How to Help the Homeless in Ireland
Anyone taking a walk around our towns and cities can see that the growing numbers of homeless people in Ireland are a very real and urgent concern.
The most recent homeless statistics reveal more than 8,000 people in Ireland are homeless.
Those most at risk of homelessness include young people, black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, LGBT people, people leaving prison and care leavers.
If you’re unsure of how to help the homeless in Ireland or want to but don’t know where to start, GoFundMe and the methods listed below can help you raise essential funds for some of society’s most vulnerable people.
Why do people become homeless?
Throughout history, public perceptions of homeless people have often taken an individualistic and critical approach, with many people holding the view that people become homeless through their own “bad decisions” or life choices.
In reality, social causes of homelessness include a lack of affordable housing, unemployment, debt, poverty or an inability to pay the rent.
For others, life events such as the breakdown of a relationship, losing a job, physical or mental health problems or substance misuse can result in homelessness.
According to St Mungo’s, a charity that helps homeless people, “the majority of homeless women are survivors of domestic abuse”.
The reality of life for the homeless
An estimated 79 homeless people died in Ireland last year. This represented a doubling of the death rate of homeless people since 2018.
According to Crisis, a charity that helps the homeless, the average life expectancy for homeless people is just 44 years.
Rough sleepers are almost 17 times more likely to have been a victim of violence, and more than one in three people sleeping on the street have been deliberately assaulted whilst homeless.
How you can help
If you want to know how you can help the homeless in Ireland, we’ve listed some practical suggestions below:
Volunteer your time
Giving your time to charities that help the homeless is an excellent way to offer immediate support to those in need.
Roles include helping at seasonal events, such as Christmas lunches and winter night-shelters, assisting in charity shops, with events or with English-language, cooking or art lessons.
Stop for a chat
Being homeless can be an isolating and alienating experience. Simply stopping to ask a homeless person how they are or offering to buy them a warm drink can help them feel less alone.
Donate essential supplies to your local shelter
Homeless shelters are often in need of basic supplies, such as toiletries, clothing and kitchen supplies. Get in touch with your local shelter to find out their exact needs for a practical way to help the homeless. Click here for more information about services in your local area.
Create an online fundraiser
If you’re short on time, crowdfunding can be an excellent way to help the homeless. Once you’ve created your fundraiser, share it with friends, family and colleagues and ask for their support. To encourage people to give, make sure everyone knows that even a small contribution of a few pounds can make a big difference to a person’s life.
Charities that help the homeless in Ireland
Reputable charities that are passionate about helping the homeless in Ireland include:
Focus Ireland
Founded in 1985 after research into the needs of homeless women in Ireland, the charity now has projects across the country including Sligo and Limerick.
Peter McVerry Trust
The Peter McVerry Trust has been working to end homelessness and the causes of homeless in Ireland for almost forty years.
Help those in need today
However you wish to help the homeless in Ireland, fundraising through GoFundMe is a simple and effective way to have a big impact on some of society’s most vulnerable people. Sign up today and start making a difference.
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