COPE Galway Annual Report will reveal the local charity supported 2,885 people in 2021
Monday 21 November will see COPE Galway launch their Annual Report for 2021.
The report will reveal that the local charity supported 2,885 people in Galway city and county across its Homelessness, Domestic Abuse and Senior Support services in 2021.
Speaking in advance of the launch, COPE Galway’s CEO, Michael Smyth remarked, “This represents a 10% increase on the numbers of men, women and families our organisation served the previous year, a figure that is unfortunately only going to increase as we face into the challenging social and economic landscape that lies ahead.”
COPE Galway is pleased to welcome guest speaker and human rights expert, Mr. Michael O’Flaherty, Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. Mr O’Flaherty will respond live from Vienna to a Q&A session with service leads during the launch, which takes place online from 10 to 11am. The focus will be on how the issues our service users face affect fundamental human rights, particularly the right to a home of your own, and how we can challenge inequalities in society that lead to isolation for older people and that force women and children to leave their abusive homes.
Registered attendees will hear from COPE Galway staff whose teams, despite facing wave after wave of challenges that threatened the delivery of service, managed to stay open and in operation throughout 2021. Mr Smyth continued, “It is thanks to the commitment and resilience of our staff and volunteers and the strength and determination of our clients that we were in a position to support so many in 2021. Throughout the year, our staff continuously found new ways and innovative approaches to progress our clients through our services towards a better quality of life.”
The 2021 COPE Galway Annual Report contains stories like John’s story from people in the community whose strength and determination shines through as they worked together with COPE Galway’s key workers to navigate their personal challenges. Thanks to the generosity of volunteers and supporters, who give their time, effort and donations, COPE Galway has been able to develop various initiatives and projects to directly support people in Galway who are at a vulnerable juncture on their life’s journey.
To hear more about the impact of COPE Galway’s vital work in the community, you are welcome to attend the online launch event on Monday, 21 November from 10-11am.
Register online here, or contact news@copegalway.ie for information.
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Contact: Colette Coughlan, COPE Galway Communications and Marketing Lead, 085 8589781
Download advance copy of annual report here.
Mr. Michael O’Flaherty, Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. (photo in email attachment)
Michael O’Flaherty is Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights since 2015. He is a former Professor of Human Rights at the University of Nottingham and the National University of Ireland, Galway. From 2004 to 2012 he was a member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, latterly as Vice-Chair. Mr O’Flaherty has held a variety of other positions at the United Nations, both at headquarters and in the field, in which connection he witnessed, reported on, and sought to mitigate human rights abuses in such places as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sierra Leone. He has also served as Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, as Chairperson of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, and as Vice-Chair of the Universal Rights Group. A solicitor of the Irish Courts, O’Flaherty received the Higher Doctorate of Laws from the National University of Ireland and also holds degrees in international relations, philosophy, and theology.
COPE Galway Background Information:
COPE Galway is a local Galway organisation whose vision is for a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life. COPE Galway has been delivering essential social services across Galway City and County for almost 50 years. We understand and are responsive to the needs of people in our community who struggle with the challenges of homelessness and domestic abuse and we support older people towards healthy and active ageing. We seek to make a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities.
Homelessness | Domestic Abuse | Senior Support