Focus Ireland

“I wrote my Will when I was 21 years old. It may seem like an early age to some, but life took a course that I didn’t expect.” Rita, a dedicated staff member, shared her story about why writing her Will at a young age was one of the most impactful and important decisions in her life, following the sudden loss of her father. She speaks about how you can continue to ensure that your values, and causes that mean the most to you, are supported long into the future. Focus Ireland offers a Free Wills writing service, both in person and online, to people who are interested in writing their Will. To find out more call Assia on 086 103 3130 or visit focusireland.ie/legacy #MyLegacyWillBe #EndHomelessness #IrishCharity

Yesterday was an important day for Focus Ireland. We launched our annual report as we mark what has been achieved in 2023 but also what can be achieved for others.  https://lnkd.in/eu64AjGf

Focus Ireland has launched its Annual Report, showing a 12.5% rise in the number of people it supported in 2023 (18,000 people) compared to 2022 (16,000). The report also showed Focus Ireland helped 1,757 households to either keep their home (657 households) or support their exit from homelessness (1,100) households), an increase of nearly 10% on the previous year (1,598). One person supported by the charity is Lived Experience Ambassador, James Flanagan. Having experienced homelessness as a child with his mother, James reflects on his experience of homelessness, his mother’s journey, his experience within the education system, and why he wishes to use his story to help people going through similar experiences. Watch James' interview with RTE News: https://lnkd.in/g7JAzwRw Special thanks to all who spoke at the launch yesterday, including another of our wonderful LEAPs Al Leahy (pictured with CEO of Focus Ireland, Pat Dennigan). Read the full Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/eHsw95bs #EndHomelessness

Stephanie* moved to Ireland in 2021. She was working in a restaurant in Dublin and in a relationship with an Irish man. However, when she got pregnant, he did not want to be involved. She had been renting a room as a licensee, but when she got pregnant the landlord evicted her and she ended up in emergency accommodation in the city centre. “Focus Ireland have been giving me support, and my first support worker was amazing. She helped me with everything, such as applying to be on the housing list and getting supports. But we have been homeless for a year now and it is incredibly stressful. I am trying my best, but I cannot find anywhere to rent so we are stuck as homeless. It really makes you feel powerless.” Read the full story in our 2023 Annual Report, released today: https://lnkd.in/eHsw95bs *names have been changed in some cases to maintain the privacy of customers wishing to remain anonymous. #EndHomelessness

A few months ago, I had the honor of walking 38 miles for Emilys Gift with a group of incredible individuals for a great cause. That experience taught me that giving is the true path to greatness. A few days ago, I flew to Dublin, Ireland, to be part of Love Button Global Movement Tour Crew, Coldplay 🩵Over four days, as Coldplay played concerts in Dublin, volunteers from around the world came together. I had the pleasure of meeting wonderful people, many of whom are devoted Coldplay fans. Coldplay music is undeniably powerful, what resonates with me even more is the philosophy they embody. One of sustainability, giving and making positive impact in the world🩵 Hospitality is in my blood. I’ve had the privilege of working in five star hotels and fine dining restaurants, where I’ve come to deeply appreciate both the beauty and the challenges of this job. During my time in Dublin, I volunteer for Focus Ireland a charity dedicated to supporting those experiencing homelessness. I was involved in their caffe, where individuals facing homelessness can come for a nutritious meal served with love and dignity. This to is hospitality, caring for people and making them feel valued. The experience was eye opening and I am incredibly grateful for it. On the day I wasn’t serving, I took on a different role, entertaining 😁 as Focus Ireland organised Summer Party for all the guests. I am not sure if the guest or the Focus Ireland team will ever forget version of „Yellow” that my friend Lenka Dobosova and I performed, but I know I WONT ! 😉💪💛 Thank you to Focus Ireland Team and everyone involved for this unforgettable experience. It was a powerful reminder of the impact we can all make when we come together to support one another 💛🙌 And now, special THANK YOU to Garrick Dawson. The head of Love Button Global Movement Tour! Thank you for your TRUST Garrick, and for the opportunity to be part of something huge and obviously for that “extra” special opportunity at the venue🩵 #untilnexttime #loveistheonlywhy

Great to broaden and deepen the work of our #SocialFarmingIreland Network - Social Farming can benefit and enhance the lives of so many people from all walks of life! We look forward to this new journey and delivering great outcomes on our ordinary farms with Focus Ireland #connectingpeople #newopportunities Mental Health Commission IRL Mental Health Commission IRL Mental Health Ireland

If you are interested in joining the Sligo Rovers Football Club sleep out at the Showgrounds on Friday October 11th you can register and start fundraising for Focus Ireland at the link below. The Shine A Light sleep out is a hugely important fundraiser for Focus Ireland who do such vital work in supporting families and individuals impacted by homelessness https://lnkd.in/ew-xXm3v #Bitored | #Since1928

Our families had an incredible sports day Leinster Cricket Club last week, thanks to our wonderful partners Bord Gáis Energy 💛💙 Bord Gáis Energy and Focus Ireland continued the tradition of spending a summer day with our customers - a sports day with games, food and fun for the children. It represents one of the ways we work to give families a break from the everyday stress of living without a permanent place to call home. Thank you to all the volunteers at Bord Gáis Energy for their support of our work to #EndHomelessness in Ireland and to the wonderful families who joined us on the day!

Focus Ireland held a special event today in the Oak Room at the Mansion House in Dublin to mark a very significant policy “win” that will help to keep many at risk households safe in their homes. Since June 4th, the Department of Social Protection now treats all housing payments made to a parent in a separated family as child maintenance payments. This means this payment will be no longer be included for assessment for social welfare benefits as it previously had been and it was clawed back from the person/family’s welfare payment. Focus Ireland has long campaigned for change on this policy and made a detailed submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee highlighting how this policy contributed both to poverty and housing insecurity for separated and separating families (even where a non-custodial parent is paying housing costs). As a result of our campaigning work a family will now be entitled to keep their full social welfare entitlement. While this policy win may seem complicated to those not familiar with such circumstances it will make a massive difference to so many parents and children previously at risk of homelessness and living in poverty. It has been especially welcomed by Women's Aid Ireland and One Family and their respective CEO’s spoke at the event. Both groups were very supportive and helped to change this policy.