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Our History

When?

The Simon Community was established by Anton Wallich-Clifford in London in 1963. 

Why ?

Anton worked with offenders and people on probation and realised many re-offended because they had nowhere to stay. 

How?

He set up the first Simon Community in his own home to draw public attention to the needs of homeless people and to develop an experimental approach to their care and support.

So how did Simon Community Northern Ireland come about?

In 1971, a journalist wrote a newspaper article prompting Simon Community's presence in Northern Ireland. 

He had become aware of rough sleeping in Belfast and asked “Why is there not a Simon Community in Northern Ireland?”

A small group of volunteers then formed the organisation.

The recognition that homelessness is more than providing a roof has stayed with the organisation to present day.