We met Patrick about a week after our given deadline from our private landlord to vacate the property my family had been living in in West Cork for the past 8 years. We were being faced with the increasing and very real possibility of being made homeless. We had been renting under the council’s RAS scheme and our landlady had to sell the property in which we were living. At that time there were no available council houses and there was nothing at all on the private rented market. Buying was out of the question and so we did not know what to do.

We turned to NOVAS for help. Patrick met with us and heard our story. He helped us explore every avenue, sending us weekly lists of possible properties in our area and liaising with the county council trying to move them on to fulfill their obligation (stated in the RAS agreement) to house us.

What was most important to our family was not just that we had a roof over our heads, but that we could remain in our community. The children had all been brought up here in Courtmacsherry. Indeed three of them had been home birthed right there in the village. The older children attended the local national school where they were happy and thriving and the whole family was part of the school community, actively participating in and contributing to school life. The older children’s biological father lived in the next village, this allowed them to maintain a close relationship with him and regular access times of 3 to 4 visits a week. My partner Garry had been a volunteer lifeboat crew member with the Courtmacsherry Harbour Lifeboat for the past 10 years, this required him to live within a close proximity to the station to enable him to attend shouts. And I was a volunteer at the community shop.

As Garry and I are not originally from the area, we had spent the previous 8 years making firm friendships and building a community around us in the true sense of the word that gave us the support and help we needed during difficult times. People with whom we shared the highs and lows of life. For us loosing our home meant that we stood to loose all of that too, and it meant that a small rural village would loose a large family of active, contributing members.

During our meetings with Patrick from NOVAS, he really heard this. The human side of our story. The side that the council housing department don’t have time to listen to. The side that central government didn’t seem to understand. Writing his report, which he later submitted to the council in support for an application for a council house that eventually did become available, this is what he brought to the forefront. It made us a family believe that we were doing the right thing in trying to stay within our community, rather than allowing ourselves to be moved just anywhere in order to be housed.

It is so wonderful that NOVAS as an organisation really understand and support people in their communities. We were made to feel an important and valued part of our village, not a drain, a burden, a problem that needed to be solved. NOVAS understood what it meant to us and our children’s mental and emotional well being to stay rooted in a place. That we have the right to feel that way despite not having the money to buy property there. That we have the right to have a home in the truest, widest sense of the word.

This belief, this support and this encouragement gave us the strength to carry on and several months later we were housed by the council in the most beautiful house, right in the heart of our community. We have lived here for nearly a year now and everyday we give thanks for it and for the life we can live because of it and the start in life that we want to give our children.

Laura Whelan and Garry Barrett

I came to McGarry House in 2013, having battled addiction and homelessness for a number of years. I had been in other hostels previously but had been asked to leave over non-payment of rent…all my money had been going to fund my addiction. I started taking heroin at the age of 18 and found that it allowed me an escape from the pressures and worries of life and soon fell into addiction, which followed me for 11 years. In that time, I have seen friends and family also fall into addiction as a way to escape their reality. Some of these friends are no longer with me today through suicide and overdose…the drug we started using to make life easier was in turn making everything much worse. The reality we were trying to escape had found us again and every day became a struggle to hide from life through more drug taking.

Having witnessed a friends’ overdose, and following an overdose myself, I knew this wasn’t the way I wanted to continue my life. But I was in so deep, I couldn’t see a way out. Seeing your friend overdose, literally watching them fighting for life and being unable to respond, waiting for emergency services to arrive is the most helpless situation anyone can be placed in. I didn’t like that feeling and I didn’t want to be the cause of that feeling for anybody else. It was soon after that event that the staff in McGarry House approached us with the idea of training residents with the skills to prevent and respond to overdose, the TOPPLE programme. I thought this was a great chance for me to help others, not realising how much this programme would help me.We were trained in how to prevent overdose by recognising signs of risky behaviour with drug taking, trained in how to respond to overdose with scene safety, CPR and naloxone administration and also how to communicate properly with emergency services to allow them carry out their job as efficiently as possible. They also taught us how to talk to somebody after they have had an overdose – not being judgemental, offering support and being a shoulder to lean on if needed, as well as pointing them in the direction of services that can help.

Having completed my training my response to overdoses is now a lot calmer as I know I have been given the skills I need.The helplessness I once felt has been replaced with confidence in my own ability to respond. I graduated as a peer overdose worker three years ago and now feel confident that when an overdose might occur that I can put my skills to use and do all I can to help save a life. The TOPPLE programme gave me back hope that I would beat my own addiction and someday help others in the position I found myself in. I’m now three years clean from heroin, something I could never have imagined before the TOPPLE programme.

