Recent Examples of Assistance We Have Provided
SIRKS plays a vital role in assisting individuals and families who face challenging life circumstances.
From supporting individuals with complex health needs to assisting families facing financial hardship due to unexpected circumstances, SIRKS offers a broad spectrum of assistance. This includes funding for medical costs, educational support, housing repairs, specialized equipment, and much more. We are committed to providing meaningful help that restores dignity and stability to those in need.
However, it is important to note that SIRKS’ services are only accessible through registered social workers, who apply on behalf of individuals facing significant hardship.
Recent Examples of Assistance We Have Provided
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Elderly
An elderly applicant was referred to Roomkeepers by a hospital as the patient had a large electricity bill which they were unable to pay.
We were able to assist with a once-off payment and supply food vouchers to help the person get through a particularly difficult time.
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Terminal Illness
A terminally-ill applicant, unfit for work and living alone, with no entitlement to housing assistance, provided with food vouchers to help tide them over a very rough patch.
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Reduced Circumstances
Supporting a middle-aged couple, one of whom was struck down with a serious illness.
With reduced income, no benefit entitlements and rapidly mounting bills, they could no longer meet their needs. Food vouchers were provided to help tide them over.
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Complex Health Needs
Providing an elderly applicant with complex health needs and living in sub-standard accommodation with the necessary funding (making up a shortfall which State authorities and other charities could not provide) so that pest-extermination, deep-cleaning, and essential furniture and bedding replacement could take place.
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Education-Related Costs
Assisting a family who had fallen behind in education-related costs for one of their children, in circumstances where the sole-earner in the family was unexpectedly but temporarily unwell and unable to work. The family has several children, including one with additional needs.
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Essential Medical Costs
Assisting with essential medical costs for a house-bound applicant with a serious illness and who, for complex domestic reasons, had been unable to access any medical advice or assistance for eight years.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder
Funding the purchase of specialist sensory toys and educational aids for a child living with an autism spectrum disorder in circumstances where the child and their family (including several sibling) live in crowded accommodation, and the toys and aids assist the child when they are over-stimulated.
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Specialist Footwear
Funding the purchase of specialist footwear needed by the applicant due to after-effects of their cancer treatment.
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Skip Hire & Waste Removal
Funding the cost of skip hire to assist with the removal of waste from the de-cluttering of a house/garden which helped facilitate the return of the family’s children from social care.
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Home Security System
Funding the purchase and installation of a home security system for an applicant with complex additional mental health difficulties who had moved into a new home.
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Car Insurance
Funding the cost of car insurance for a family living in accommodation for the homeless who need to bring their children to a school which is over 20km away.
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Home Decoration
Funding the purchase of paint so that a partner charity could repaint the house of an elderly person.
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Wheelchair-Accessible Ramp
Funding part of the cost of a specialist wheelchair-accessible ramp to facilitate early discharge from hospital and return to home for a person with incurable cancer.
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Third Level School Fees
Funding one year’s fees for a level 7 course of education for a rehabilitated former drug user.
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Emergency Assistance Pendant Alarm
Funding the purchase of an emergency assistance pendant alarm for a person living alone and with multiple health issues, so that they may be able to continue living in their own home with some peace of mind.
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Occupational Health Report
Funding the cost of an occupational health report to facilitate an application for a house adaptation grant for a person with multiple health issues.
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Counselling Services
Funding counselling services for an older person whose marriage had broken up.
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Play Therapy
Funding play therapy for a child whose parents had broken up.
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Crèche Fees
Funding arrears of crèche fees for the child of a recently separated single parent.
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Autism Assessment
Funding an autism assessment to allow a child living in homelessness to take up their school place.
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Apartment Management Fees
Funding a portion of annual apartment management/maintenance fees for an elderly person, where those fees had substantially and unexpectedly increased.
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Headlice Treatment
Funding headlice treatment for the teenaged child of a single parent.
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Locksmith Costs
Funding locksmith costs for secure doors in the home of an autistic child.
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Specialist Disability Buggy
Funding the purchase of a specialised buggy for a child living with a disability.
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Landscaping Work
Funding landscaping work in the garden of a person living with blindness, so as to allow them safe access.
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New Born Baby Items
Funding the purchase of necessary baby items for a child due shortly to a pregnant woman currently in the asylum process.
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Cognitive Assessment
Funding a cognitive assessment for a teenager, which assessment had been recommended by the Child and Adult Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
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Dementia Assessment
Funding the cost of a driving assessment for a person with early-onset dementia who needs the use of a car in order to retain their independence.
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Security System
Funding the cost of security system for a person fleeing domestic abuse.
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Leisure Activity
Funding leisure activities for children who had a suffered a recent trauma in the family.
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Home Heating
Funding the cost of installation of a new radiator for person whose Social Welfare income was insufficient to meet both this cost and other essentials.
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Mental Health Counselling
Funding mental health counselling for a teenager who suffered sexual abuse.
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Home Improvements
Funding the cost of a new shower for a young mother with early onset dementia.
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School Materials
Funding the cost of school materials for children of single mother in emergency accommodation.
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Recliner / Riser Chair
Funding the cost of a recliner/riser chair for widowed person with mobility issues.
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Respite Care
Funding the cost of respite care for a person with a terminal illness.
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Home Repairs
Funding the cost of repair to a floor for a recently bereaved young woman on social welfare.
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Spectacles
Funding the purchase of spectacles for a registered blind person relying on Social Welfare.
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Reading Pen
Funding the purchase of a reading pen for a person with literacy issues and medical problems.
We provide essential support to those who have exhausted other options, particularly those referred to us by social workers and partner charities.
As a charity of last resort, our focus is on resolving immediate, practical challenges that can significantly improve the lives of our applicants. Our services are designed to meet critical needs that are not addressed by the state or other charitable organizations.
Our assistance is carefully reviewed and managed to ensure it has a lasting, positive impact. However, it is important to note that SIRKS’ services are only accessible through registered social workers, who apply on behalf of individuals facing significant hardship. SIRKS does not provide direct assistance to the public.
Through the contributions of our donors and partners, we continue to make a difference in the lives of those who have nowhere else to turn. Explore the ways in which SIRKS has helped those in need below, and learn more about how you can support our mission.
How We Help
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Financial Support
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Providing Fresh Starts
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Personal Devlopment
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Community Needs
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Unlocking Opportunities
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Helping to Rebuild Lives
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