Focus Ireland

Focus Ireland recently hosted an Awareness Evening at the Graffiti Theatre Company in Blackpool, Cork City. The event brought together key stakeholders, media representatives, and members of the public to highlight the vital work Focus Ireland is doing to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Cork City and County. The Awareness Evening featured speeches from distinguished guests, including the Lord Mayor of Cork City, Dan Boyle, alongside representatives from Focus Ireland. Acting Director of Fundraising, Jesse Wiesblatt emphasised the urgency of addressing homelessness and the critical role of community support in tackling the crisis. Speaking at the event, Jesse Wiesblatt said: “The number of people facing homelessness is at an all-time high, and our work in Cork is more vital than ever. Last year, we supported 42 families in crisis and we currently provide over 150 homes in the city and county. These numbers show that solutions exist, but we need continued support to expand our impact and help even more people find a place to call home.” She adds: “Homelessness is not just a statistic; it affects real people, including families and children in our community. The support we receive from local authorities, businesses, and individuals is invaluable in helping us continue our work. Events like tonight’s ‘Awareness Evening’ help to shine a light on the ongoing crisis and the efforts being made to combat it.” The event also provided attendees with the opportunity to engage with Focus Ireland staff, including Eimear O Riordan, Tenancy Support Team Lead for Cork and Kerry, who shared insights into the organisation’s frontline work. Focus Ireland has been operating in Cork since 2007, steadily expanding its services. In 2023, the organisation celebrated the opening of 16 new homes on Grand Parade, marking a significant step in its commitment to providing secure housing solutions. With 15,199 people now homeless across Ireland, including 589 adults in Cork, the need for action has never been greater. Focus Ireland remains dedicated to working with local authorities and the public to ensure that homelessness becomes a thing of the past. For more information on how to support their efforts, visit FocusIreland.ie 📸 Larry Cummins / EchoLive 🖊 Rachel Lysaght / EchoLive

I've been all over Cork and Kerry over the last few weeks on schools visits and cheque presentations for Focus Ireland! From Ballybunion to Ballincollig and many fine schools in between, I've been recruiting schools to host their own fundraisers or congratulating them on fundraisers past. Each school I have visited has been full of bright, socially conscious teachers and students who are well aware of the homelessness crisis that is happening right now. They are committed to helping in any way they can and I can't wait to visit many more over the coming months. A highlight for me came yesterday when I visited my old school, S.M.G.S. Blarney and talk to a 4th year class and a group of 4th and 5th years together. The school has changed a lot but it was a privilege to go back and spread the word on Focus Ireland. I got to call my old teachers by their first name too, which was weird and fantastic all at once 😆

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 of the 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 are complete, and the results are absolutely outstanding! 👏 𝟭 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻  steps logged 👏 𝟴𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬𝗞𝗠 covered 👏 𝟭,𝟱𝟲𝟰 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀  taking part 👏 𝟱,𝟱𝟲𝟭 participants stepping up Congratulations to everyone on staying committed. Whether you're taking 10,000 or 16,000 steps daily, every step is making a real impact. With the final stretch ahead, now is the time to dig deep and finish strong. Keep the momentum going and let’s make the last week our biggest yet! Thanks to everyone who has donated to our two charity partners Jigsaw - The National Centre for Youth Mental Health and Focus Ireland https://lnkd.in/ed44inHK #Steps2025 #ForvisMazars #Teamwork #Wellbeing #KeepMoving

