THE HISTORY OF RENDU APARTMENTS

DEPAUL IRELAND

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Rendu Apartments (The Vincentian Housing Partnership) was officially opened on 11 October 1995 to provide transitional rented housing for single or married people, male or female with or without children, who were homeless and vulnerable between the ages of 20 and 50. The complex comprises of 19 self-contained apartments. The funding for the construction of the units was shared by the three partnership groups and a government grant. This was a collaborative ministry of the Daughters of Charity, the Vincentian Fathers and the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. A Board of Management was responsible for the functioning of the Vincentian Housing Partnership.

The Vincentian Housing Partnership’s mission is to provide a welcoming high quality transitional housing programme to people who are homeless and enable them to move on to and successfully remain in independent living. The vision of the partnership is one where everyone had a comfortable secure home and could develop their full potential.

The Vincentian Housing Partnership’s work was based on a Christian ethos, welcoming those of all religions and backgrounds and respecting the beliefs and cultures of all those who live and work in Rendu Apartments. It embodied the values of dignity, justice, empowerment, quality, integrity, person-centred and hospitality. The Vincentian Housing Partnership now ceases to exist as Rendu Apartments is now under the management of Depaul Ireland, which is a sister organisation in the Vincentian Family and as such holds the same values.

I am confident that Rendu Apartments will continue to offer a safe haven to those who come to live in North William Street. I offer my very best wishes to the residents, staff and management as they develop this very worthy service in a building at the heart of Dublin city which was first occupied by the Daughters of Charity in 1857. The Daughters of Charity are happy that this service continues under the leadership of Depaul Ireland and hope that the work will thrive for many years to come.

Sr. Catherine Prendergast D.C. Provincial of the Daughters of Charity

The History of Rendu Apartments /1995 - 2012

FOREWORDForeword

Introduction

The Daughters of Charity Come to Dublin

The Birth of Rendu Apartments

Perspective from the Start

Merger with Depaul

Quality and Change

The People: Service-Users

The People: Staff and Volunteers

The Service: Aims & Objectives

The Service: Model of Support

The Service: Partnership Approach

Closing Comments & Acknowledgements

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

05The History of Rendu Apartments /1995 - 2012

Kerry Anthony MBE Chief Executive OfficerDepaul Ireland

I would also like to thank both the Board of VHP and of Depaul Ireland for the role that they played in bringing this amalgamation to fruition and also to our funders in the Health Services Executive, Dublin City Council and the Homeless Executive for their support throughout this process.

The Daughters of Charity Come to Dublin

Rendu Apartments was opened in 1995 as a homeless accommodation service for families. The story of the service, however, must be told in the context of the longer story of service of the excluded and marginalised in North William Street, Dublin stretching back 200 years…

The Arrival of the Daughters of Charity

In 1857 the Daughters of Charity came to Dublin at the invitation of the Archbishop of Dublin, having previously set up a house in Drogheda in 1855, entering Ireland for the first time from Rue de Bac in Paris. They moved to a site in North William St where, for over 50 years previously, a small orphanage had housed homeless children, run by the Religious Sisters of Charity, the Poor Clares and the Carmelite Sisters. From this point the work with those marginalised expanded significantly.

The Work Expands

After re-opening the orphanage and establishing St Vincent’s hospital in Fairview, two schools were established to educate the children. This was followed by visits to the poor and sick in the local area and meeting the practical needs of those with whom the Daughters came into contact. In this way, responding to needs as they found them, the Daughters of Charity began a tradition of service of the excluded and marginalised in society that has continued unbroken for over 150 years.

The Birth of Rendu Apartments

In 1995 Rendu Apartments (also known as the Vincentian Housing Partnership) was established as a homeless supported accommodation service for families and single people. Rendu Apartments, sharing the building that was once the orphanage housing homeless children, sits alongside St Louise’s Nursery, the Marillac Centre and the residence of the Daughters, as well as adjacent to St Louise’s Girls School and St Vincent’s Boys School. From 1995 onwards, Rendu Apartments opened its doors to many who needed a helping hand, with issues such as addiction problems, mental and emotional health problems, parenting skills, housing and social exclusion and isolation.

ORIGINSRendu apartments have been providing exemplary support to people experiencing homelessness for many years in Dublin, and have gained huge respect for the work they have done. There have been many challenges for organisations delivering services in the sector in Dublin over recent years. With the review of homeless services and the publication of the ‘Pathway to Home’ it was clear that change was needed. Two of the significant challenges were the move away from transitional service provision and a move to amalgamate single service providers with other organisations.

