Back in the days when I used to buy albums, there was always that first-play thrill of finding out just how many single-quality tracks were lying there between the grooves on the vinyl. I might have been aware of a headline track, but hidden beneath would be tracks that were wonderful, but which might never see the commercial light of day, and would go on to become life-long personal favourites.
Sometimes, when I look at Galway, I feel the same. There are headline tracks and then, slipped in between the grooves of the city are wonderful people and organisations without which life would not be as enriched. My mind goes to that this week when two notable local organisations have annual milestones.
I must confess that in the past there were times when I often confused COPE Galway and Galway Simon, because the entirety of their work centred around caring for sectors of our society who need a leg up, a shelter, a roof, a friendly face. A mind that will not judge them for the desolation of their circumstances.
I sit on the board of COPE now, so am unlikely to have that confusion these days, but I am aware of just how much this city should value these two organisations and cherish them. Both organisations are in the spotlight. COPE Galway releases its annual report this week which shows the excellence of the work they carry out for the vulnerable in Galway across a variety of categories; while Galway Simon hold their successful and awareness-heightening fundraiser that is the annual sleep out.
Both organisations come across people at a particularly difficult time in their lives; The traumatic events of the past decade have provided ample raw material for the bad things in life to happen to a lot of people. The pace of modern life, the detritus of the manner in which modern society operates, have ensured that sadly, there will always be a need for the likes of COPE Galway and Galway Simon. Both organisations are part and parcel of Galway life; much moved and respected; wonderfully managed and curated; frightfully aware of just what is needed to make the vulnerable in this city feel less so.
I write these words at a time when the chills of winter are appearing; temperatures dropping while the cost of living rises, leading to tensions and situations that will mean the need for both COPE Galway and Galway Simon to require your help more than ever.
While you might be reading this in the comfort of your home, for tens of thousands of people in the west, home is not a constant, but an everchanging flux. For those of you reading this and part of that flux,l you need to know that you have an ally to advocate for you and help you through. For people at both ends of the age spectrum, this is particularly traumatising. For those who endure crises in a life that is not turning out as they thought, they are there for you. People’s lives have been turned upside down - COPE Galway and Galway Simon take you by the hand and reassure you of hope.
Taking place from 6pm to 6am tomorrow, Friday, October 6, there are organised sleep outs and collections taking place across Galway. On Shop St, participants of the sleep out will begin the night fundraising with buckets, both up and down the street and in nearby pubs. Music will be supplied by the Galway Simon Choir from 10pm before the approximate 35 participants will bed down for the night. Similar sleep outs are taking place in Loughrea, Oranmore, Boston Scientific, University of Galway and a number of schools across Galway and Mayo.
Support this in any way you can this week, but for the rest of the year, retain an appreciation of these worthy organisations. A society is judged on how it helps its most vulnerable.Let’s not be found wanting.
