Suaimhneas

Suaimhneas in Limerick aims to provide emergency accommodation for homeless women with their children that is safe, welcoming, family centred and homely. We offer support, information and resources which respect individual needs and enable families to move progressively towards re-housing. The centre was opened in November 2002 to combat the growing numbers of homeless women and their children who were left with no other alternative than staying in a bed and breakfast. Suaimhneas is managed by Respond Housing Association and funded by the Health Service Executive (Mid Western Area) and Limerick City Council.

Accommodation and facilities:
Suaimhneas provides families with a communal living environment with shared faciliites including:

  • Full kitchen and dining area
  • Laundry facilities
  • Playroom
  • Parent’s lounge
  • Payphone

Each family is assigned their own bedroom, with bedding and towels. Bedrooms include:

  • One double bed and 3 single beds
  • En-suite bathrooms
  • Television, fridge, wardrobes etc

Services:
Our focus is to assist families with their re-housing, while providing families with support, information and resources

  • Each family is assigned a keyworker. A Care Plan for the family is established, based on their individual needs, while the primary focus is on the family’s re-housing
  • Several in-house programmes are offered to families, including health and hygiene, cookery classes and personal development
  • Suaimhneas assists families in accessing external supports including:
    * Homeless Persons Centre (Resettlement Officer, Sustainment Officer, Community Welfare Officers, Homeless Public Health Nurse)
    * Health and medical services
    * Social workers
    * Money Advice & Budgeting Services (MABS)
    * Barnardos
    * Parent Support Programme / Community Mothers
    * Counselling services
    * Drug and alcohol treatment
  • Suaimhneas offers families in Outreach Support service for a period of 1-3 months when they move on from Suaimhneas. This can be extended if required based on the needs of each individual family. Suaimhneas recognises that the transition from hostel accommodation to independent housing can be challenging and the Outreach Support Service aims to ease this transition.

Staffing:
Suaimhneas is staffed 24 hours a day by a team of dedicated and caring staff

Admissions and Referrals:
Suaimhneas provides short-term emergency accommodation for homeless women (aged 18+) with their own children. Children must be under age 18 (boys 12 and under). Suaimhneas accepts referrals from:

  • Homeless Persons Centre Staff
  • Inter-agency (other hostels)
  • Community Welfare Officers
  • Social Workers
  • Self-referrals

Families must agree to actively work towards their re-housing and to respect and comply with the “Family Agreement” and conditions of residency at Suaimhneas.