
This is HCD – Human-Centered Design, UX & Service Design Thinking Podcast Systems of Care – Allen Bobinac on Rethinking Homelessness and Addiction Support Services
Aug 12, 2025
01:07:28
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In this powerful walking episode through Dublin, Gerry speaks with Allen Bobinac, manager of The Lighthouse Café and a man whose journey from sleeping rough in St Stephen’s Green to leading one of Ireland’s most compassionate homelessness services is nothing short of remarkable. Allen shares how lived experience shapes better services, the importance of designing for dignity, and why community is the secret ingredient in recovery. You’ll hear first-hand about Tiglin’s long-term, holistic approach to addiction, trauma, and homelessness, and the vital role of trust, leadership, and purpose in transforming lives.
Key Learnings:
• Lived experience in leadership ensures services truly meet people’s needs.
• Designing for dignity builds trust, safety, and belonging in vulnerable communities.
• Long-term, community-centred support is crucial for breaking cycles of homelessness and addiction.
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-bobinac-ma-1188241a5/
- https://www.tiglin.ie/
Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
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- Gerry Scullion - Host
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