Homeless organisations encourage public to become ‘ordinary heroes’

A number of leading homeless organisations have urged the public to become ‘ordinary heroes’ to prevent services to vulnerable people from having to shut their doors during the Coronavirus pandemic.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Apr 2020, 13:17 BST
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A range of skills sets and roles are required, including reception and cleaning staff, as well as specialists such as support workers, healthcare workers, and night staff. All positions are paid roles.

The Crisis Cover Initiative, comprised of homeless organisations including Depaul, Extern, First Housing Aid and Support Services (FHASS) and the Simon Community, are asking members of the public with relevant qualifications and experience to add their name to a list of individuals who may be called on to step up where staff levels in services become depleted by personnel having to take time off.

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The initiative to keep ‘vitally important’ services running is supported by the Housing Executive.

Eileen Best, Director of Operations First Housing, and Gerry Burns, Manager of Damien House, pictured along with Jackson Gallagher, Jack Gallagher and Owen McGeehan from St. Joseph’s Boys’ School following a sleep out event in 2019.Eileen Best, Director of Operations First Housing, and Gerry Burns, Manager of Damien House, pictured along with Jackson Gallagher, Jack Gallagher and Owen McGeehan from St. Joseph’s Boys’ School following a sleep out event in 2019.
Eileen Best, Director of Operations First Housing, and Gerry Burns, Manager of Damien House, pictured along with Jackson Gallagher, Jack Gallagher and Owen McGeehan from St. Joseph’s Boys’ School following a sleep out event in 2019.

Gerry Burns, Manager of the FHASS facility Damien House,said that the Coronavirus pandemic is posing a ‘completely unique set of challenges’ for homeless organisations.

“As a residential hostel we have always had challenging working conditions. But this is completely unique.

“ Simple things like social distancing and intoxication are not natural matches, but we are extremely encouraged by how all the residents have responded so far.

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“We are following all the PHA guidelines and there is extra cleaning taking place to protect residents and staff.”

Mr Burns said that in order to continue to provide their services to homeless people FHASS and other homeless organisations have drawn up contingency plans, ‘including making a list of people who can come in to assist if there is an impact on staffing resources.’

“We may see situations where staff have to self-isolate as we are only at the beginning of this journey.

“Our staff have always been heroes and yet again they are doing heroic work in difficult circumstances. It is key for us to have these contingency plans in place for additional resources so we can continue to provide services to the most vulnerable.”

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Mr Burns urged people with any experience in support work, catering or administration work to register.

He added that the posts, which are not suitable for people with underlying health conditions or those who live with people who do, will be paid positions.

For more information or to volunteer visit https://www.crisiscover.ie/