Kilkenny’s Good Shepherd Centre CEO to sleep outside on World Homeless Day

A cardboard sign, a sleeping bag, and one night alone on the streets for the CEO of a homeless organisation.

This is how the Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny, together with Carlow County Development Partnership (CCDP), will mark World Homeless Day.

On Friday, October 10, Good Shepherd Centre CEO Noel Sherry will step out of his office and onto the pavements of Carlow for 24 hours, to stand in solidarity with those who have no choice but to sleep rough or live in temporary accommodation.

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The campaign, themed Sleeping Out, Speaking Out — for the Homeless, aims to highlight the crisis facing families, children and individuals across the south-east.

Speaking at the campaign launch outside the JETS Centre in Carlow, Noel Sherry said, "we don’t just talk about statistics because the reality is even more stark, and the official figures never tell the full story."

"Children are losing their pets, their toys, their sense of security," he continued. "Families are in crisis, lives are in limbo. It’s older people, it’s children, people with disabilities — sadly no one group is exempt from homelessness.

"We have too much Government indecision, and we need to fast-track solutions now.”

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The latest Department of Housing figures underscore the scale of the problem:
- 16,353 people are recorded as homeless in Ireland.
- That includes 5,145 children living in emergency accommodation.
- Homelessness has risen 12.9% in the past year, with 2,391 families now affected.

Mr Sherry also extended his gratitude to An Garda Síochána, particularly Superintendent Anthony Farrell, for their ongoing support of the Good Shepherd Centre’s work.

Annette Fox, CEO of Carlow County Development Partnership, expressed her pride to support this important campaign with the Good Shepherd Centre.

"At CCDP, we work with people experiencing homelessness day in and day out through our community projects and endeavours," she explained.

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"We know the reality of the crisis in our region, and we fully support this initiative to shine a light on the human impact and the urgent need for solutions."

World Homeless Day, marked globally on October 10, raises awareness of the needs of people experiencing homelessness and provides opportunities for the wider community to get involved.

The Good Shepherd Centre supports individuals and families through emergency accommodation, transitional housing, tenancy sustainment, outreach, and resettlement services. Its message is clear: Hope is a Home.

The public is encouraged to support the campaign by donating, volunteering, or sharing the message online using hashtags: #HopeIsAHome #SleepingOutSpeakingOut #WorldHomelessDay

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