Watch: Once homeless, now helping - one family's story

A woman who experienced homelessness and addiction has spoken of her pride in seeing the work her 22-year-old son does on the frontline of the crisis in Dublin.

Denise O'Connor was speaking after joining her son Brandon and his team of volunteers as they helped the homeless in the city centre.

"I wanted to follow his team for a night to bring home to people, to say there is a light at the end of the tunnel," Ms O'Connor said.

Brandon set up the Dublin Homeless Awareness group when he was in Transition Year.

He was moved to take action because of what his mother was going through, and because he wanted to get more young people involved in volunteering.

"If it wasn't for Brandon backing me, I wouldn't be here today. I'm so proud of him. I'm really, really proud of him," Ms O'Connor explained.

World Homeless Day is observed internationally on 10 October every year.

"I'm inspired that my mother can come out of this and help me. It shows people who are in addiction and homelessness that it can just be a phase and a chapter in someone's life."

Watch our video to see Brandon and Denise's story.