynn, took place in the garden of Cork Simon’s oldest high support houses, Clanmornin House on Boreenmanna Road. Home to eleven men and women who require round-the-clock care, Clanmornin House was extended in June 2011 with support from the government in tandem with Cork City and County Councils and HSE, to provide three extra beds for people who are homeless.

John Spillane launches 'Songs From D Block' and Simon's Music Group, The Claddagh Rogues, give rousing performance.  

Submitted by Sophie on Tue, 01/11/2011 - 13:00
Date: 
6 October / 2011

Members of Cork Simon’s music group, The Claddagh Rogues, rose the roof at Triskel Christchurch today (Thursday 06 October) when they performed songs from their new album. The lunchtime performance marked the launch of The Claddagh Rogues second album, entitled Songs From D Block, by Cork singer-songwriter, John Spillane.

Compered by renowned Cork musician and broadcaster, Evelyn Grant, the performance formed part of Simon Week 2011.

Alan Maguire and Frank Flynn from Cork Simon’s drama group, Breakaway Theatre, kick-started proceedings with an exert from Harold Pinter’s play, Precisely, followed by a poetry recital by Alan Maguire of three of his original works.

Self Harm, Attempted Suicide and Depression among the major Challenges facing Women who are Homeless in Cork.  

Submitted by Sophie on Tue, 01/11/2011 - 12:52
Date: 
5 October / 2011

Good Shepherd Services and Cork Simon Community today (05 October) published the findings of their joint Health Snapshot Survey of women using their respective homeless services.

Women’s Health and Homelessness in Cork found that women who are homeless in Cork – and those at risk, have very high rates of self-harm and attempted suicide. High rates of poor mental and physical health and problem alcohol and drug use were also recorded - in many cases, people suffered from a combination of two or more of these conditions.

Robert Ballagh Unveils Cork Simon’s Big Four-O Art Banner, Kick Starting Simon Week 2011.  

Submitted by Sophie on Tue, 01/11/2011 - 12:50
Date: 
3 October / 2011

Launching Simon Week 2011 and marking 40 years of Cork Simon, artist Robert Ballagh today unveiled Cork Simon’s 18-meter long Big Four-O Community Art Banner from South Mall.

The Big Four-O Art Banner is the result of a large-scale community art project that took place at Cork Simon houses and projects this summer. Involving twenty-eight workshops over seven weeks, the project brought together forty-four Cork Simon residents and twenty volunteer facilitators, including artists and art therapists.