Housing Executive staff box up goodies for homeless

Housing Executive staff Area Manager Claire Crainey, Team Leader Aisling Pyers, and Assistant Area Manager, Niall Fitzpatrick along with Simon Community Senior Practitioner, Margaret Kenefick and Service Manager Marianne McCaul, Women’s Aid Refuge Senior Worker, Tina Henry, and the Housing Executive’s Housing Adviser Diane McCabe and Team Leader Gareth Morgan.

Housing Executive staff from South Down held office collections for two charities as part of Homelessness Awareness Week this month.

Groceries, household items and toiletries were donated by staff in the Newry and Downpatrick offices, as well as members of the public and local businesses.

Newry Women’s Aid and the Simon Community in Newry and Downpatrick received their bundles to help towards their invaluable work with those experiencing homelessness in the local area.

A series of other social and educational events were held across Northern Ireland during the week to challenge stereotypes and raise awareness about homelessness.

Claire Crainey, Housing Executive South Down Area Manager, said: “Our staff work hard on the front line on a daily basis to help people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

“As part of Homelessness Awareness Week, and as we approach the festive period, we wanted to do something practical to help those who are going through one of the toughest times in their lives.

“We are very grateful to Women’s Aid and the Simon Community for their work throughout the year and especially over the festive period which is a difficult time for many.

“Our collaborative approach via various projects allows us to collectively assist people in very difficult circumstances. We hope our donations will be of some practical use to their clients.”

Catherine Carey, the Housing Executive’s Homelessness Strategy Manager, said: “It is important that all the various statutory and voluntary groups go on working together in order to prevent homelessness and to ensure that we provide appropriate support to those households experiencing homelessness.

“Collaborative working is at the heart of our South Down Homelessness Local Area Group and we will continue to raise awareness so that people and communities know what support is available to them and how they can access it.”

Local business that made contributions were Tesco Newry, Asda Downpatrick and Kilkeel, Supervalu Downpatrick, Newcell Ltd, Pure Gym Newry, Cedar Foundation and the Confederation of Community Groups Newry.

Simon Community and Women’s Aid representatives expressed their gratitude and sincere thanks.