HOMELINK AND OTHERS HOMELESS AFTER BUSINESS PARK BLAZE
A support service for older people and an art studio in the same building were gutted by a fire in the early hours of last Wednesday morning. HomeLink, Easi- Cab Travel Club and Outpost Studios were all left without premises due to the fire at the council-owned property.
HomeLink provides a regular phone call service to enable older people to remain living at home safely. They remind clients about medication or doctors’ appointments, carry out small jobs in the home, and hold social events in the community. The centre caters for over 1,000 members and staff continued making calls to clients from sitting rooms, the morning after the fire.
Pat Mellon, general manager of HomeLink, said that Sunbeam House Services very quickly offered and moved them into office space to facilitate them until they can make more permanent arrangements. Computers, phone lines and vital information were all lost in the blaze and Pat said that they are working with pen and paper so that they can still be there for their members. He described being alerted to the fire in the early hours of the morning. ‘Coming to the building and seeing it on fire, your first thought was that, thankfully, there was nobody in it, and it’s just a building.
‘But it’s more than just a building. It’s the heartbeat for services for 1,000 people.’ He said that he couldn’t thank enough the fire service, gardai, council, Sunbeam, and everyone who has offered to help in some way.‘ The priority now is staying in touch with our members during the coming weather alert,’ said Pat. ‘We are here. The phone calls are continuing and the bus service is running as normal.’
Outpost was founded in 2014 by artists Joanne Boyle, Raine Hozier Byrne, Rachel Fallon, Emma Finucane, Laura Kelly, Joanna Kidney, Eleanor Phillips and Ann Marie Webb.
Eleanor Phillips said that they have lost so much that is irreplaceable, including her late partner’s writings, and photos of the late sister of another artist. They have also lost vital pieces such as exhibition catalogues, tax papers and more. ‘I learned about it the next day, arrived, and there was just no building,’ said Eleanor. The visual artists collective said that they have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generous offers of their community. They are now taking refuge in the Mermaid this week, and considering how to move forward and rebuild Outpost in some form. Both organisations are in need of new premises and equipment. Anyone who can help in any way can call HomeLink on 085 8003834. For Outpost studios, the group can be found on Facebook or email outpostartiststudios@gmail.com.