COPE Galway is holding its Annual Volunteer Recognition Event this Wednesday 18 May in the Ardilaun Hotel. The event will be held during National Volunteer Week (16-22 May) to recognise the invaluable contribution made by the local charity’s ‘tribe’ of almost 200 volunteers.
Speaking in advance of the event, COPE Galway CEO, Michael Smyth, said he is looking forward to the opportunity to personally thank COPE Galway’s team of volunteers.“Without the time, expertise and commitment our team of volunteers offers our organisation, we could not continue to provide our range of supports across all our services around Galway. We believe in the power of community, and it is very important to us that we recognise the hard and invaluable work our volunteers do.”
Lucia Canavan, COPE Galway’s Volunteer Coordinator commented, “This event is a wonderful opportunity for our volunteers to get together, meet fellow volunteers in a relaxed setting, and hear about each other’s volunteering experiences.”
The development of the new COPE Galway strategy gave us an opportunity to take stock, to reflect on our successes to date, to challenge ourselves as to how we can improve, and to think about the kind of community and society we want to create and in which we want to participate. A community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life. The strategy is very exciting both for volunteers and staff at COPE Galway.
One of the COPE Galway Charity Shop volunteers said, “Volunteering has such a positive impact on my life. It keeps me busy and makes me feel confident and happy!” Another volunteer said of his work, “It was an unbelievable experience to give something back to the community.”
At COPE Galway, a vibrant team of almost 200 volunteers help across all the local charity’s services in over 30 volunteer roles, including Driver, Kitchen Assistant, Food Rescue, Befriender, Day Centre, Lunch Club, IT Skills, eLearning Club, Shop Assistant, Fundraising & Administration and many more. The organisation also has volunteers who help out on an occasional basis at fundraising events and on their short term corporate Helping Hands Projects, doing valuable work in our services and also sharing skills.
“What is key for us is that our volunteers have a good experience with us. Our loyal and dedicated team of volunteers span across all age ranges and are crucial to the running of our services and achieving our mission of making a difference by empowering people, creating change, and strengthening communities,” said Lucia.
The COPE Galway Volunteer Recognition Event takes place at the Ardilaun Hotel on Wednesday 18th May at 2.30pm.
If you would like to volunteer with COPE Galway browse the current volunteering opportunities or contact Lucia Canavan, Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@copegalway.ie, phone, 091 778 750.
Note to editor:
• Photos from the COPE Galway Recognition Event will be available after the event.
• We can arrange to have a volunteer available for interview if you wish to explore the volunteering experience further.
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 providing essential social services across these three service areas to the people of Galway on behalf of the state since the 1970s. They offer support services from 11 locations across the city with a team of 170 employees and almost 200 volunteers.
The COPE Galway Approach is one of understanding, respect and response to positively impact the lives of people who struggle with the challenges of homelessness and domestic abuse and supports older people towards healthy and active ageing. This approach recognises that each person has attributes and strengths that can make positive differences in their own lives.
COPE Galway’s strategy for 2020-2025 focuses the organisation on its mission: Making a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities. COPE Galway places its values – rights, respect, hope, community, safety and professionalism – at the heart of its work in the community.