COPE Galway supported more than 3,000 people experiencing homelessness, domestic abuse, isolation, and more last year.
COPE published its annual report for 2024 this week, highlighting an increased demand for services last year.
The charity supported a total of 3,184 people through a wide range of issues such as:
- 1,010 older people supported through community activities and social supports, including Meals4Health, a social enterprise of COPE Galway, who produced and delivered 98,954 meals.
- 837 women and children who are subjected to domestic abuse – supported with safe refuge, 1,519 outreach appointments, and other professional supports, such as 214 court accompaniments.
- 1,337 people who are experiencing homelessness – including 164 families with 351 children and 748 single adults – supported with specific emergency, community-based and family responses.
Commenting on the report, CEO Michael Smyth noted, “Many people in our community are experiencing significant challenges in their lives. Our teams are doing extraordinary work to keep people safe and help rebuild lives. Our staff are operating in increasingly difficult contexts, responding to complex needs.”
“At times in 2024, it felt like we were ‘running to stand still’, yet our staff stayed proactive and adaptable, finding creative ways to support people and ease the hopelessness and uncertainty too many faced in their lives.”
Child and youth-focused preventative supports
COPE Galway continued to strengthen child and youth focused preventative supports during 2024.
Solas Óg – the organisation’s therapeutic support service for children and young people affected by domestic abuse – strengthened the self-esteem, resilience and mental health of their clients through 618 private one-to-one sessions last year.
COPE Galway’s Helping Kids First Programme addressed the serious impact of homelessness on children and their parents by supporting the physical, emotional, social and educational development needs of children living in emergency accommodation, working with an average of 120 families at any one time.
Acknowledging the wider cost-of-living pressures, Mr Smyth continued, “We see the devastating impact of poverty and isolation every day. More than ever before, our teams are meeting essential needs, from providing food and clothing to laundry access, alongside crisis support.”
“In 2024, we supported 2,227 people most at risk of food poverty. When it comes to a parent having to choose between buying their child a warm winter coat or a week’s groceries, we do everything we can to make sure the family’s needs are met.”
Transformative supports
COPE Galway also focused on small but transformative supports that counter isolation and trauma.
Mr Smyth noted that the report highlights simple but creative ways the organisation tailored support to clients’ individual and evolving needs.
Throughout the year, they worked closely with clients to design small initiatives that made a meaningful difference, including:
- Creating sensory-friendly spaces within the domestic abuse service.
- Supporting clients living in emergency and temporary accommodations to enhance their gardens, building pride and enjoyment for residents.
- Developing calm spaces where clients could take a break from crisis and feel grounded.
- Early interventions for older people.
COPE Galway also supported older people through a range of early-stage interventions focused on physical activity, social connection, and developing new skills. In 2024:
284 older people took part in community activities such as lunch clubs, coffee mornings, technology workshops, and enjoyed Zumba and other classes at The Bungalow in Mervue.
Sonas Social Centre continued to welcome people who depend on daily drop-ins for connection and support.
Senior Support Service carried out 216 home-befriending visits, with trained volunteers offering companionship and helping older people remain living independently at home.
The report also reveals exceptional volunteer engagement in 2024, with 164 new volunteers recruited, making up a total of 253 volunteers in over 30 roles.
Reflecting on the organisation’s work during a challenging year, Mr Smyth said, “I want to thank our almost 200 dedicated professionals, who meet and connect with each person without judgement, tailoring supports to their unique circumstances.” I also want to pay tribute to the courage and resilience of the people we worked with in 2024, some of whose stories are generously shared in this report.”
“For 60 years, COPE Galway has held on to the hope of the people who turn to us, walking alongside them and supporting them at their most difficult moments,” he said.
“Going forward, we remain determined to meet the challenges ahead, grounded in the support and strengths of our staff, volunteers, supporters and community, who remain at the heart of our ability to respond.”
“As we continue shaping our services around lived experience and aspirations, we are ready for the road ahead. We invite you to learn more in our 2024 Annual Report.”