Depaul Ireland and the Vincentian Housing Partnership (VHP) have the same founding partners - the Daughters of Charity, the Vincentian Fathers and the Society of St Vincent de Paul - we have a shared heritage and ethos and so it made sense that the Rendu Apartments service would find a home with Depaul Ireland. We have been delighted to welcome the team on board and have been so pleased that the investment has been made by the VHP in the building in order to ensure moving forward. As a result we will be able to fulfill our role as identified as a Supported Temporary Accommodation Service for women and women with children. We are excited to learn from the work that has been done over the years in Rendu Apartments and also bring learning from our work with families in Northern Ireland. We look forward to many years delivering a service to some of those who are in most need in Dublin, living true to the values and ethos of both organisations.

07The History of Rendu Apartments /1995 - 2012

“It is a real honour to be asked to write this reflection on the Vincentian Housing Partnership from my time as Director of Services and recall the people who touched me to the core of my being. These are memories that I shall treasure for the rest of my life.

Vincentian Housing Partnership was a collaborative venture between the Daughters of Charity, the Vincentian Fathers, and the Society of Vincent De Paul. This initiative, set up in 1991, came about in direct response to the growing needs of so many vulnerable single women and men, couples and those with children experiencing homeless. The name ‘Rendu Apartments’ was chosen to mark the work of Sister Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity who was also co founder of the Society of Vincent De Paul.

While operating within the Christian ethos, Rendu always respected the beliefs and cultures of all those who lived and worked there. Each client was treated with dignity and respect and their journey started with a simple goal for the future. Staff worked with clients to help them see their possibilities and achieved some really ‘unbelievable’ results. Clients went on to third level education, qualified as social care workers, reflexologists, actors, jewellery makers, nurses aids, shop assistants and home makers. In some cases those who returned to work after leaving the project worked in other homeless agencies. One client summed it up by saying they wanted to give back what they got when they were here.

Volunteers were an integral and invaluable part of the team in the Vincentian Housing Partnership. Our volunteers came from a variety of backgrounds and ages with varying skills. All volunteers were provided with support and supervision and with training where necessary. The many gifts volunteers brought to Rendu were their skills which they shared abundantly. Our volunteers came from many different and varied backgrounds such as teachers, IT professionals, bank managers, counselling, coaching and the legal profession. Also from our volunteer skill base we were set up with a wonderful IT database system which helped with rotas for staff and volunteers and the collection and analysis of statistics on behalf of the Homeless Agency.

We were also lucky to have a wonderful Board of Management who gave of their time and expertise to ensure we worked within our budgets, that standards and best practice were maintained year after year and took responsibility for our Annual Report giving full transparency to the workings of Rendu.

Vincentian Housing Partnership was taken over by Depaul Ireland in May 2011. We wish all those involved every blessing into the future.”

PERSPECTIVE FROM THE START

“SOMETIMES OUR LIGHT GOES OUT, BUT IS BLOWN AGAIN INTO INSTANT FLAME BY AN ENCOUNTER WITH ANOTHERHUMAN BEING.”Albert Schweitzer

Sr. Angela Burke D.C.Former Director of Services Rendu Apartments 2003-2007

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In May 2011 the Vincentian Housing Partnership handed over Rendu Apartments to Depaul Ireland. This was in a context of change within homeless service provision in Dublin with focus placed on a comprehensive Pathways Model of service provision. For Rendu Apartments this meant both a continuity of homeless service provision, but also a process of reconfiguration and change.

Since the merger a year and a half ago, the Rendu Apartments team has transitioned to Depaul Ireland, building work has been carried forward in the service to ensure child safety and improved security and the service delivery and staffing model has been reconfigured into a supported temporary accommodation for women with children. At Rendu Apartments we can look forward to the continuation of a quality service and support for some of the most excluded families in Dublin.

The History of Rendu Apartments /1995 - 2012

Jeanne Marie Rendu (later called Sister Rosalie Rendu) was born on 9th September 1786 in France, 3 years before the French Revolution. When she was 16 years old, Jeanne felt called to enter the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity, at which point she received the name Rosalie. She spent over 50 years living out her vows to the poor starting works such as a free clinic, a pharmacy, a school, an orphanage, a childcare centre, a home for the elderly and a youth club for young workers. She became known as the ‘good mother of all’ and helped Frederic Ozanam and his friends to do their work, which was the origins of The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

THE MERGER WITH DEPAUL IRELAND

VISION, MISSION & VALUES OF VHPThe stated values of the Vincentian Housing Partnership when it was established are Vincentian at their core: Hospitality, Person-centred, Quality, Integrity, Dignity, Justice.

A synergy of values with Depaul Ireland has meant that the Vincentian ethos remains at the core of the reconfigured Rendu Apartments Service.

