“I joined COPE Galway’s Senior Support team in early 2024. The purpose of my role is to build on existing physical health activities at The Bungalow by introducing more community-driven activities. I engage with the community, listen to clients, understand their needs and design programmes that feel meaningful and fun.
We provide opportunities for older adults to take control of their wellbeing through a combination of physical activities, creative or practical workshops, and socialising through coffee and lunch club gatherings. Everything we do here supports physical and mental health, while encouraging a sense of community.
We’ve seen a big increase in visitors to The Bungalow this year.
“People engage with The Bungalow in different ways. Some drop in for activities. Others come nearly every day. They chat about their families, their appointments, their weekend plans – we’ve developed a deep trust and connection and have become part of each other’s routines. This year, we collaborated on a mural project to help make the space feel more personal. We’ve also started a walking group, which has physical and social benefits. Today, we hosted a storytelling session about the Mervue area, bringing people together to share memories. One participant even shared photos from her wedding and soon realised she had been neighbours with another participant.
“One woman took part in a podcast and posed for photos for Positive Ageing Week. She told me, ‘I never thought at my age I’d be doing new things like this.’ That’s what this is all about— helping people realise that ageing doesn’t mean you stop seeking new experiences. Socialising is particularly important for positive ageing. Many older adults experience isolation as friends move away, pass on, or go into nursing homes. Here, they reconnect, become part of something again, and feel valued.