Jane's Place Women’s Services at MQI
All of our services welcome women, however in 2019 we saw that the numbers of women coming through our door were not representative of the numbers we felt needed the services. After some research, it was clear that females often did not feel comfortable coming into spaces which were predominately used by men.
So, in 2022 Merchants Quay Ireland launched Jane’s Place, an all-female service that offers one-to-one and group support to women who are dealing with homelessness and addiction issues.
A safe, warm and welcoming environment that provides holistic, trauma informed services such as Wellbeing Groups, Self-Care Days and Psycho-educational health, to name but a few.
You can contact the team:
| Contact Details | Location |
Call 086 197 5117 or 086 107 8384 Or for queries email janesplace@mqi.ie | 28 Denzille Lane (off Holles Street) Dublin 2, DO2 KD36 |
Jane’s Place services include:
- One to One Keyworking
- GP and Nursing Service
- Counselling Service
- Mental Health Support
- Health and Wellbeing Groups
- Addiction Education/Stabilisation Groups
- Social Activities
This service also offers a program focusing on recovery and healing from trauma and offers art therapy, mindfulness, maintaining physical and mental wellbeing and understanding trauma.
MQI’s female services are fully inclusive of women of all backgrounds including LGBTQI+ women, migrant women, women in addiction and women involved in sex work.
We have an onsite Medical team who provide Women’s specific healthcare, including;
- Smear Tests
- Breast Checks
- S.T.I. and Blood Borne Virus Screening
- Wound Care (includes compression dressings, suture & staple removal)
- Contraception: Long-term & Emergency
- Management of chronic diseases e.g.: epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, COPD
- Vaccines
- Minor Injuries.
Take a Tour of Jane's Place
History of our first all-female service
In 2019, Merchants Quay Ireland and Dr Sarah Morton of UCD conducted research into the complex needs of women who are homeless and in addiction. This research showed that women are often unable or unwilling to access existing services. Higher rates of gender-based violence, sex work and coercive control among women can leave them too ashamed, stigmatised and afraid to seek the help they need.
International research shows that female-only spaces facilitate greater emotional and physical safety for women, especially those who have experienced trauma and abuse.
In response to these findings, MQI has introduced Jane’s Place, a gender-specific service for women who are homeless and/or in addiction in Dublin city centre. The service, staffed only by women, provides a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental environment in which women can access support.
Jane's Place Team
Susan - Service Co-ordinator
Hi, I’m Susan. I’ve been working in Jane’s Place since June 2023 when we were in a temporary building waiting for our forever home in Denzille Lane. I’m delighted we’ve moved now and I love the new building. I started working in homeless services in 2009 but my passion has always been working with addiction. I trained as an Addiction Counsellor after my Social Care Degree, and 8 years after graduating as an Addiction Counsellor, I went on to study Counselling & Psychotherapy. I’ve worked in homeless & addiction services for 15 years now and love the kindness, generosity and resilience I see everyday between women in Jane’s Place. Have a look at our video above- I hope you see something you might like, and please come and check it out for yourself. This is your safe space to heal, hope, and be you!
Layla - Counsellor
Hi, I'm Layla, I am the Counsellor in Jane's Place. I have been working here since May 2024. I have worked in addiction services for over 10 years, first as an Addiction Counsellor and more recently a general Counsellor and Art Psychotherapist. My work here in Jane's Place includes one to one counselling and facilitating groups on psycho-education and addiction recovery. I also facilitate a weekly Art Therapy group. I love working with the women who come to Jane's Place as I feel it is really important for all women to have the support they need when coping with challenging issues in their lives. I hope you find the support and safe space you need here in Jane's Place.
Maya - Project Worker
Hi, I’m Maya. I’ve been working in the organisation since June 2023. I am a Project Worker and provide both individual and group support. Within my role I will work with you as an individual and in groups to provide support, empowerment, access to information and advocacy. I also run groups that range from psychoeducation to wellbeing activities. I have a background in Gender Studies and Global Health often sharing my nutrition experience in my role. I hope that Jane’s Place and our team become a sanctuary that leaves you feeling empowered, cared for, and safe.
Orla - Project Worker
Hi, I’m Orla, I am a Project worker here in Jane’s Place since October 2024. I have worked in addiction/homeless services for over 6 years. I have a background as a holistic therapist, providing and promoting the practice of mindfulness and self-care to be included as part of your care plan. I also have experience as an outreach worker, providing crisis intervention supports to people on the street as well as individuals that experience difficulty attending services. My role here in Jane’s Place will be to provide client centred support using a trauma informed approach in developing individualised care plan’s, a wide range of supports, provide information and advocacy. I hope that each of you feel at home here at Jane’s place, a friendly face to talk to, a nonjudgmental ear to be heard and to feel like you have been treated with the upmost respect and compassion but most of all to feel that this is your safe space.
Ciara - Project Worker
Hi, I’m Ciara, I am a project worker here in Janes Place. I joined the team in October 2024, I started working in homeless services in 2020 while I was finishing off my social care degree. I then completed my qualification in Sexuality Education and Sexual Wellbeing, hoping to break the stigma and create positive spaces to talk about sexual health. My work here in Janes Place will include working with you to achieve your goals and facilitating groups and activities here. I hope you find the encouragement and safe environment you need at Jane's Place.
