Rite & Reason: A centre in London is providing a lifeline for homeless Irish people, writes Danny Maher
Cricklewood Homeless Concern (CHC) is a very active day centre based in Cricklewood, northwest London. It began its journey as a soup run in a response to concerns from local Irish women about the increasing number of Irish found sleeping on the local streets.
Over the years it has grown into a professional service aiming to empower homeless and inadequately-housed people to regain control over their lives.
Back in the old days, Kilburn and Cricklewood attracted many Irish. It was seen as a safe place where you were guaranteed to meet fellow Irish and a good spot for labouring jobs on streets paved with gold.
The immigrant dream included a better life with money to send home to support siblings, an education they felt deprived of and support for families left behind. For many this dream became a reality but not for all.
So where are the Irish who tried to live the dream but didn't achieve it? They lived in multi-occupational properties, which are houses built to accommodate three to four persons but occupied by 10 to 12. These houses have no communal spaces such as kitchens, sitting rooms or dining rooms.
Their single rooms contain a bed and single wardrobe which leaves no room for sociable gatherings such as having meals together, watching TV etc. Many spent lonely nights in pubs lamenting, and availing of the heat from lit fires.
Years of standing in front of the fire in local pubs with a pint in the hand take their toll. Unable to work, due to deteriorating health, they were forced to claim benefits.
This in turn meant they could not afford pub prices and ended up meeting and socialising on the streets. The pain of failure resulted in losing contact with loved ones at home and, coupled with the pride Irish people have, resulted in them not asking for support when needed and which they had a right to.
The provision of a culturally-sensitive service is a basic aim for all professional services in England, yet at CHC we find this seems to be extended to other ethnic groups but not always the Irish.
There are many reasons that may explain this but the outcome remains the same, ie the Irish are the least able or reluctant to access mainstream services but conversely represent a large number of those who are homeless, have higher rates of medical conditions such as cancer and TB, and live in poor housing.
Some of our referrals to other services, both statutory and voluntary, have ended in failure. Our people simply would not attend appointments or when they did they told the service provider "sure don't make a fuss, I'm grand".
Our response to this is clear; if you don't go there then we will make sure we help you. If you go to CHC, you are guaranteed a full assessment of need. You can access a doctor, mental health support, education, housing and while you are waiting you can have something to eat, a cup of tea and chat with your friends and finish off the day with a game of bingo, cards, chess, draughts or have a go at the quiz.
We recently reviewed our services due to the continued deterioration in the health of our Irish people from both alcohol misuse and poor lifestyle. Many are now unable to come to the centre - so we bring the service to them. We have daily home visits delivering home-cooked meals and we provide clean bedding. The doctor and nurse are available for home visits also. We are currently moving many people into supported semi-independent flats.
We are mindful that many of the fascinating stories of this generation of Irish people may be forgotten. We sought funding from the heritage lottery to record them and we should have a number of DVD recordings of people recalling their memories of leaving Ireland and arriving in London.
Over the last few years we have been indebted to individuals and companies in Ireland plus the Government for their great support. The most valuable gift our people say they can get is that people back home remember them. That beats everything.
Danny Maher is chief executive with Cricklewood Homeless Concern. A concert in aid of the forgotten Irish in Britain takes place at Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo next Saturday at 3pm. An emigration exhibition at the Country Life museum in Turlough Park begins on Friday. Details at www.streetsoflondonconcert.com