Aims and objectives
> To provide homes to people who are homeless.
> To support homeless people to have better health outcomes through interventions in drug use, mental health and disabilities.
> To provide recovery pathways for homeless people with enduring mental health issues.
> To empower and promote the independence of those who use our services.
> To treat all our clients with dignity and respect.
> To provide client-centred services, rooted in evidence, quality and good practice.
> To advocate on behalf of people who are homeless, at risk of being homeless, entrenched in addiction or those experiencing social marginalisation through a strengths-based approach.

The number of people Novas supported in 2020 exceeded 5,700 for the first time. The pandemic brought immense changes to all our lives, none more so than people experiencing homelessness and the frontline staff supporting them. The social isolation experienced by people who are homeless was compounded by closures, social distancing measures and lack of human connection. Here we take a look back at 2020 and the impact it had on Novas’ services, staff, volunteers and clients.

Social isolation was felt more keenly than ever among our client group, due to the general Covid closures. Addiction, overdose and risky drug use were also aggravated by the pandemic. Bi-weekly social welfare payments had the unintended consequence of increased drug use among some people in temporary accommodation. With more disposable income, drug use and the associated risks increased among many of our clients. Staff were subsequently responding to a significant rise in overdoses. For example in McGarry House, Naloxone was administered 42 times throughout the year, compared with 18 times in the previous twelve month period, illustrating the profound impact of the pandemic on already vulnerable and isolated people.