Some 50 business leaders have signed up to take part in this year's COPE Galway Sleep Out, now in its 10th year.
All participants are running their own fundraising campaigns, seeking support to raise funds for COPE Galway’s homeless services.
After a difficult year for many, Tom Walsh, who has taken part in the event for the last three years, says he is eager to support this 10-year milestone event - "especially when this has been another tough year for a lot of people and there are always others less fortunate than you or me," he says/
Sinéad Carey, who heads up COPE Galway’s homeless services, is also taking part in this year's Sleep Out.
She sees first-hand the daily challenges that homelessness presents, and says it isn’t limited to people sleeping on the street, in bus shelters, doorways and parks.
"Here in Galway, where a lack of affordable housing has pushed people into substandard accommodation, we regularly meet people who are living in cars and garages or surviving by couch surfing and living in extremely overcrowded conditions.”
COPE Galway supports people to move on from homelessness, secures accommodation, sets up their homes to sustain independent living, while also providing skills development and befriending initiatives.
Peer to peer groups
As well as upgrading emergency accommodation environments, Carey would like some of the funds raised to be used for initiatives, including setting up peer to peer groups.
“These would equip people experiencing poor mental health to develop skills and knowledge and to have greater confidence around how to access the services they need,” she says,.
COPE Galway says the funds raised through the Business Sleep Out have allowed the expansion of services and initiatives, such as community-based housing, outreach support for people sleeping rough, and the swift adaptations to ensure continuity of service during the challenges of the pandemic.
In welcoming this year’s participants, COPE Galway’s head of development Sharon Fitzpatrick says past participants regularly recount what an eye-opening experience it is to sleep out on Shop Street on a winter’s night, giving a tiny glimpse into the realities of homelessness.
"This event is a coming together of people who want to make a difference, while raising awareness and critical funds, which have helped us respond to the growing needs of the community through the years. We’re so grateful to everyone who has taken part and all who have supported the participants over the past 10 years.”
COPE Galway works with individuals and families from Galway city and county to provide homeless supports and accommodation. Services cover the spectrum from prevention, emergency accommodation and transitional accommodation through to resettlement and tenancy support. In 2020, COPE Galway’s homeless service supported 1,157 people, including 138 families with 350 children.
Visit www.copegalwaysleepout.ie to sponsor a participant or donate to the cause.
