Research to Evaluate the impact of service provision for identified target groups under the Dublin Simon strategy, in the context of their respective needs as a sub-population of people experien

Summary

Commencing in 2025, Dublin Simon is operating under a new 5-year strategy that focuses on understanding, monitoring and improving upon the impact we have for the people who use our services. This represents a marked shift away from activity-based work and a shift in focus, resources and culture to impact-driven work. Based on extensive staff consultation, research and our ongoing experience as a well-established homeless service provider, we identified and prioritised 4 target client groups under the new strategy: · women · young adults (18-24) · ageing and older (45+) · complex needs (i.e. related to substance use, mental health issues, physical health etc.) The nature of the homeless population has become much more diverse; in terms of the factors that contribute to them becoming homeless, their experience and needs while homeless, and the factors that support or impede a move on from homelessness. It should be noted that these groups are not homogenous in themselves, and overlap exists between them. Research has already been conducted on various topics related to these groups, both in Ireland and internationally. Dublin Simon is seeking responses from researchers or research-focused institutions to contribute to a multi-annual research and service improvement project which aims to understand, evaluate and improve upon the impact of our services for these groups. It is anticipated the research will commence in Q3 2025.