Latest: Every day can seem like the #LongestDay for homeless people, says charity
The Dublin Simon Community has today officially launched their #LongestDay campaign.
On the longest day of the year, the Dublin Simon Community are calling on the public to send messages of support via Facebook @DublinSimonCommunity or Twitter so they can share them with people accessing their services and going through the trauma of homelessness.
When you're homeless, days feel like an eternity. This #longestday tweet us msg of support to share with our clients https://t.co/vegk4oYYxV pic.twitter.com/EGXIPJayFZ
— Dublin Simon (@Dublin_Simon) June 21, 2017
Speaking about the campaign, Sam McGuinness of the Dublin Simon Community said: “The longest day of the year is symbolic for this campaign.
“When you’re trapped in homelessness, with no place to call home or feel safe, you are forced to go without the simplest comforts and the days can seem so long.
“What was once straightforward becomes a daily battle - being able to cook a meal, wash your clothes or close your own door to the world at the end of each day.
Today's the #longestday of the year,so imagine how it feels for Ireland's homeless. Donate to @Dublin_Simon... pic.twitter.com/r4qi0f4mwx
— Nicola Bardon (@NicolaBardon) June 21, 2017
“Whether you are a family trying to manage in a small hotel room or walking the streets of Dublin looking for somewhere to sleep at night, you have to go without the most basic things that we take for granted each day.
“The days can isolating, endless and relentless; everyday of the year can seem like The Longest Day.
“In this time of crisis, we really need as many people as possible to reach out and show support. Sending us messages through Facebook and Twitter, is a small but important gesture of solidarity.
“Kind words can really make a difference to someone’s day when struggling with the difficulties that come with trying to find and/or keep a roof over your head.”
Throughout the longest day, Dublin Simon Community will share testimonials from their clients on Facebook and Twitter to illustrate the lonely and isolating nature of being homeless or at risk, and the daily struggles that people are facing. Each quote will be shared with the hashtag #longestday.
The Dublin Simon Community is running an online campaign today to raise awareness for people using their services.
Today is the longest day of the year and the charity says that when you're living in fear of losing your home or are trying to find a safe bed for the night, every day can feel like that.
The campaign will feature images and videos of quotes from their clients and are asking people to share them with messages of support.
All of the messages will then be shared with the people Dublin Simon helps every day.
