Service Impact in 2022
2,961 People
supported across our services
1,217
914 adults and 303 children supported by Homeless Services
843
617 women and 226 children supported by Domestic Abuse Services
901
Older people supported by Senior Support Services
In 2022, demand for our services stretched our resources to the maximum. Yet the responsiveness and strength of Our People (staff and volunteers), and the resilience of the people we serve never waned. Our People demonstrated unwavering professionalism and dedication as they provided person-centred, trauma-informed and demand led services, even in emergency and crisis situations.
Homeless Services
1,217
people in Galway who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
914
Adults
303
Children
136
Families
699
Singles & Couples
Responding to Challenges in 2022
In Summer 2022, COPE Galway actively sought premises with Galway City Council to operate a Cold Weather Response for Winter 22/23. Despite our best efforts, no suitable premises could be identified. This led to concerns amongst staff for the safety and wellbeing of people who were rough sleeping in the city and fears for what the winter would bring during a worsening national homelessness crisis.
To address the challenge posed by the lack of an available building for CWR and to ensure service to vulnerable rough sleepers during the high risk winter months, COPE Galway adopted a fresh approach. This involved four COPE Galway Homeless Services working closely with one another to together provide the best service possible in exceptionally difficult circumstances.
I have greats chats with Paula. She just listens. Paula makes me feel like I can do things and I’m not stuck doubting myself. She boosts me up. That confidence boost has made me get up and do things to make my life better.”
Eileen
When I first joined this team, it became clear to me that each family’s story is unique and that being homeless was only one part of a much larger picture in people’s lives. We find the positive wherever we can and always look to encourage the families to do the same, while understanding that at times this can be an almost insurmountable challenge for people without homes.”
Amy McLoughlin, Acting Team Leader, Family Support Service
Celebrating 20 years at Osterley Lodge in 2022 – Paula Nolan, (Project Worker, Community Based Housing), Elaine Power (Osterley Lodge Manager) and Lisa Silke, Homeless Service (Quality & Best Practice Manager). All three began working in Osterley Lodge when it was set up in 2002.
Domestic Abuse Service
843
women and their 226 children who are impacted by domestic abuse
130
Women admitted to refuge with 169 children
1,312
Outreach appointments for 257 clients
260
Court appointment with 244 women
3,874
Crisis and support calls
They gave me full support and through that I feel confident to make the right choice, to take I feel confident to take the right path path in my life. I feel positive for what the future holds for me and my children.“
Rae, serviceclient
Our Domestic Abuse Service supported 843 women and children in Galway who were impacted by domestic abuse.
Marking 40 years with art
In 2022, we seized a unique opportunity to mark the 40th anniversary of COPE Galway’s Domestic Abuse Service. In November, in collaboration with ATU’s Radius Project and funded by Medtronic, we proudly unveiled our “We See You, We Hear You” art installation. This poignant art installation paid homage to the courageous women who took the first steps to ring our doorbell in 1981 and lay the foundation for “another way” (Modh Eile) for every woman and child to be free from abuse.
Spotlight: Celebrating our longest serving team member
If Jackie could give advice to her 30-year-old self, it would be around self-care, knowledge of the effects of working with trauma, and a good work life balance.
I would describe the highs in my career as my work with women, witnessing their courage and survival skills in the face of domestic abuse.”
Jackie Carroll, Training and Development Lead
Senior Support Services
901
older people in Galway supported towards healthy, independent ageing at home.
71,006
Meals delivered to homes, lunch clubs and COPE Galway services
258
Individuals availed of our community activities and support
419
Volunteer befriending visits to 14 older individuals.
2,544
Supported through FEAD Programme
Senior Support Service, 2022 Highlights
The emphasis in 2022 was to encourage people of all ages, most especially those in older age, to rediscover their confidence in meeting up with friends, family and neighbours in the wake of restrictions. Throughout the year, our Community Support Workers arranged activities and sought opportunities to encourage socialising, with many activities in our Sonas Drop-in Centre and The Bungalow – our new community hub.
As an innovative social enterprise, Meals4Health has been making strides in providing nutritionally appropriate, affordable, and convenient kidney-friendly meal options. In 2022, we developed renal diet meals. Our team works closely with healthcare professionals to ensure the meals are tailored to the individual’s unique needs.
“Meals4Health has been very generous with their time in working to adapt recipes to ensure their meals are safe for patients with kidney disease, who need to limit their intake of salt, potassium and phosphate without compromising on taste… The patients I have spoken to have given great reports on the taste of the meals from Meals4Health and love the convenience of being able to order online or by phone.”
– Mary Horan, Renal Dietitian, Tallaght Hospital.
I feel you’re always going to need to have young and old together to share and pass on different things. It really rejuvenates the community.”
Carmel and Frances
Our befriending service matches older people in the community with volunteers who carry our home visits to help combat loneliness and isolation.
One of the biggest issues our clients face is social isolation. Now, in the mornings, they’re chatting round the table having the craic or sharing their problems with one another. It’s comfort and a peer support for them. It’s just amazing.”
Louise, Support Worker, Senior Support Service
Louise is a support worker with COPE Galway’s Senior Support Service. Here, she shares her observations of how the Sonas Drop-in Centre has an impact on the local people who use the service.
2022 Annual Report & Audited Accounts
2022 COPE Galway Annual Report.
2022 COPE Galway Audited Accounts.
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