TRI FREEZBRURY REFLECTION🥶🏃♂️🚴♀️🏊♂️ Yesterday, I had my first real moment of doubt. Bathing with good friends in 4-degree water, as one does. The cold bit into me, and every cell in my body screamed to get out. Worse still, this was only day 9, and my mind had already slipped into a state of threat, panic setting in.. Why was this happening! Yes, the water was F**KING freezing! Much colder than expected. I needed to park the things that were not in my control. I focused on my exhale, distracted myself, we helped each other push through those 9 minutes of pain. I felt uneasy the rest of the day. The water isn't going to warm up anytime soon. I have only completed 45 minutes of the 406 mins in cold water for the month, each day it will ramp up. The running, cycling and swimming is of course adding to the pressure. The cold water amplifies my fears, freezing them in sharp focus. I am writing this to acknowledge this pressure. This is what I asked for. Now how do I want to respond to it? This is my choice; its within my control. The greatest opportunity lies in the days when I feel like sh*t…when I feel fatigued, unmotivated, during the struggle, the self-doubt. These are my real challenges, in these moments. Research indicates that adopting a challenge mindset, while maintaining focus on the task at hand amidst competing stimuli, plays a key role in a person's ability to withstand pressure. Yesterday was Yesterday. Today I am training self-regulation. Today I am training self -confidence. Today I am training self-belief. Let’s go another kilometre further, another minute longer. Thank you for all the contribution to date …please continue to support here https://lnkd.in/g87Zje-A. Two great charities Focus Ireland Jigsaw - The National Centre for Youth Mental Health ❤️ #challengemindset #mentalhealth #mentalskills #care #pressure #red2blue #wellbeing #performancepsychology #coldwaterimmersion #triathlon #connection #optimism #selftalk #selfawareness #reflectivepractice

The Big Busk is BACK and WE WANT YOU! Join Focus Ireland and Today FM on Friday 7 March for a nationwide day of music to help #EndHomelessness in Ireland 🎶 💛 Musicians, singers, choirs and music lovers across the country will unite for this incredible event. Be part of something special: perform at an event near you or organise your own in your community! Sign up: https://lnkd.in/eiKx9NJt Contact us with any questions at busk@focusireland.ie ✨ #BigBusk #IrishMusic #IrishGigs #IrishEvents #TodayFM #FocusIreland

David Jermyn, Head of Corporate Development at Arachas, met with Damien Dempsey in the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin ahead of tonight’s sold out Rock against Homelessness concert in aid of Focus Ireland. This is our fifth consecutive year sponsoring Rock Against Homelessness and we are proud to show our support for Focus Ireland and their fight against homelessness.

Last night, Focus Ireland hosted the first Women’s Philanthropy Circle event of 2025! 🙏🏼 We had some amazing conversations about how we as women can empower each other, and tackle the issue of youth homelessness in Ireland together. We are very proud of what these inspiring women are achieving through the circle. If you’re passionate about making a change, join us! Women's Philanthropy Circle. Together we can make a real difference. #WomensPhilanthropyCircle #YouthHomelessness

I'm honoured to represent Regeneron again this year who are dedicated to giving back to the community. Regeneron have been supporting Limerick’s Focus Ireland offices over the past number of years to provide basic supplies to families and individuals in need. Focus Ireland is a housing and homelessness charity working to prevent people becoming, remaining or returning to homelessness through the provision of quality services, supported housing, research and advocacy. I've seen for myself the unbelievable work Focus Ireland do, and it is amazing. Everyone at Regeneron is proud to be able to support such a worthy cause. #Regeneron #FocusIreland #Limerick Ivor Downey Niall O'Leary Mark Everitt Nuala Carey Brian Corcoran Laura Callinan

I’m still buzzing after Focus Ireland Womens Philanthropy Circle this evening! It was inspiring hearing from helen steele Jade Murphy and @Keilie Danza. Each woman had a very different story to tell but each one had the common theme of Strenght and Empowerment. The Women’s Philanthropy Circle mission is to end youth homelessness in Ireland. If you would like to join WPC, let me know 💛

On behalf of all our staff and customers, we want to thank Musgrave MarketPlace for all their fundraising efforts 💛 Throughout 2024, they raised an incredible €60,000 which will go directly towards families and individuals experiencing homelessness, who we support in the community. #EndHomelessness #CharityPartner #FocusIreland