The National Office
While each Simon Community is autonomous and is responsible for financing and running its own projects, all Communities work closely together, based on an affiliation agreement. The National Office, based in Dublin, acts in a co-ordinating and support role.
The National Office is governed by a Board, which is made up of a representative from each of the local Simon Communities and outside members with expertise from different related fields.
Our collective work is embodied in our National Strategy, Ending Homelessness - Creating Homes. (click here for pdf)
This strategy prioritises the following areas of work:
- Prevention - Developing and testing effective ways of reducing the number of people becoming homeless
- Campaigning - Effecting changes in economic and social policy in Ireland that will contribute to the elimination of homelessness and its causes
- Creating Homes- Enabling the people who come in contact with our services and projects to move as soon as possible to an appropriate place they can call home
- Strengthening Simon - Increasing our capability to achieve our objectives
Some of the projects that will be undertaken as part of our shared strategy click here
The National Office concentrates on the following areas on behalf of the 8 Communities:
Housing
The Housing Development Manager is facilitating the development of move-on accommodation for people who are homeless across the country on behalf of the local Simon Communities.
Volunteer Recruitment
Volunteers bring vitality and empathy and help promote a sense of community. The Volunteer Recruitment Co-ordinator supports the work of the local Communities by recruiting and supporting "full time volunteers" to meet the needs of each local Simon Community.
Best Practice
Our Best Practice Co-ordinator works on the key areas of internal service auditing, dissemination of best practice and training to ensure quality of service delivery in local Communities.
Fundraising
We need continual and considerable financial support from the public to be able to provide all of our services. The Fundraising Manager ensures targets are met and costs are kept to a minimum.
Campaigning
Our National Research and Campaigns Manager helps ensure that the Federation is represented in all major decision-making policy forums. Campaigning work includes research, lobbying, social policy development and education.