I am reunited with my partner and children and I am also studying addiction, so I can put my life experience together with academic learning to help people fight their addiction and not fall deeper into it like I did. I had used drugs to run away from all my problems not realising I was creating those same problems for my own kids, what I was trying to escape I was creating. I believe had the staff in McGarry House saw in us, things we couldn’t see in ourselves. They believed we were ‘more than just addicts’. I wouldn’t have had the ability to climb out of the hole I had dug so deep, without their support, friendship and trust in me. Their belief in me made me believe in myself. For that I will always be grateful. They helped me get back my life so one day I can help somebody get back theirs.

I moved into the Brother Russell House almost 18 months ago from another service in the Limerick area. I can come and go as I please and I can make my bedroom my own. I was also allowed to move in beside my friend and we spend a lot of time together. I love having my own bedroom and bathroom where I can hang all my own artwork up on the walls.
I have the opportunity of participating in art class twice a week and last year my paintings were exhibited in an art exhibition in Brother Russell.
Since moving here, I have met a befriender that visits me every week. She also attended the art exhibition and she sometimes does art with me too. We sometimes go out on trips as well.
The staff here often bring me out on trips as well. They brought me to the beach in Kilkee during the summer and, at 76 years of age, it was my first time ever at the beach. The staff drew my name on the sand and we took photos to celebrate the day.
I have made friends here and I now have more contact with my family. I am happy.

I became homeless in 2016 when I had to leave my father’s house due to overcrowding; myself and my two small children were sleeping in one room. We were not able to source private rented accommodation and ended up staying in various B&B’s for 12 weeks. This was a horrible experience; my younger child was only a few months old at the time and suffered from colic. It was very difficult for all of us. There was no fridge or no microwave.I had no way of heating bottles or cooking a meal for my older child.

After 12 weeks of living like that NOVAS offered us short term accommodation in one of their apartments. This was so such better than living in one bedroom. There were cooking facilities and my key working helped me with the basic things like food, a kettle, toaster, cutlery, bedding and was there to support us with anything we needed.

After about a month living here, they supported me to secure a three-bedroom house in the private rented market. They liaised with the landlord to support this move. I was thrilled and jumped at the chance. I could not stop smiling for three weeks. We absolutely love the house. There is a lot of space and a big garden. We are very happy here. What more could you ask for?

Mark, a Housing First client, has kindly shared his story of being homeless and the positive impact of NOVAS’ Housing First programme on his life:

‘For a long time I had no place to call home. I slept rough in graveyards around Limerick and went from one hostel to another. It was awful…not just for the obvious reasons of being cold and hungry but I didn’t feel good about myself and my health deteriorated.

When I joined NOVAS’ Housing First programme I didn’t know what to expect, I certainly did not expect what I have today. My keyworkers talked me through the process and helped me gain an apartment of my own. They supported me in living independently again and they still provide that support now when I need it.

Since then my life has been completely different. I have a place to call home, a place where I feel comfortable, a place where I feel safe and where my children and family can come and visit me. It has not only helped me with confidence and gaining my independence back but my self-esteem. I am proud of myself and I know my family are proud of me too.

Having a place of my own where I can hang up my photographs and cook my own meals and be myself feels really good. I feel like I am part of the community again. I am now doing things for myself that I could not have before and that is a good feeling…’

Veronica was living in NOVAS’ Abigail Centre and previously Mount Brown. With the support of our Resettlement Officer, she has managed to secure and maintain her own accommodation and is loving living independently. Here she courageously shares her story:

I first arrived to NOVAS Mount Brown in 2013. I had to leave my property previous to this and at first stayed with my ex-partner’s family. I stayed with them for a while but there was not enough space for his family and me and I then had to present myself to Parkgate Street where they help people who are homeless. I was then placed in Mount Brown.

At first I was anxious as I had never been in homeless accommodation before but I was sharing with a nice lady which made me feel more at ease because we got on very well. I also had great support at this time, I was involved with St. Micheal’s House and attending the Le Cheile programme for a few years. I was involved with Meals on Wheels through my CE Scheme, which gave me structure to my day and something to do. NOVAS then moved to the Abigail Centre in December 2014, and from there I went and got my own room. I worked with my keyworkers at this time and decided to enroll in the National Learning Network in Phibsboro. I began a course called fresh start for nine months.

After that finished I wanted to go on to complete a FETAC Level 4 in Catering, I always enjoyed working in kitchens. I started in August 2016, I really enjoy this course as I get to spend three days a week on work experience doing practical work. My first work placement began in Temple Street Children’s Hospital last year, I really enjoyed this except for the early mornings!

