Extended daytime support hours come into effect today for the Good Shepherd Centre’s Clonmel Homeless Service.
Currently operating overnight from 9pm to 1pm daily, it’s now open until 5pm each day providing additional support and engagement opportunities for those who are homeless in South Tipperary.
This builds on significant growth in the organisation’s Clonmel operations, where emergency accommodation stands at 16, alongside the provision of five additional Cold Weather Initiative beds during periods of severe weather.
GSC is also looking at two other venues for cold weather beds in Tipperary to cater for homeless people in the county this winter.
Noel Sherry, CEO of the Good Shepherd Centre Clonmel, said: “This is an important milestone for homelessness services in Clonmel. Extending our day service to 5pm will allow us to provide greater support, more one-to-one engagement and improved access to the services people need to rebuild their lives.
He adds; “We know that homelessness is rarely just about a lack of accommodation. Many people are dealing with complex challenges including mental health difficulties, addiction, social isolation and financial hardship. Longer opening hours mean we can provide more practical support and spend more time helping people move towards stable housing.”
And Mr Sherry also notes; “We are currently working to secure the funding required to develop the service into a full 24-hour operation and we are hopeful this will be achieved by December.”
The Good Shepherd Centre supports individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness across eight counties, including Carlow and Kilkenny, and now employs almost 90 staff delivering frontline housing, homelessness prevention and support services.
The organisation said the extension of opening hours reflects its commitment to ensuring Tipperary people experiencing homelessness have access to the support, dignity and stability they need to move beyond crisis and towards a place to call home.
