Download the 2002 Annual report here - Focus Ireland

The Extension Drop-in Centre
Opens Seven Days
Focus Ireland has been witnessing
the phenomenon of youth
homelessness for over a decade. We
continuously review, alter and
expand our services in response to
the changing situations and needs of
young people who are homeless. A
key development at the end of 2002
saw the expansion of our Extension
Drop-in Centre, serving 18 – 25 year
olds, from five days to seven days a
week. Week-day hours also
increased from five mornings and
three afternoons to opening from
10.30 am to 6.30 pm every day.
Accompanying the change in
opening hours is a shift in emphasis
of the project. Over recent years our
Street Outreach Team has seen a
significant increase in the numbers
of severely marginalised young
people they are working with.
Increasing and changing drug use
has heightened the chaotic
circumstances of young people
sleeping rough, making it impossible
for them to access most of the
services that could help them
change their situation. The
Extension now primarily services
contacts referred by the Outreach
Team. It has become a specialised
unit serving the needs of the most
marginalised young homeless people
in society. This change in emphasis
has brought about a number of
significant developments.
The Extension traditionally served
around 15 people a day. However,
since December 2002 up to 60
young people access the centre in
any one day. Staff numbers have
risen accordingly to meet this extra
demand. The whole approach of the
service has changed to become more
flexible. All policies are aimed at
helping change behaviour, rather
than punishing behaviour. Sanctions
such as barring are used as little as
possible.
The work has become very
individualised to deal with the very
specific needs of each customer, with
less of a focus on group work and
group activities than previously. "It is
a long journey for these young
people," says Fiona Lorden, manager
of the service. "But even in the short
time since the shift in emphasis, the
small incremental steps that people
need to make seem to take a little
less time. The change in the service
means that the most marginalised
young people can access services that
were not available to them before."
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