Women at risk of homelessness

 

 Ciara has been a student placement in the Tus Nua  project in DePaul Ireland. Tus Nua works with women leaving the Dochas women’s prison in Mountjoy, that are at risk of homelessness. She describes her experience:

 

I believe access to housing is a basic human right and so chose Depaul Ireland for my student placement. I was excited, and apprehensive, about starting at Tus Nua last December in case I wasn’t capable enough to give people the help they need.

 

I was concerned how the residents would respond to me. After all, I am fortunate enough to never have experienced homelessness, or drug or alcohol addiction, like all the residents living in Tus Nua. Would they welcome my presence or would they see me as some sort of ‘do-gooder’ who could not possibly help them in anyway with what they are going through?

 

The service users really appreciate the work that the volunteers do. I did not expect any thanks or appreciation but I have received this in abundance.

 

One resident said to me that it means so much to her that I let her make tea for me as it means her touching the teabags and not everyone would let her do this as she is a recovering from a drug addiction. Her words touched me deeply. I never had any problem with her ‘touching the teabags’, but it meant so much to her, a small thing which never even crossed my mind. Another girl said that she cannot believe that people actually give up their free time to come in to help and spend time with them.

 

However, I am actually grateful to the girls at Tus Nua for what they have given me. Anyone with preconceived negative perceptions of homelessness and drug addiction should spend an afternoon with the service users of Depaul Ireland. It will change your attitude.

 

The challenges these women face are difficult ones, trying to stay away from drugs and acquire skills to live independently after leaving prison, but they work and try so hard. I have huge respect and admiration for them. They may experience set backs and drug relapses, but they keep trying.

 

The staff at Tus Nua are amazing. They are a team who genuinely care about the wellbeing of the residents. It is more than just a job to them. They have been extremely supportive also to me in my role as a volunteer.

 

Although my student placement at Depaul Ireland will end in the middle of April, I will take away a lot from it. It has changed me as a person, for the better. I have received an experience that no classroom environment could ever provide. It is my hope that I will return again to Tus Nua after my exams, if circumstances work to allow me to stay in Dublin. I would definately recommend volunteering with Depaul Ireland to anyone who is committed, and who genuinely wants to help.

 

Read more volunteering stories with the homeless in DePaul Ireland.