Galway Simon Community have been supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the West of Ireland since 1979. Since then Galway Simon Community have developed and continue to develop a continuum of care for people who are homeless. The services provided include permanent housing with full time care, transitional housing with supportive services, support to enable people to avoid homelessness, support to enable people to rebuild their lives after experiencing homelessness, additional supportive services designed to meet therapeutic needs such as health, mental health and substance abuse treatment. At present, Galway Simon provide accommodation to over 100 single men and women that for one reason or another became homeless. We currently operate thirteen housing services and 11 independent living apartments which have varying degrees of support. We also operate a drop-in resource center targeted at homeless street drinkers. Some services are 'homes for life' while others are designed for people who remain temporarily before moving on. Our clients have a range of challenges including mental health, addiction, behavioural, physical, substance misuse and intellectual challenges. In addition to service provision, Galway Simon Community is concerned with advancing the rights of people who are homeless and works with them in an advocacy role. We believe campaigning for changes in social attitudes and social policy to be a necessary and complementary part of our work. The organisation employs over 90 paid staff, with a mixture of full time and part-time positions. As well as front-line staff who work directly with our clients, we have a finance, fundraising and HR department. Volunteers provide much needed support to our staff and clients and work alongside our front-line staff who are committed and qualified Social Care professionals. The organisation is committed to the ongoing professional development of staff and as well as mandatory training in the area of Health & Safety and best practice, all staff undergo continuing professional development in their relevant fields. Galway Simon Community was founded by volunteers and continues to grow and develop its volunteer base that is at the core of our work. Volunteerism still remains a strong tradition within the Community. Volunteers and the ethos of volunteering are at the core of the work carried out by Galway Simon Community. Our EVS volunteers are placed in one of our five residential houses which are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and all of which are within walking distance to the city centre. Galway Simon Community is a host organisation which involves EVS volunteers along with other international volunteers. Currently Galway Simon Community involves two EVS volunteers. These volunteers stay with the organisation for a duration of 9 to 12 months. Volunteers are involved in a variety of activities during the course of their voluntary work. These activities include assisting residents with life skills, accompanying residents on appointments, assisting with house work, maintaining administration records, assisting with cooking, arranging leisure activities for residents, working as part of a team and supporting residents with social and educational activities. All such activities are implemented by supporting the volunteer through supervision, mentoring and training. One of the main elements in the volunteering role is to develop positive working relationships with the residents. We are committed to empowering and working with people experiencing homelessness by campaigning and providing the highest possible standards of care. Volunteers provide a core element of this service, as they enhance and support staff in the work they do towards achieving this goal. The organisation offers volunteers a positive and inclusive learning experience in a safe and supported environment. During their time with us EVS volunteers will be exposed to opportunities for both personal growth and development, while being supported by the organisation. Our volunteers are given the opportunity to utilise existing skills and develop new skills by learning from experiences and through the Certificate in Volunteering which is accredited by the Dublin Institute of Technology. The Galway Simon Community is committed to ensuring the volunteers are valued, respected and supported by all in the organisation.