Our History, From 1965 to Today 

The origins of COPE Galway trace back to 1965, when the Galway Social Service Council was formed by representatives of local voluntary organisations who recognised the need for a coordinated response to emerging social issues in the city. This was a period marked by strong volunteer effort and an increasing awareness of the challenges faced by people in Galway.

In 1966, the Galway Social Service Centre opened on St Francis Street. It served as an information point for older people and hosted one of the organisation’s earliest services, Meals on Wheels. During these early years, the focus was on building connections across voluntary groups and identifying where supports were most needed.

A 1976 report highlighted the changing reality for many people in Galway including “family problems relating to alcoholic spouse,” homelessness among men, and the need to expand Meals on Wheels. These findings guided the organisation’s growing role as a central coordinator of social supports.

From the late 1970s into the early 1990s, the organisation entered a period of significant expansion. In 1979, the council launched H.O.M.E. (Housing Organisation Management Executive) to support older people who required appropriate housing. A newly developed Social Services Centre opened the same year, providing an operational base for 42 voluntary organisations.

The early 1980s brought increased service delivery to meet more complex needs. In 1980, responsibility for Meals on Wheels transferred fully to the organisation.

In June 1981, Waterside House opened as a “hostel for distressed mothers and their children” and Sonas Day Centre, in Mervue a year later in 1982 to operate as a drop-in centre with support services for older people in the local area.

Homelessness also emerged as an urgent issue. The Fairgreen Shelter was established in 1983 to provide temporary accommodation for 16 homeless men. In 1986, Westside House Hostel opened on a night‑shelter basis for homeless women and unmarried mothers.

The 1990s marked major developments in both homeless and domestic abuse supports. An official visit to Waterside House by President Mary Robinson in 1991 drew national attention to the work taking place there.

In 2000, the organisation entered a new phase with its rebrand to Cope (Crisis Housing Caring Support Ltd). This marked the beginning of modernisation across key service areas.

Homeless services expanded further when Cope was appointed in 2002 to manage Osterley Lodge, a 24‑hour emergency accommodation service for single women who were homeless.

Meals on Wheels continued to grow. In 2005, the service moved to a larger kitchen and facility in Ballybane, where it became known as Community Catering.

Service coordination also evolved. In 2007, Families Outreach, the Homeless Referral Service, and the Out‑of‑Hours Service were brought together as the Day Centre Service to provide more integrated support.

The organisation relaunched in 2008 under the name COPE Galway, establishing the identity used today.

The 2010s saw increased visibility and community connection. In 2013, the first COPE Galway Charity Shop was opened on St Augustine Street, creating a new point of community engagement and funding for services.

Volunteer excellence was recognised nationally in 2018 when the COPE Galway achieved the ‘Investing in Volunteers’ National Quality Standard. That same year, the meals service was redeveloped and renamed Meals4Health, later receiving an Age Friendly Award (2019) and Social Enterprise of the Year at the 2020 National Charity Impact Awards.

In 2019, COPE Galway developed Solas Óg, a dedicated service to support children and young people impacted by domestic abuse and to deliver healthy relationship programmes to schools and youth groups.

In 2020, Modh Eile House opened as the new home of COPE Galway’s Domestic Abuse Service. It replaced Waterside House and provided a modern, purpose‑built refuge and support space for women, children and young people.

Work with older people continued to expand. In 2022, The Bungalow opened in Mervue as a community hub for older people, in addition to the long‑standing Sonas Social Centre.

Also in 2022, COPE Galway adopted Trauma Informed Practice across all services, embedding principles of safety, empowerment and trust throughout the organisation. The Domestic Abuse Service marked 40 years with the launch of the “We See You, We Hear You” art installation, sharing the stories and experiences of women who had been subjected to domestic abuse.

From December 2025 into 2026, COPE Galway marks sixty years of service, partnership and community impact.

Today, COPE Galway supports more than 3,000 people each year across our homeless, domestic abuse and senior support services. Our work now spans Galway city and county, and extends into Roscommon and Mayo, while Meals4Health delivers nationwide.

Nearly 200 staff and more than 250 volunteers contribute to this work, continuing the spirit of community involvement that defined the organisation from its earliest days.

In 2026, COPE Galway begins delivery of its 2026–2028 Strategy, guiding the next chapter of its development.

As we mark sixty years, COPE Galway continues to evolve, grounded in local action, partnership and the belief that people working together can create lasting change.