Peter McVerry Trust provides low threshold entry services, primarily to younger people and vulnerable adults with complex needs, and offers pathways out of homelessness based on the principles of the Housing First model. To target those most marginalised in society and offer a safe, challenging and supportive environment through our service provision.

During Covid-19 we undertook to support, in self-isolating hotel accommodation, some 8,000 people, both homeless people and people seeking asylum who were living in communal direct provision centres. As our drug treatment centres had to close, the nursing staff transferred to the isolation facilities and provided an expert and caring service. 

Addiction and recovery: Covid-19 continued to impact our services in 2021. Our Residential Community Detox centre reopened in November 2021 – following a Covid-19 enforced closure from March to November. The Peter McVerry Trust Stabilisation and Recovery Services at Berkeley Street in Dublin was impacted by the restrictions on face-to-face meetings. Normal supports and counselling sessions moved online or were carried out on an individual basis by telephone or appointment, in line with the active public health guidance at the time. The day service reopened in September 2021. Our targeted and efficient response to Covid-19 presented an opportunity to provide vital supports to those in active addiction. Participants admitted to our services went through a 14-day isolation period. During this isolation period, any need for medically supported stabilisation or detox was identified and participants were able to avail of GP and nurse supports to stabilise or detox. A total of 2,612 adults were supported to stabilise or detox in these isolation services, with 1,685 cases of self-isolation and 298 cases of cocooning.