Board Members

Mendicity Board Member Recruitment

February 2026

Who We Are

Mendicity, Dublin’s oldest working charity, has been serving the city’s most vulnerable for 208 years. Throughout its extensive history, Mendicity has had many notable figures as Directors, such as Daniel O’Connell and members of the Bewley family. Today, we continue our tradition of support by providing free meals, hygiene facilities, and advocacy to individuals experiencing homelessness and marginalisation. Our centre is open 80 hours each week across 6 days, offering a welcoming space for those in need.

Our Mission

It is our mission to disrupt and prevent the cycle of homelessness by enabling and empowering individuals to become self-sufficient members of their communities

From October 2024 to October 2025, there was an 11.3 per cent increase in the number of homeless adults and a 13.5 per cent increase in the number of homeless children. Like all charities, Mendicity has had to adapt and evolve in a changing and increasingly complex country where homelessness has become a deepening emergency and asylum seekers and migrants form a substantial proportion of service users.   

Our Service

Currently located in Island St, off Ushers Quay, Mendicity offers services free of charge, including:

• A meal service (3 meals daily + snacks/tea/coffee)
• Daytime shelter with access to Wi-Fi and charging facilities
• Hygiene: shower, laundry, hygiene packs, clean clothes
• Advocacy, and accommodation & employment support
• Access to GP healthcare through Safety Net Primary Care
• Social Enterprise, offering employment to people experiencing homelessness

The provision of a safe and non-threatening city centre place offering food, friendship and support to the isolated, marginalised and vulnerable aims to empower people to move away from homelessness to a full engagement in community life.

At present, Mendicity is a company limited by guarantee and employees 13 staff.

We are seeking passionate and committed individuals to join our voluntary Board of Directors. As a board member, you will play a vital role in guiding the strategic direction and governance of Mendicity, helping us to sustain and expand our impact in the community.

About the Role

• Support the charity’s mission and uphold its values.
• Contribute to the development and oversight of strategic plans.

Who We’re Looking For

• Individuals with a passion for social justice and homelessness support.
• New members to ensure the relevance and sustainability of Mendicity and continue to fulfil our vision and mission we are now seeking new Board members. 

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining Mendicity as a board member, please send a brief expression of interest to info@mendicity.org FAO: Aileen Cashman by the 27th February. The Board hope to appoint new directors by the end of March 2026.  Current member of the board Aileen Cashman will coordinate this recruitment on behalf of the board of directors. 

For further information about Mendicity, visit our website at mendicity.org.

Join us in making a lasting difference in Dublin. Together, we can continue Mendicity’s proud and positive legacy of compassion and community support.