Thank you for your messages of support and understanding in these difficult and uncertain times. They are very much appreciated.
The coronavirus crisis is going to bring huge challenges to all of us in the coming weeks and months.
We’re planning and preparing for every eventuality. Our priority is to ensure the health and welfare of people using our services, our staff and volunteers – especially those who may be at risk of a more serious illness if they contract the Covid-19 virus.
We have already reconfigured some of our services to facilitate even better hygiene, infection control and social distancing. We’re making sure everyone using our services has the information they need to protect themselves and others, information that we’re continuously promoting and re-enforcing.
We’re working closely with local public health authorities, Cork City Council and others to put measures in place to deal with any potential Covid-19 cases in our services, making sure that we can react quickly, safely and proactively.
The response to-date to these measures among people using our services and among our staff and volunteer teams has been overwhelmingly positive.
As the crisis develops, we’re adapting as needs be – and will continue to do so. We’ll do our best to keep you updated.
In the meantime, we encourage you to follow government and HSE guidelines for your own protection and those around you.
The commitment and experience of our excellent staff and volunteer teams are key to working through this crisis effectively.
So too is your continuing support – we’ll need you more than we ever have over the weeks and months ahead.
The housing crisis is pushing people into homelessness and preventing people from leaving homelessness. Our Emergency Shelter is overflowing with an average of 60 people per night relying on a Cork Simon emergency bed. People are staying for longer and longer in emergency accommodation because they have no other options. Rents in Cork City increased 5.5% in the last 12 months; Rent Supplement and Housing Assistance Payments do not come near asking rents.
Our Emergency Shelter is located on Anderson’s Quay, in the heart of Cork city centre. The Shelter provides care, accommodation and one-to-one support for 47 people around-the-clock, every day of the year. Demand for emergency beds is high – throughout 2018 the Shelter accommodated an average of 57 people per night – the need for emergency accommodation is so great that we try to accommodate as many people as is safe to do so.
FIND OUT MORE HERE
If you know Cork, you know that we live in a caring community. And that sense of belonging, that feeling of community, was here before all of us – and will be here long after us.
Here at Cork Simon, we are blessed that our supporters have enriched our organisation – and our community – with their generous gifts.
What we’ve achieved, with the amazing support of our donors, represents our community at its very best. Read More
May 26th, 1:27 pm
Cork Simon Community added a button to help you learn more about them.
May 26th, 11:00 am
We're all becoming dab hands these days at using technology to keep in touch - Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype and the like. But these tools are also proving to be a lifesaver for people we're supporting who are in addiction recovery.
“It’s hard at the best of times" says Anne Marie of our Addiction & Aftercare team; "but Covid-19 has brought further challenges” Social distancing and stay-at-home measures ended essential in-person AA and NA meetings. But necessity is the mother of invention, and these social tech tools and other online resources are now being used by many of the people Anne Marie is supporting to attend those meetings - virtually, that are so important in their recovery.
“Boredom is a big factor for people in addiction recovery relapsing, so it is important that we give them a structure to their day. Like many of us, as the weeks roll on, they are finding it more difficult, but we continue to support and encourage them as best we can.”
Creative solutions, resourcefulness and sheer determination are becoming the order of the day - that and your continued generosity and support are proving to be an unbeatable combination.
Believe in People.
May 25th, 8:38 am
This Saturday, Kenny O’Connell will perform a virtual live concert in support of our essential services. Tune in at: www.facebook.com/hibernianhotelmallow/ and donate here: bit.ly/2zhrq01 Your support means so much to every man and woman turning to us for help. A Big thanks and Good Luck to Kenny, Maire, organiser, and all involved with this event - it's sure to be a great show! #BelieveInPeople 🎤🎸
Cork Simon Community organized by Maire Foley
www.gofundme.com
Funds are desperately needed right now by Cork Simon Community.This is a particularly difficult time … Maire Foley needs your support for Cork Simon CommunityMay 24th, 1:13 pm
There's no part of Cork Simon Community that isn't touched by volunteers. They are at the heart and soul of everything we do. And those volunteers that help us raise the vital funds we need for our essential work are sometimes the unsung heroes. So many people organising and hosting so many fundraising events throughout the year; volunteers giving their time, skills and experience week after week supporting the all-important office work. As Caroline in our fundraising office puts it in her video message, it's vital work. As Cork Volunteer Week comes to a close, let's pay tribute to the hundreds of fundraising volunteers for their service, their enthusiasm and their concern for every man and woman experiencing homelessness. They are what makes Cork a city to be proud of.
Believe in Volunteers. #believeinpeople #cvw2020 #RebelResponse Cork Volunteer Centre
May 22nd, 12:10 pm
Cork clearly has its charms. ☺️ Kasia, one of our full-time volunteers, says she’s slowly falling in love with our city. And why wouldn’t she? Over the coming weeks Kasia will be sharing her experiences of volunteering, of life in the shelter and of her experiences as a Kerry woman in Cork in her blog, Kasia’s Diary. In her first video post, Kasia talks about her interest in the issue of homelessness and her plans for her blog. ▶️ Watch the full video here: www.corksimon.ie/kasias-diary/. Believe in Volunteers. #BelieveInPeople #CVW2020 #RebelResponse Cork Volunteer Centre
Well done 👏👏👏👏
Well done 👏👏👏
Hero!
Best of luck
