Appeal: James's Story
Meet James
“I think I was hoping that somehow somebody would notice that I wasn’t okay.”
For a long time, James didn’t think he was homeless. He moved between sofas and floors, spent hours in cafés and walked around Galway with nowhere safe to return to. Then, one freezing winter night, the last of his options ran out. James slept beneath a row of trees on the edge of the city.
Thanks to the support of people like you, Galway Simon Community noticed James before it was too late. He moved into supported accommodation and, for the first time in a long time, had a bed, a kitchen and a safe place to call home. Today, James is living independently and working.
Homelessness rarely happens all at once. For many young people, it starts with a few nights on a sofa, then a floor, then somewhere else, until there is nowhere left to go. Behind every young person experiencing homelessness is someone hoping to be seen before they reach crisis point.
Why young people need support
Young people facing homelessness often tell us they are simply trying to get through another day.
They may be coping with poor mental health, trauma or years of instability. They may not know where to turn, or even recognise that they are homeless, until every safe option has disappeared.
Without the right support, finding a way forward can feel impossible.
How your donation helps
Your gift this summer helps Galway Simon Community provide safe accommodation and one-to-one support for young people experiencing homelessness across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
It helps our teams notice when someone is struggling, build trust and give them the time and support they need to rebuild their life. This summer, please help us reach another young person like James before they have nowhere left to go.
