COPE Galway
COPE Galway provides essential social services across three service areas: homelessness, domestic abuse and senior support.
overview
Our vision is for a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life.
Our mission is making a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities.
Our services are delivered by a dedicated team of over 120 staff including social care professionals, childcare workers, community support workers, chefs and administrative support staff. Our employees are supported in their work by a committed team of over 150 volunteers.
We could not continue to provide vital services without the on-going and generous support of our volunteers, individuals and groups in the local Galway community.
For more info visit www.copegalway.ie
history
COPE Galway has been providing Social Services in Galway since the 1970’s.
The organisation was originally called Galway Social Service Council, and was set up by the Galway Diocese. The name was changed in 1996 to Galway Social Services Limited when it became a limited company and eventually to COPE in 2000, by which name it is currently known.
One of the earliest services to be offered in Galway City was the Meals on Wheels service, which was provided in conjunction with a Day Centre for the elderly which operated from our in Francis St. This centre incorporated also provided a laundry facility, chiropody and a citizens information service.
The 1980’s
In 1982 Sonas Day Centre, Mervue, was set up at Walter Macken Place. Galway City Council kindly donated 2 flats which operate as a drop-in centre with support services for the residents of the flats complex many of whom are elderly.
The Waterside Domestic Violence Refuge opened in 1981 to offer a safe refuge to women who were experiencing domestic abuse, and their children In 1995 a dedicated child care unit was introduced into the Refuge and in 1999, an outreach service was established.
In 1986 the Hostel, Westside House was built by the Western Health board to provide temporary accommodation to single homeless women. The service evolved into a hostel for homeless women with children, which also incorporated a service for unaccompanied children at risk in 1996.
The 1990’s
The Fairgreen Shelter for Homeless Men was established in 1983 in a temporary pre-fabricated building, it was originally jointly run with Galway Simon. Although only designed to last for 5 years, the building was in constant use until 1997, when the current purpose built shelter was established.
The 2000’s
In 2002, COPE, was awarded the role of managing the new emergency accommodation hostel for single homeless women, Osterley Lodge.
As the organization has expanded substantially, considerable emphasis has been placed on strengthening its structures such as formalized Policies and Procedures.
A review of the composition of the Board of Management, an increase in Core Funding, and systems to establish more meaningful staff and client participation input have been put in place. At present we are working on a Strategic Plan for the next five years. which will enable the organization to progress in a professional and measured way.