Sleep Out for Simon 2018 is set to take place across 5 locations in Galway City and County including Shop Street, Tuam, Loughrea, Corinthians R.F.C and Rossaveal with 100% of funds raised going directly towards supporting Galway Simons plans to extend the reach of local homelessness prevention services.

With the rate of homelessness in the West of Ireland growing faster than any other region around the country, coupled with a housing supply that is inadequate to meet the current demand, the need for a focus on prevention has never been greater!

Our prevention services are a critical part of our work because we believe early intervention is key to keeping people in their own homes. If we can prevent someone from having to access homeless services in the first place, the outcomes are much better in that the trauma of emergency accommodation is not experienced. Prevention ultimately reduces the human and economic costs associated with homelessness.

To meet the ever increasing demand for our essential prevention services, which include a Community Support Team, County Outreach Service, dedicated Youth Service, and a specialist Women and Family Service, 100% of funds raised through this year's Sleep Out will go towards:

- Extending our County Galway Outreach Services to reach more people at risk of homelessness.

- Providing additional homes for young people in our Youth Service through new transitional housing units.

- Acquiring additional housing for our new Housing First initiative which will support rough sleepers to transition into a home of their own, while also providing the wraparound supports needed to maintain this home.

We urgently need your help to make this possible - please give generously!

If you would like to rise to the challenge and join one of our planned sleep-outs, or get a group together and host your own sleep-out event contact Claire on 091 381828 or claire.kenny@galwaysimon.ie