Wednesday July 8 2015: The RTE broadcaster Claire Byrne has agreed to become an ambassador for Daisyhouse Housing Association, a non-Government Funded charity which provides safe Supported Temporary Accommodation and uniquely tailored Personal Support Programmes for women who are experiencing homelessness for 18 month periods.
Ms Byrne will champion the cause of Daisyhouse and of the vulnerable women who use its services, as they seek to grow public support and to raise funds. Daisyhouse works with women who have faced extraordinary difficulties in their lives, helping them rebuild their lives and supporting them to live full, productive and happy lives aid Ms Byrne. I am honoured and excited to be part of Daisyhouse. I have met the women who live there and their commitment and strength is truly inspiring. I am looking forward to many years of partnership with them and Daisyhouse.’
Daisyhouse provides safe Supported Temporary Accommodation to 15 women at any one time, and provides uniquely tailored Personal Support Programmes that empowers them and enables them to move onto permanent independent sustainable living. This includes care, respect, nurturing, a safe space and time, counseling, guidance on budgeting, life skills, mental health support, further education options, and advice on how to access services etc. Daisyhouse also provides permanent social housing for 5 men and 7 women.
According to the CEO of Daisyhouse Orla Gilroy: We are thrilled to have a person of Claire’s standing as an ambassador. We are hugely grateful for the deep interest she has shown in our work and for the time she has devoted to developing a deep understanding of the issues facing those who use our services, and the work we do to support them. She has really embraced us and we are deeply grateful for that. Her involvement with Daisyhouse will
boost our profile and grow awareness of the importance of the work we do.
Text DAISYHOUSE to 50300 to donate €4. Text cost goes to Daisyhouse Housing Association across most network operators. Some providers apply VAT which means that a minimum of €3.25 will go to Daisyhouse Housing Association. Service provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 0766805278
Photos by Marc O’Sullivan.
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For further information contact:
Mark Brennock 087 2335923
Notes to editors:
- Daisyhouse Housing Association is a voluntary housing charity providing supported temporary accommodation to women experiencing homelessness. Daisyhouse was founded by the late Sr Una McCourtney CSJP (1935-1996). Sr Una was Principal of a School in Washington State, USA for many years before returning to Ireland to work with people experiencing homelessness and women fleeing domestic abuse. With the help of her sister Eilish, the then Senator, and former President, Mary Robinson and Ita Kelly, a property was found in Dublin 8 and Sr Una opened up a new service for single homeless women. Out of this experience, Daisyhouse was born in 1989.
- People become homeless for a variety of reasons including addiction, domestic violence, sexual abuse, sexual violence, trafficking, ill health, relationship breakdown or loss of income. When this happens, they need time and space where they can recover from the trauma of their experiences, feel safe and secure and, in time, move forward with their lives. Daisyhouse provides the time, space and support to heal.
Daisyhouse service users are:
- Empowered to do more for themselves
- Encouraged to examine and address issues which may have contributed to their homelessness
- Helped to develop their capacity to live independently in the future so that when they are housed on a long-term basis, they will need little or no support.