Focus Ireland hosted their annual Shine a Light sleepout last night, encouraging people to raise funds and understand more about homelessness in Ireland.
Every year, participants raise money for Focus Ireland and spend a night sleeping outside.
Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie visited a few locations overnight and told The Anton Savage Show 1,400 people took part across the country.
“The whole idea is to raise funds but also give people some insight – but that comes with acknowledging that what people are doing during the sleepout is nothing like what people are facing every day,” he said.
“At the same time, they are sleeping outside on the ground against the elements to see what people are up against every day of the week.”
Hidden homelessness
One participant, Rob Dawson, received support from Focus Ireland himself to escape homelessness.
Mr Dawson spent years couch-hopping and crashing on people’s floors – something he says is not fully understood in Ireland.
“Hidden homelessness happens to a lot of people – it completely goes unnoticed,” he said.
As of July 2023, there were 12,847 homeless people in Ireland.
The official homeless figures released by the Government only include those in emergency accommodation – but do not include people like Rob.
“It's just as bad as living on the street – you still have that feeling of when am I going to get my own home because your friend could just kick you out,” he said.
“You’re living out of a bag day-to-day, and you can’t make plans.”
It's bedtime for hundreds of people across Ireland sleeping out against homelessness for #ShineALight 🌙 😴
Donations will remain open: https://t.co/FI2YsbOzZi
Thank you! pic.twitter.com/AF2HlLzAJx
— FocusIreland (@FocusIreland) October 13, 2023
Mr Dawson got into contact with Focus Ireland through Tusla, who have now provided him with accommodation.
“They’re a lifeline,” he said.
“If we didn’t have charities like Focus, the housing crisis would be a million times worse.”
"Shine A Light is hugely important for our @FocusIreland partnership, and our partnership with Focus Ireland is hugely important to us".
David Kirwan, Managing Director of @BordGaisEnergy, is sleeping out against homelessness in @CrokePark tonight for #ShineALight
You can… pic.twitter.com/j1iCFhzzRF
— BGEGAA (@BGEGAA) October 13, 2023
Many schools across the country got involved in the sleepout, including Hansfield Educate Together School.
Transition Year Head Leanne Moore said it’s important to raise awareness among young people about the reality of homelessness.
“We actually do see a lot of these issues, we know a lot of our kids are in temporary accommodation,” she said.
“It has opened their eyes that it might be someone sitting in the class beside them.”
Hosting your own #ShineALight sleep out against homelessness in your community? 🌙
Don't forget to tag @FocusIreland and @BordGaisEnergy in all your photos!
You can now join us online for an evening of activities: https://t.co/0xycHx2dwA pic.twitter.com/kajOxx1hJa
— FocusIreland (@FocusIreland) October 13, 2023
One student told Josh she was “really cold” sleeping outside her school overnight – but thinks “it really spreads awareness”.
“I can’t imagine doing this daily,” she said.
Another student said she asked her mam to bring her an extra blanket during the sleepout.
“I know that’s not something you can do when you’re actually homeless, so I definitely appreciate that,” she said.