RENDU APARTMENTS' NAMESAKE

11The History of Rendu Apartments /1995 - 2012

A commitment to quality service provision targeted at those who need it most is at the core of Depaul Ireland’s work and the approach in Rendu Apartments. The outline below emphasises the ongoing commitment to the delivery of such a service and its continuous improvement.

“When I joined in 2005 Rendu Apartments was designated as a transitional housing project in the Homeless Agency configuration of the time. This meant that Rendu and other projects like it were seen as a natural progression route from other short term or emergency homeless accommodation services and other points from which people can enter homelessness such as treatment centres, hospitals or prisons.

Our goal was to prepare our service users to move out of homelessness and into permanent long term accommodation. To accomplish this we had a structured programme which centred on effective key working and care planning with a thorough needs and risk assessment process alongside.

There are many fantastic success stories from Rendu Apartments and now moving forward, having reconfigured as a Supported Temporary Accommodation service with Depaul Ireland, we will no doubt have many more as we provide quality, professional and person-centred support towards independent living for women and women with children in need and facing social exclusion.”

DEPAUL IRELAND’S VISION, MISSION AND VALUES

Our vision is that everyone should have a place to call home and a stake in their community

Our mission is to offer homeless and disadvantaged people the opportunity to fulfil their potential and make positive informed choices about their future.

QUALITY AND CHANGE

Keith PayneDeputy Manager Rendu ApartmentsFormer Team Leader Rendu Apartments, VHP

Our values are:

We celebrate the potential of people

We put our words into action

We aim to take a wider role in civil society

We believe in rights and responsibilities

13The History of Rendu Apartments /1995 - 2012

THE PEOPLE:SERVICE USERSThe work of Rendu Apartments was and is made of the people who work, live and volunteer there. Below are some service-user perspectives both past and present.

“I can remember seeing my apartment for the first time, I couldn’t believe it, it was so big I was chuffed to bits. The main thing in Rendu Apartments that helped me the most was the staff that worked there. They were all so helpful and nice and you could just talk to them and it was a lovely atmosphere.This was the first time I had ever lived on my own and I’m so thankful to Rendu Apartments and all the staff that work there for all their help and support and giving me a chance to be responsible for once in my life. I am now living in a lovely brand new 2 bed room apartment with my daughter. I love it and I couldn’t be happier and it just goes to show that anybody can turn their life around if they really want to and that there are people out there who care and want to help you and I found them when I moved to Rendu Apartments.”

Irene*Former Service UserRendu Apartments

“It’s been a great support being here with the help from the staff and your key worker. I’m looking forward to moving on from here, independently, with my son.”

Mary*Former Service UserRendu Apartments

“I arrived at Rendu Apartments at a critical point in my recovery. I was grateful to have the security of my own apartment which was secure and was monitored by a keyworker. It gave me a sense of security and safety.I hadn’t lived on my own before and I had huge reservations of how I might cope in a big city. I learned how to manage money and to pay my bills with the support of my keyworker. I was supported with the setting up of my first ESB account and I found all the staff to be extremely friendly and supportive. I also availed of the support of a counsellor who I still see over a year later from which I have grown considerably. On reflection I enjoyed my stay at Rendu Apartments as a year later my life is stable and drug free. I feel the support I received at Rendu Apartments in terms of structure, education, health and housing have greatly benefited me. I would like to thank everybody involved with the Rendu Apartments - the team and all of its funders.”

Andrew*Former Service UserRendu Apartments

*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

15The History of Rendu Apartments /1995 - 2012

VolunteersAs well as the staff team, the service is supported in a myriad of ways by a large team of volunteers. A rich history of volunteerism is a key aspect of Rendu Apartments as well as a strong focus for Depaul Ireland in supplementing the support and services we offer. The volunteers in Rendu Apartments come from many different jobs and backgrounds, but also work in a large variety of ways.

THE PEOPLE: STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

“Two years ago I had some free time and decided to offer myself as a volunteer. I have volunteered here on a weekly basis since then. The interaction with residents is a very important part of the experience, and I enjoy the chat and the laugh as well as some serious conversations that can occur. The atmosphere in Rendu is warm and calm and encouraging. Rendu is a good place to be as a volunteer!”

Volunteer since 2010Rendu Apartments

“I have been a volunteer with Rendu for nearly four years, mainly on the reception desk. Rendu holds a special place in my heart. There is something special about Rendu which is difficult to describe, but it is a nice feeling I get when I come here. Many service-users have encountered people who may have treated them unkindly. I want to show that there are people who genuinely care and believe in them. I achieve this through volunteering with Rendu. Rendu is also a supportive environment for volunteers and provides good training and other volunteer opportunities.”

