Wicklow charitymarks 15 years as annual report highlights ‘helping homeless with dignity'

Irish Independent

3 days ago

Senator Aubrey McCarthy marked the milestone with a reminder of how 'a small group of us came together to create an organisation dedicated to helping those facing addiction and homelessness with dignity', and described 2024 as 'both busy and impactful'.
In his message, he pointed to huge challenges in the early part of the year, when, in February, the demand for homeless services surged at Tiglin's Lighthouse homeless café, in Dublin.
"Despite limited resources, the team persevered, distributing essentials to those in need,' he said.
He was rewarded personally for his endeavours when he was bestowed with the Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year award, in May, something he modestly described as a 'true team effort'. This was followed in June, when he was 'both surprised and delighted' to be presented with the RDS Lifetime Achievement Award.
From a challenging start, the year ended on a hugely positive note, with the organisation benefitting from a €1.4m grant to enhance women's recovery facilities, in September, followed by the October purchase of the Loreto convent in Bray.
CEO Phil Thompson called the acquisition of the Bray facility 'remarkable', and noted how the site, currently home to around 40 Ukrainian nationals, 'opens new possibilities for Tiglin to address housing and healthcare needs for vulnerable populations'.
"Looking ahead, we are excited to collaborate with Wicklow County Council and other state bodies to unlock the full potential of this site,' he said.
The event, on Thursday, May 22, was hosted by Senator McCarthy, who was recently appointed to the Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Local Government, and showcased the charity's impactful and life-changing work across the country.
The report itself outlines a year of intense activity and growing need. In 2024 alone, Tiglin's frontline Lighthouse Café served over 100,000 hot meals – an indicator of the deepening crisis of homelessness and hardship in Ireland.
Social Care in Action brought together members of the Oireachtas, frontline workers, service users, and supporters. It offered a rare opportunity for policymakers to hear directly from those working on, and affected by, the realities of Ireland's social care landscape. A central theme was the role of lived experience in shaping effective national policy, particularly in the areas of addiction recovery, housing, and reintegration.
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Among the speakers were Tiglin graduates Paul and Nicola, who shared powerful personal stories of transformation. Nicola reflected on her past.
'My main goal for the day used to be just to drink. That was it. And saying it now, it's heartbreaking,' she said.
Nicola was a participant in RTE's riveting three-part documentary in April, Hooked, hosted by Dr Brian Pennie. She was in the latter stages of treatment for alcohol addiction at Tiglin's Women's Centre in Greystones, and recounted how her days were shaped by addiction.
These days, as part of Tiglin's reintegration programme, she's working in the bakery at the Rise coffee shop, while studying and slowly rebuilding herself as she strives to 'dip back into reality and to life'.
Meanwhile, Paul, who also spoke at the launch, described how his life has too changed:
'Right now, in the community, I'm not 'Paul the addict' anymore,' he said. 'I'm just Paul. People don't know my past unless I tell them. And for the first time, I see a future – one where I give back and help others find their way too.'
Today, Tiglin operates across seven locations, offering rehabilitation, supported housing, education, youth outreach, and community employment programmes. All of its work is grounded in a holistic, person-centred approach of restoration and dignity.
The 2024 Annual Report highlights some remarkable outcomes for the organisation, including: