Kilkenny's Good Shepherd Centre opens 38 extra Cold Weather Beds across South East
The Good Shepherd Centre has opened 38 extra Cold Weather Response Beds across counties Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary as homelessness pressures grow across the region and temperatures plunge.
Additional beds are activated from November to the end of March in direct response to colder weather. The beds are providing a safe place for people sleeping rough to stay out of the cold.
This is not the first winter of the service but, as the Regional Manager for Homeless Services and Housing Supports with the Good Shepherd Centre, Catherine White explains, there is an increase in beds this year.
She says it’s fantastic news. Many people who don’t usually seek support from homeless services do reach out in cold weather conditions, and these extra resources are a good way to engage with this group, Catherine added.
The expansion of the cold weather beds service is not a service in isolation. In County Tipperary it has led to the opening of an emergency accommodation facility and day services.
“The main thing is to get people off the streets and out of their cars,” Catherine said. “It’s important as we come into the winter to be able to extend the service.”
While the service loves to help, they can’t go above capacity, for the safety of everyone. Unfortunately, in the past, the service regularly reached capacity, so being able to extend the service this year is important, as there was an increase in demand last year.
Catherine pointed out that there are many, complex reasons why people might not avail of or be referred to homeless services. However, with a focus on getting people in out of the cold, she urges anyone who comes across someone sleeping rough, or sleeping in their car, to notify their local garda station or the county council. The Good Shepherd can then send someone out to them, as they may not be aware of the cold weather bed facility. You do not have to approach anyone yourself.
“It’s great knowing we have the beds there and we’re set up for this winter,” Catherine said.
The announcement came as the Good Shepherd Centre launched its Sleepathon for the Homeless.
Noel Sherry, CEO of the Good Shepherd Centre, said the opening of the cold weather beds at the same time as the launch of the Sleepathon for the Homeless is poignant. "These are much needed beds and are a symptom of a continued escalation of people becoming homeless. This is why events like our Sleepathon are so important.”