Over 150 people slept under the stars at the Stormont Estate last Friday night as part of Simon Community’s annual One Big Sleep Out event to raise vital funds and awareness of the homelessness crisis.
Included were a number of Belfast Telegraph staff, who have been raising money for the Simon Community through a number of JustGiving channels. You can donate to one of those here.
Founded in 1971, Simon Community was set up to provide a soup run for rough sleepers across Belfast city centre.
The One Big Sleep Out event — which is now in its 6th year — was set up to challenge stigmas around homelessness.
On the night, participants held torches high to shine a light on the issue. The scene featured a sofa representing the thousands of people who are ‘hidden homeless’ – sofa surfing, moving around B&Bs or sleeping in cars.
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And as the nature of homelessness has changed over the years, so has the work of the Simon Community.
Organisation staff told those gathered on the night how their duties have changed: from helping clients with deposits for homes to simply sitting and talking and listening to them.
The charity even began purchasing properties a few years ago. It has bought, or has sales agreed on, 22 properties, and aims to have 300 owned or managed homes by 2027.
Among those who took part on the night, Eoin Brannigan, Editor-in-Chief of the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life, said: “Homelessness is a problem which has mushroomed over the last few years, with one in 33 people in Northern Ireland now homeless.
“Listening to Simon staff speak with passion about what they do and the challenges they face was a humbling experience. They are making a real difference to people’s lives, in ways that many in society don’t realise.
The four of us – myself, Sam McBride, Liam Tunney and Kevin Scott – are happy to leave our comfort zones for one night to raise some money and, as importantly, spread awareness around the issue.”
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Simon Community chief Jim Dennison added: “The Simon Community has been on the frontline in tackling homelessness in Northern Ireland for over 50 years, but the demand for our services is escalating every single week.
“By working together, we can continue to reach families and individuals who need our help and break the cycle of homelessness for good.
“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone here tonight and to all our supporters across Northern Ireland. By working together we can continue to reach families and individuals who need our help and break the cycle of homelessness for good.”