Deloitte has celebrated a successful six-year partnership with Simon Community, Northern Ireland’s leading homelessness charity, which has seen almost £190,000 raised through fundraising initiatives.
Simon Community works without judgement to support people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.
The relationship is now evolving with the Simon Community moving into a new office space in Catalyst Bedford Street, the innovation hub in the Ewart building supported by Deloitte. The Belfast office space places the charity at the heart of the city, alongside leading businesses in The Ewart, creating new opportunities for partnerships and collaboration.
Deloitte’s partnership with Simon Community has covered three main areas – fundraising, volunteering, and providing pro bono services. The firm has supported a wide range of fundraising activity including Simon Community’s annual sleep out, taking part in the Belfast City Marathon, and abseiling down Belfast Castle.
One of the partnership’s largest projects has been to support a collaboration with Groundwork NI and the Northern Ireland Prison Service to develop a garden site at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre. Deloitte also helped Simon Community procure a new client management system and included the charity in Deloitte Ireland’s flagship annual fundraising event, One Good Turn.
Marie Doyle, Office Senior Partner for Deloitte Belfast, said: “Our people have loved the opportunity to volunteer and fundraise with the Simon Community across various initiatives, and we are looking forward to our relationship with Simon Community continuing as they move into Catalyst Bedford Street. Deloitte’s work with the organisation is part of our commitment to the people of Belfast.”
Jim Dennison, Simon Community CEO said: “We’re grateful to everyone at Deloitte who gave their time, energy, and ideas over the past six years. Their support helped us improve our services and had a real impact on the people we help – not least through their role in supporting the development of our Creating Homes Programme, which is helping us move people out of homelessness and into permanent housing.
“Our new office at Catalyst Bedford Street is a fantastic opportunity for the charity — placing us right in the heart of the city and within reach of the wider business community. It’s more than just a new address; it’s a space that supports how we work. Being based here helps us stay connected and strengthen the relationships that are central to our work.”