Galway charity cope wants to hear your views

By Sinead Farrell

COPE Galway is currently preparing the strategic plan for the period 2013 – 2015.

The plan aims to set out how COPE Galway, working with its staff, volunteers, funders, partner agencies, and the community, can best respond to the needs of people who are vulnerable or isolated within the locality.

As part of the preparation for the development of the strategic plan, the public are being encouraged to submit their recommendations. This invitation is extended to both those who have no affiliation with COPE, as well as those who are active in the organisation. COPE hopes the exercise will help it to understand what people believe are their key needs, what they see as valuable, and how COPE can meet those demands.

Jacquie Horan, CEO of COPE Galway, says: “We really value the role of the community in helping us to address issues of isolation. We see our role as encouraging and enabling the people of Galway to respond to their natural instinct to be good neighbours and to attend to those who experience isolation. Without the support of the community in so many ways, we would not be able to continue to offer our range of services.”

COPE Galway is a local Galway charity which helps those who are isolated in community - Women and children affected by domestic violence seeking respite and support; homeless men and women in need of shelter; and the elderly who require social support. COPE also provides community meals for its clientele.

The fundamental mantra of COPE is to empower the community’s residents, to create a welcome and supportive living environment for its people, and to work in association with the other community services in order to achieve its aims. For this reason, the public are being asked to participate in our online survey. To access the survey click on our websitewww.copegalway.ie Alternatively, the survey can be posted to you by contact 091 778 750, or email hr@copegalway.ie.