St Eugene’s Court in Birmingham exists to provide appropriate support and quality accommodation, to Older Irish Men who have found themselves socially excluded from housing and other services across the City of Birmingham because of issues such as race, culture, mental health, lifestyle etc.
The accommodation at St Eugenes Court comprises of a derelict factory building within the Digbeth area of Birmingham known as the Irish Quarter, which was refurbished in 2003 by Focus Housing to contain 44 apartments, communal areas, and facilities to ensure an environment that would constitute safe and secure housing that was appropriate for the present and future needs of the client group.
St Eugenes Court was developed in response to research produced in 1999/2000 by the Birmingham Irish Community Forum, and the Irish Welfare and Information Centre. This research was funded by the Irish Government Dion Fund, and Focus Housing Association, and was titled OLDER IRISH MEN: Health and Social Care in Birmingham, (Full report available from the Irish Welfare and Information Service, 0121 604 6111).
The research identified an increased group of Older Irish Men who are prone to illness and disability with high mortality rates and levels of suicide. The causes of these ranged from industrial injuries to self-neglect and alcohol misuse, which are affected by factors such as mental health, housing, and social isolation. This group were unlikely to be in work, live in sub-standard accommodation, and would have experience of violent crime. The research made recommendations that solutions be found by service providers in areas of health, social care and housing, i.e. specifically targeted services for Older Irish Men, which would include cultural awareness, service sensitivity, gateways to health care, partnerships between statutory and voluntary organisations whereby Older Irish Men are more likely to receive a thorough and appropriate service etc.
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