Volunteer since 2008Rendu Apartments

StaffWith the transition to Depaul Ireland, the Rendu Apartments team has been supplemented and expanded. This ensures that moving forward the expertise and experience of the staff in Rendu Apartments is embedded into Depaul Ireland. An ongoing programme of training is in place for the team, including project-specific skills-based training to augment capacity and expertise in our work with marginalised families. This has ensured a strong management and project team is in place to ensure high quality service provision.

Aim

To provide a welcoming, high quality supported temporary accommodation service to women and women with children who are homeless, enabling them to progress to successful independent living and develop their full potential.

To provide high standard, safe and secure temporary accommodation specifically to support the needs of women and women with children.

To create a welcoming, helpful and friendly atmosphere.

To meet each person ‘where they are at’, carrying out holistic assessments of each individual’s needs in order to identify the relevant supports and services required to address those needs.

To work in a holistic manner and plan actions around the needs of each service user through keyworking, risk management and support planning, encouraging a journey of change for each individual, and family development to break the cycle of homelessness.

To advocate on behalf of each person where necessary, liaising effectively with other services in a joined-up case management and interagency approach to support provision.

To ensure the voice of service users is listened to.

To ensure the welfare of all adults and children is safeguarded and protected.To ensure continuous improvement to better meet the needs of those who access the service.

To assist service users to promote and protect their rights and fulfil their responsibilities.

To deliver a non-judgmental and confidential service, respecting each individual’s choice and dignity.

RENDU APARTMENTSAIM &OBJECTIVES

Objectives

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The service delivery in Rendu Apartments has been designed to specifically work with women with complex needs, including those pregnant or with children over a 6 month programme. During these 6 months positive and appropriate move-on accommodation is sourced, alongside helping service users to ensure they have the skills necessary to move to independence. There is a clear approach to service delivery, which is a person-centred model that incorporates holistic assessment, risk assessment, support planning and ongoing review alongside other agencies as part of the case management approach. The information that follows outlines the main components of this model.

The History of Rendu Apartments /1995 - 2012

MODEL OF SUPPORTPARTNERSHIP APPROACH

CASEMANAGEMENTThrough a case management approach Rendu Apartments staff work proactively with other agencies to ensure the best targeted support is in place for each service user. High levels of advocacy and joined up working mean that not only is duplication of work minimised, but the service-user receives a holistic and networked support resource from all agencies involved that is responsive to their needs. At Rendu Apartments we work to ensure that this network of supports is in place both when the service-users are in the project, but also after they move on, helping the sustainability of resettlement into independence.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPSDepaul Ireland seeks to be involved in interagency networks at all levels, both advocating on behalf of our service-user group, but also ensuring that best practice is both developed and shared. This strategic approach ensures that the service remains responsive to a changing environment by sharing and learning with partner agencies. It also ensures that the specific needs of homeless women and children are advocated for at a wider level.

It is recognised that effective work with our service-users is based on strong interagency links and partnership working. The team at Rendu Apartments are committed to interagency work on two levels. These are at an individual level with service users and at a strategic level with partner agencies.

CLOSING COMMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Booklet Design by HursonPhotography by Tim Millen & Sam Gordon

A consistent theme throughout this booklet has been the legacy and tradition that Rendu Apartments has played in this part of the inner city of Dublin in the education and support of the local community and those from outside this area. With the advent of this new generation of service provision, the long and proud history in supporting those in most need will proudly continue on this site. Depaul Ireland will use the experience that it has developed in working with women and their children to foster independence, build resilience and promote family cohesion; no matter how the families we work with are constituted. This will require hard work with others, particularly our partners in the statutory agencies, to try and tackle the underlying issues that underpin women and children’s experiences of homelessness. Women and children’s experiences can be particularly unique and the service will be operated with the fundamental understanding that Depaul Ireland has a role to play to foster security, safety and support, whilst at the same time working to assist women and their children to return to the communities to which they belong and ought to be.

Thanks must go to the following for the vision and foresight shown to progress the service to this point; the Vincentian Housing Partnership and the Daughters of Charity, the Board of Trustees of Depaul Ireland, the management, staff, volunteers and service users of Rendu Apartments, as well as our statutory partners particularly in the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, Dublin City Council and the Health Service Executive.

David CarrollDirector of ServicesDepaul Ireland

Belfast Office /Ravara House, 1 Fitzwilliam AvenueBelfast, BT7 2HJ028 9064 7755 / T

Dublin Office /18 Nicholas Street, Dublin 800353 1 453 7111 / Tdepaul@depaulireland.org / E

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