Galway Contact, one of Galway’s longest-serving voluntary organisations since its establishment in 1981, has announced the launch of its new website: galwaycontact.ie
The organisation expressed its gratitude to Outlier, a digital content company based in Galway, for designing and setting up the website at no cost.The new website makes Galway Contact’s services more accessible to a wide range of users:
- Potential clients and families can learn how to access the volunteer befriending service, obtain a personal alarm for an elderly loved one, or participate in social outings and activities.
- Healthcare professionals, including social workers, public health nurses, and therapy services, can easily access referral forms and applications for personal alarms online.
- Volunteers and prospective volunteers can download the application and Garda vetting forms, with opportunities available across the organisation to suit diverse skills and interests.
- Organisations and individuals wishing to support Galway Contact can now donate through the website. The latest news section highlights activities such as coffee mornings to engage and involve the community.
Galway Contact operates with one full-time and two part-time staff who coordinate activities, interview and support volunteers, transport clients, and manage operations on an annual budget of €54,000 from the HSE and approximately €7,000 from Pobal. The trustees, Board of Management, and supporters freely contribute their time and skills.
With these modest funds, Galway Contact supports 80 to 90 older people each week through weekly volunteer visits, social outings including lunch clubs and Friday morning clubs, and processes 400 to 500 applications annually for Pobal personal alarms, providing security and peace of mind to over-65s and their families.
The organisation encourages the people of Galway to visit galwaycontact.ie to familiarise themselves with the services available.
