Since Depaul’s inception we have delivered specialist services in line with our values as an organisation. Over the last decade we have been a voice and a place of comfort for those most in need in our society. We have stepped up when emergencies have arisen and taken chances to provide the best possible services and outcomes for our service users. As we move into a new strategic cycle this document will outline Depaul’s declaration of intent in supporting vulnerable people experiencing homelessness.
In the last 10 years’ homelessness has grown exponentially, particularly in the Republic of Ireland. Across both jurisdictions more people are experiencing homelessness than ever before. Many parts of society have now been affected. Depaul stepped up and met this challenge head on. We provided emergency accommodation when it was needed most, at the peak managing over 200 emergency beds. Through advocacy and partnership, we have reduced this number greatly. We believe there is a better way to meet the needs of those experiencing or at risk of homelessness on the island of Ireland.
However, as we move into a new cycle so too must our focus. Depaul believes services and interventions require greater balance. As an organisation we will work toward this. The overreliance on temporary and emergency accommodations must change. There needs to be a shift toward more prevention, community and housing-led services. This is something Depaul will strive for over the next number of years through this strategic plan.
Depaul believes there should be a greater emphasis on preventing homelessness as we progress. Services which provide a focus on prevention will not only stop homelessness but will also prevent other negative elements that come with homelessness. For example, anxiety, stress, poor mental health and poor health outcomes. Keeping people in their homes and in their communities is essential.
After years of hard work and planning, the foundations have been laid and now it is time to build upon them. To help build up our service users and the options for each one of them to move away from homelessness. In this respect the role of Depaul Housing and our housing-led service models will be pivotal. We have created Depaul Housing to pioneer long term housing options for people who use our services. The potential to support our Depaul service users is vast and it is our duty to realise this potential. Our housing- led approaches will work to support our mission of ending homelessness for vulnerable people. We believe we can transform more lives through Depaul Housing and housing-led work in the coming years.
Both Ireland and Northern Ireland are changing places, where homelessness can be felt across all parts of society. As an organisation Depaul must be vigilant. As we move forward we commit to taking a greater role in advocating for those we support, for the most complex individuals experiencing homelessness. In this respect Depaul plan to use our voice and expertise more to advocate for those we support, and work to drive change across our society.
We will continue to innovate, something Depaul has always been good at. Throughout our last strategic cycle, we have created pioneering services that work with the most marginalised people in society. We believe to truly make an impactful change, we need to identify trends around homelessness and in turn understand the need to innovate and diversify our service delivery. Through key partnerships and building relations we have made a real impact in many new areas. Diversity within our service delivery will continue to be an objective as we move forward.
We believe that our strategic vision outlined in this document will have a lasting impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Depaul has always been there for those on the margins of society and we will continue that tradition.
Depaul, established in 2002 in Ireland and 2005 in Northern Ireland is a leading cross-border organisation. We opened our first service in Dublin to provide specialist support to those who are vulnerable and marginalised in society.
We offer support and guidance to break the cycle of homelessness, and assist our service users in making positive choices for their future. Depaul believes homelessness has no place.
Our vision is one of a society in which everyone, across the world, has a place to call home and a stake in their community.
Our mission is to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it.
We celebrate the potential of people.
We put our words into action.
We aim to take a wider role in civil society. We believe in rights and responsibilities.
Depaul currently provides over 30 services across Ireland and Northern Ireland to families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
These services are provided under 5 main categories:
Prevention
Families & Young People
High Support Accommodation
Health & Rehabilitation
Housing
The plan was guided and approved by the Depaul Board of Trustees following consultation with a number of internal and external stakeholders. The feedback from these consultations has resulted in the development of a strategic plan that will carry us forward from 2021- 2023. This plan will be supported by strategic key performance indicators as well as annual business plans that align with each theme and will be reviewed on a regular basis by the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
As Depaul’s services continue to expand and adapt according to the presenting needs of our service users and the issues surrounding homelessness, we reflect on the journey of our services.
From laying the foundations with our traditional
Low Threshold Services…
…to stepping up by building Specialised Services centred around meeting unique needs…
…to now building permanent solutions
in our approach to Housing-led Services.
At each stage of the journey, our focus has remained consistent – the needs of our service users remains at the core of service provision. We will continue to provide services in each of these areas during our 2021 – 2023 strategic cycle once they remain relevant to the needs of our service users.
Our services can now be classified into 3 areas, considered our Service Typology:
Low Threshold Services
We will continue to do what we do well. We have a foundation of low threshold services specialising and targeting those most in need and with the most complex issues. Where services remain relevant in terms of need, Depaul will continue to respond & provide. These will include subsistence and basic shelter but must be within the context of progression of the individual and societal need.
Specialised Services
We will provide services that are specialised in nature. People who experience homelessness and are at risk of homelessness are not a homogenous group. We wish to build on what we have learned and achieved in providing specialist services to date. We will continue our innovative approach to meet needs in a changing society and deliver quality and diverse services to people who are hard to reach.
Housing-led Services
All services will be developed with the specific objective of providing housing solutions and long term housing options for those experiencing homelessness and for supporting people within housing. This will be conducted using housing-led, and housing first approaches and working directly within communities. Depaul will also grow its role as a housing provider through Depaul Housing, where possible aiming towards those with the greatest and most complex needs.
The 2021 – 2023 Strategic Plan will centre around 5 main themes, each of which represents an area within the organisation which will drive change during the lifetime of this strategic plan.
This plan is accompanied by year on year actions and key performance indicators that will outline actions we will take and how we will monitor our progress.
Dublin
18 Nicholas Street, Dublin 8,
D08 VCP7
Charity Registration Number: 20048938
CHY Number: CHY14753
Belfast
449 Antrim Road,
Belfast,
BT15 3BJ
Charity Registration Number: 102995
CHY Number: XR87991
Auditor: Crowe
Solicitor: A&L Goodbody
John Murphy
Chair
Laurence Tuomey
Secretary
Paul Stanley
Treasurer
David Lane
Jennifer Lee
Joseph Loftus
Sr. Margaret O’Donovan
Mary Leonard
Michael Murphy
Paddie Blaney
Paul White
David Carroll
Chief Executive Officer