What We Do

Cork Simon provides the following services:

Youth Homeless Drug Prevention 

The Youth Homeless Drug Prevention Programme offers individually tailored responses to young people (18-26 years) who are marginalised and isolated.

The Youth Homeless Drug Prevention Project operates from the Day Service and is part of the Shelter Day & Outreach team. It is supported by Cork VEC and works closely with other service providers in Cork.

The Youth Homeless Drug Prevention Project operates on a one-to-one basis, offering support, advice and information to young people who are homeless and using, or at risk of using, drugs.

Throughout 2011, the Youth Homeless Drug Prevention Programme supported 61 young people - an increase of 24% compared to the previous year.

Soup Run  

A team of volunteers accompanied by a member of the Outreach Team takes the Soup Run out onto the streets every night of the year. The Soup Run was Cork Simon’s first project 40 years ago and continues to be a key element in addressing homelessness in Cork.

Day & Outreach Team 

The Day & Outreach Team is often the first point of contact for people who may be sleeping rough or living in unsuitable accommodation, such as squats, etc. The team actively seeks out people in such circumstances and offers support, advice, referrals to appropriate services and advocacy where necessary.

Emergency Shelter 

Cork Simon’s Emergency Shelter provides care accommodation and support for 44 men and women on a 24 hour basis every night of the year.  Located on Anderson’s Quay in Cork City Centre, the Emergency Shelter is full every night.  Cork Simon works with other organisations in Cork to ensure there are enough emergency beds so that no one has to sleep rough.

High Support Housing 

Cork Simon has five high-support houses providing high levels of round-the-clock care every night for 52 men and women whose health and other needs are such that they are not able to live independently.  All five houses are staffed on a 24 hour basis by experienced care workers and trained volunteers.

Housing Support Team 

Cork Simon provides housing for twenty-seven people every night in Cork Simon flats throughout Cork.  The Housing Support Team supports people to return to independent-living with ongoing supports for as long as people need them.  People supported by the Housing Support Team have survived homelessness and are on track to rebuilding their lives.  

Health 

Being homeless can make you sick.  Being sick can make you homeless.  Poor mental and physical health is common among people who are homeless.  People who are homeless have mortality rates 3½ to 4 times greater than the housed population.  They have higher morbidity from physical conditions that are common as well as conditions that are rarely found in the general population.

Training & Activities 

Training, education, access to employment and other activities make up some of the key supports for people experiencing homelessness or on the road to leaving homelessness behind them. An Employment and Training Facilitator and an Activities Co-Ordinator work across all projects and services, liaising with external agencies and organisations where necessary, to help ensure people can begin to engage with the wider community and start building quality of life.