When I would finish my day in the National Learning Network I would return to the Abigail Centre and participated in the CDETB classes. I enjoyed the Hub classes, in this we got to enjoy a weekly film club and also worked on our CV’s. We also participated in group work which mainly focused on the Abigail Newsletter. I really enjoyed this and wrote different pieces each month. I wrote in some smoothie menu’s that I learned from the chef’s in the kitchen in Temple Street, and made my own crossword along with other pieces. I also done the gardening with Claire on a Friday. I also participated in the cooking classes in the Abigail Centre, I found this helpful as we made food that I liked and that I knew I would make myself in my own apartment.

Since I’ve moved into my apartment, I have found the cooking to come in handy as I have been cooking stews and making potato croquettes which I learned in the Abigail Centre. I am now finally back living in my own apartment after four years with NOVAS. At first I was a bit nervous as it has been a while since I lived independently, but I know I have the supports around me when I need it through the resettlement worker and other services that I am linked in with. Since I have moved out, I have achieved one of the main goals I was always hoping for, to get a job. I have recently started working two days a week in the kitchen of a bank near Stephen’s Green. I love living on my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each NOVAS accommodation service endeavours to take their residents on a short holiday once a year. For many, it is their first holiday ever. It is a time of relaxation and reflection, a break from the difficulties of their everyday lives.

In October 2016, McGarry House residents enjoyed a holiday in Annascaul, Co. Kerry. Here Jonathan, a McGarry House resident shares his experience of the trip.

I was given a chance to go away for a week with McGarry House residents so I was delighted to take the opportunity. Five of us left on a Monday morning and we arrived to Dingle at lunch time. It was a beautiful environment and the house was very clean. It just looked like a normal house but inside it was a palace. Everyone made themselves at home and each day we did different activities. It was a bad time for me at that particular time as it was my mother’s anniversary but being away gave me an opportunity to put myself first instead of getting depressed. Everyone chipped in with the cleaning and cooking and some evenings we went out for food. It was great having a choice of what we wanted to eat. For me the part I enjoyed the most was the peace and quiet and the fact I could choose where I wanted to go. Visiting the aquarium made me feel more interested in wildlife. We went to see Fungi the dolphin which was great but unfortunately I was sea sick on the journey over. Everyone seemed to enjoy their time and it was an experience I would like to do again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Name is Oliver James White, I was born on 12/07/1960 in Birr Co. Offaly.
When I was eight years old my family moved to England where I grew up.
At 17 I joined the army and was stationed in Germany. I left the army in 1989 and worked on the farm with my dad until he died in 1997. I then moved back to Offaly.
I worked in a Fun Fair until 2008 when I met my partner and settled in Tralee. We split up in 2010. After we split up I found it hard to pay the rent on my own. Eventually I was threatened with eviction and found myself homeless. Something I could never have imagined.
I presented to the Homeless Information Centre and was referred to Arlington Lodge. I was in Arlington Lodge for a few months before moving to Killeen woods – an independent house with outreach support – where I stayed for about five more months before moving to private rented accommodation at a caravan park outside Tralee. I remained there until November 2015. During that time I regularly visited Arlington where I continued to receive support.
In December 2015 I applied for a NOVAS apartment and was successful in my application, I have lived there since and am very happy with my home. It is the best place I ever lived. The accommodation is nice and I live with a friend. The company is nice but I’m very independent so we don’t see that much of each other. I’m always out between college, work and my motorbike.
During my time with NOVAS, I have improved my circumstances substantially, I successfully completed a FETAC level 5 course in Culinary Arts at Kerry Education Services, An Tochar Adult Education Centre, Causeway.
I applied for and got a course in Culinary Arts level 6 & 7 at IT Tralee and have completed years 1& 2, I hope to become a qualified Breakfast Chef. I regularly volunteer to help with the cooking in Arlington at weekends where I enjoy the company and the banter.
During this year I worked as a chef in a local hotel for the summer and they were very happy with my performance – its quiet at the moment but I still get days here and there when they are busy, I really like cooking and wish it to become my life’s career.
I have gone from being homeless a few short years ago to having my own home, a motorcycle and money in my pocket and lots of friends.
Life is Good.

I wrote a story in May, about my life since I was a child and the ups and downs I have had. As you can see I said “had”, a small word but it means a lot to me. I am now writing about the life I have NOW and what has changed in my life in one year and wow it is just amazing.
This time last year I was in a very, very black hole with absolutely no light at the end of it. It felt like absolute hell on earth if that’s what you can call it. All I wanted to do was die, I just wanted my life to end no matter what.

