Who We Are

John's* Story

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"It’s very simple. If you are homeless you need a home” 
These words of wisdom came from a Midlands Simon resident when he was asked about what he needed most. 
 
John closed his front door behind him and started to prepare dinner.  He smiled to himself as he did so. This was John’s idea of a perfect evening. Things had changed so much for him in the last year. He thought back over the last 12 months and remembered how different his life was then. If he had been told last Christmas, that he would have a home and be able to cook for himself, he would have laughed – and then cried. “What a difference a year makes” he thought. 

He remembered last Christmas and how he spent it on his own, with no hope or belief that things would ever change or improve for him. He remembered how lonely and isolated he felt and the thought that no one else cared made him believe that he was worth nothing. 

Last January 2012, he moved into the Midlands Simon Community Emergency Accommodation Service and felt that this might be the beginning of a fresh start for him, but he never imagined that he could turn his whole life around. In the beginning it was hard. He also found it strange to be treated with respect and looked at as an equal but bit by bit over the months, he regained a lot of self-confidence and began to believe in himself again. It began by him saving a little amount every week and getting support for other areas in life that caused him trouble in the past. John found it difficult at first to talk about things from the past that had caused him pain, but in doing so, resolved a lot of anxiety and pressure he had been feeling for years. 

With continued help and support from the staff members in the Emergency Accommodation Service, John did something that he never thought possible. He achieved his goal. As he placed his dinner on the kitchen table and began to eat, he thought to himself, "you can achieve anything when you are given the opportunity, the support and the confidence to believe in yourself”.

We have been able to help John because people in the Midlands Region of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath have stuck with us and refused to give up on people like John.

*Names have been changed to respect the privacy of our clients
What is Homelessness?

Homelessness is about a lack of belonging, a lack of security and a lack of safety. Individuals who use our services are from lots of different backgrounds. We support people in addressing the issues that have caused them to find themselves homeless. We help people to move on and find long-term accommodation. For our Service Users this is a chance for a new beginning and a fresh start.

Please show your support for the homeless services in the Midlands and help someone in your community on their pathway out of homelessness with a kind donation.