Picture: Chief Superintendent Michael Finn, Declan Dunne CEO of Sophia Housing, James Foley Fund Administrator Electric Ireland, Brendan Mills Ag Eisteacht, at Launch of Homeless Initiative 17th Sept 2014, The Centre for Effective Services, Dublin 2
Cork-based charity, Ag Eisteacht, has launched a national training programme to support professionals who work with people experiencing homelessness.
Declan Dunne, CEO of Sophia Housing, was a key note speaker at the event and delivered a speech on the challenges facing staff working in the homeless sector. He said: “The distress our clients are experiencing can’t but affect us. Homeless service care staff are under increasing pressure as they stretch to support the growing needs of vulnerable and homeless people. The question is, if we want to have a career in this sector for 40- 50 years, how are we going to resource and protect ourselves? We need understanding and strategies around how we can support our staff and that is exactly what Ag Eisteacht is offering. We have a responsibility to do this so that our staff can remain, survive and thrive in this sector.”
Chief Superintendent Michael Finn from An Garda Siochana, agreed. He said: ”I have had staff come back from training sessions with Ag Eisteacht and they have been enlightened by it. It makes them aware of when they can interject and make a positive impact. We’ve experienced it, we’ve seen the benefits and we would like and hope to do more of it.”
James Foley, fund administrator for ESB Energy for Generations Fund, sponsors of Ag Eisteacht, said: “Ag Eisteacht is an excellent example of where training and education can lead to higher standards and better outcomes for vulnerable people right across the sector.”
Dr Maeve Hurley, founder and CEO of Ag Eisteacht, said:” Homelessness is a major problem in Ireland and is increasing month-by-month, with staff within this sector facing over-whelming demand on their services. According to Focus Ireland, 40 families were made homeless this August in Dublin alone. Those who are at risk of or experience homelessness will generally interact with a wide variety of organisations, both statutory and voluntary.
“The capacity of the support workers they meet is central to how those service users will cope and manage their experience.
The charity will be rolling out subsidised Brief Encounters® training courses across the country and have scheduled courses in Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Waterford in the coming months. http://www.ageisteacht.com/homelessness.php
