A Heartfelt Thank You to the Galway Community

With COPE Galway’s work embedded in the community for over half a century, their roots have grown deep within the heart and soul of Galway.

As we begin a new year, we bring along a sense of hope and togetherness, knowing a special relationship with the Galway Community allows COPE Galway to continue to create positive change for people who use their homeless, domestic abuse and senior support services.

We want to thank you, the Galway Community, for always standing alongside us here at COPE Galway in offering your steadfast and generous support.

Time and again, you show us how deeply you care about people who rely on our services at a vulnerable time in their lives. We take great comfort from knowing that, while we are here for you, you are always there to support our work. For this, we are sincerely grateful. Every single volunteer, community group, donor, business, family and individual supporter helps us to make a positive difference in our community.

Thanks to your compassion and support, our staff have achieved so much for the almost 3,000 men, women and children we work with across our services. Just this past Christmas season, which can be such a lonely time for so many, you stepped up. We were bowled over by the 190+ volunteers who sorted and packed over 500 hampers, who manned our Christmas market stall, who drove, delivered, shook a bucket, and so much more! Thousands of donations meant that we delivered over 1,000 gifts, countless essential items, food vouchers and treats to individuals and families across Galway.

Over 50 businesses (including schools and universities) donated items towards the appeal for hampers and gifts. Children received amazing toys. You eagerly took part in events, with over 700 of you braving the cold Galway Bay waters, business leaders and students sleeping out on Galway streets and many more of you organising local events to raise essential funds for our services.

Thanks to your support, our clients shared festive meals and heartwarming gatherings at our services.

We prepared and delivered 675 festive meals over the Christmas period. During December, our Day Centre staff welcomed 57 people, who didn’t have anywhere else to go, to enjoy a festive meal together. 53 children who use our domestic abuse children’s service gathered at our refuge for a very special visit from Santa. 87 older people attended what some considered ‘the best Christmas party ever’, and many took to the dancefloor in great spirits – a great example of positive ageing!

Despite everything, Christmas is a moment of cheer for people who face constant challenges. Every day, COPE Galway’s staff meet people in crisis. Our strength lies in our ability and desire to respond to their immediate needs, no matter what their circumstances. Our caring and professional teams, armed with expertise and unwavering commitment are there from that very first moment when someone reaches out. When people come to us, they have a safety net; they know they don’t have to face their traumas alone.

As we turn towards 2024, economic and societal challenges will persist. You can trust us to continue to work to support the most vulnerable to these challenges within our communities. We will always be there, walking alongside these strong, unique individuals; holding onto their hope, as they move out of their crisis situations towards new beginnings. We will always find ways for our local community to get involved and support us in what we do.

“Thank you for all you have done throughout 2023 to support our work in providing person-centred, trauma-informed support to each client we have the privilege of serving. Thank you for helping us bring hope where it’s needed most.”

Michael Smyth, COPE Galway CEO