You might ask, how did it all change for me? Well, one day Eugene Toner (Brother Russell House Manager), a very clever man, asked me had I ever considered that maybe it’s a psychological issue I had and not an issue with alcohol. At the time I just laughed but he was actually right.
I ended up asking myself why not give it a go and try and stay away from drink and spend some time working on the psychological side of things and see if that worked for me. I started partaking in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy sessions with Louise (another NOVAS staff member). I gave 100% to these sessions and I found it actually started to work for me. I also started focusing on doing some meditation to help me relax. Now don’t get me wrong it was very, very hard but I always knew in the back of my mind that I had the full support of staff in Brother Russell House, who I think of as my family.

I also started to get involved in other activities around the house such as the gazebo project which involved residents from Brother Russell House and PALLS coming together to build a gazebo for the house. I started gardening and going to the gym. I was open to doing anything that took my mind off the demon that is drink.

I started telling myself that there is a life for me and I stopped thinking about ending mine. This is something I never thought I would be writing.

My keyworker Keira Fitzpatrick mentioned going back to college. Again I laughed. I never went to an ordinary school, never mind college. Now after months of going through hell, constantly fighting a battle of suicidal thoughts going on inside my head and having no drink to help me cope it really felt like I was swimming against the tide and drowning.
So one day I said to myself “go for it”, it meaning college. It was then I decided to swim with the tide and by God everything in my life started to change. People were showing me respect and this respect was not out of fear as I felt it was before. This time it felt like genuine respect, man that is a great feeling.

Before I go any further, I just want to say that all this change never would have happened without the support of NOVAS and the staff in Brother Stephen Russell House, this is something I want to emphasise.

Now I am nearly a year into my sobriety and I have now taken what is hopefully the final twist in my life (Ha!). I participated in a sleep out for the homeless on the 10th October and met a wonderful girl and we hit it off straight away. We became the best of friends and now thank God, you can see how this is bringing out the child in me, we are boyfriend and girlfriend!
The moral of this story is strange. I have come from living on the streets, being in institutions, being in prison and having so many ups and downs to finding NOVAS’ Brother Stephen Russell House and I can honestly say my life is finally coming together. I have actually found peace of mind, happiness, have had the experience of doors opening for me and most of all I can say I have actually found love. Angie is her name by the way.
I still have demons going on inside my head but thankfully I have people who actually care about me, i.e. NOVAS and my family in Brother Stephen Russell House. It is onward, upward and positive thinking for me from here. This past year is the first time in my life I feel I have had closure and feel it is a new beginning for me. So for now I say bring on the next year (Yes, Yes, Yes!!).

I have always wondered what the word normal meant and now I know it is just being myself.

Frank, 50, a resident of Brother Russell House, shares his story on how NOVAS helped turn his life around.

At four years of age I was sent to school in a local convent, which also became my home. Life there was hard and we weren’t treated very well. I remained there for 10 years, but would often meet my father in town at the weekends. It was he who introduced me to alcohol when I was about 10 years old, and that’s when my drinking started.

At 17 I joined the army, where I started to drink heavily and constantly. I was thrown out of the army after 3 1/2 years because of my drinking habits. From there my life descended into chaos. I lived in a couple of flats but was never able to maintain them due to my alcohol addiction, my relationships failed also.

Things hit rock bottom a couple of years later, when I lived on the streets of Ennis for 1 1/2 years. For most of that period I lived in a tent on the church grounds. There was nothing good about this time. It was so cold and so lonely. I had nowhere to wash or shave. The winters were the hardest of all. There were times I thought I would die like this. It was the worst time of my life.

This period ended in a jail sentence, after I broke into an off licence. While prison was hard, it was better than the streets, nothing was worse than being homeless. From prison I went straight to Brother Russell House, and it was there I began to turn my life around.

At the beginning I continued to drink heavily. I was difficult to deal with and my addiction continued to escalate. However, the staff stuck with me, even though there must have been times they wanted to give up. With their support and care, I began to cut down on my drinking. I drew up a drinking contract with the manager, Eugene, where I was allowed some cans after 7pm while I watched the soaps. I was not allowed to drink during the day and I was never allowed to drink spirits. I have abided by this contract for many years now. I am no longer a danger to myself or to those around me.

Around the same time I was offered work in the kitchens of Brother Russell. I work there three days a week, helping the chef prepare food and making sure the place is clean. It’s a great way to keep me busy during the day, to keep me distracted from drink. The staff have also recently helped me make contact with my daughters in England, and we now exchange letters. I am so grateful for this.

I have tried to live independently on a couple of occasions in the last few years, but it always breaks down. I don’t think I’m able to live on my own. Brother Russell is where I belong. It has given me dignity and a purpose. I was treated with compassion and patience and I will be forever grateful. This is my home now, the only home I’ve had since I was 4 years old.

Thank you