In every community, there are spaces that quietly become the heart of local life. For older people in Galway city, one such place is COPE Galway’s The Bungalow in Mervue, a warm, welcoming hub where laughter, friendship, and support go hand in hand.
More than just four walls, The Bungalow offers a sense of belonging. Over lunches, coffee mornings, and activity sessions, stories are swapped, friendships rekindled, and loneliness eased. For those adjusting to retirement or living alone, it provides routine, purpose, and joy.
A community hub
COPE Galway has long worked with some of the city’s most vulnerable groups, including older people facing the quiet struggles of isolation. Alongside its Sonas Day Centre across the road, The Bungalow provides daily activities designed to encourage healthy ageing and connection.
“There is so much laughter here,” said Sandra Sanchez-Viramalay, activities coordinator at The Bungalow. “Most of the people who come are retired, so it gives them a place to socialise while also doing activities. It is a place alive with happiness.”
A certified CORU occupational therapist who previously worked in nursing homes in her native Spain, Sandra brings expertise and creativity to her role. Weekly offerings include pole walking, chair yoga, and Siel Bleu exercise classes, alongside a popular Friday Zumba session. Activities are adapted so everyone can take part, whether standing, seated, or in a wheelchair.
“When people retire, they suddenly have so much time on their hands,” Sandra explained. “The activities here provide opportunities to engage with others, while giving structure and routine. My favourite day is Friday with Zumba, you can hear the participants laughing and having fun. In that moment each week, they can forget everything else and just enjoy themselves.”
Finding purpose after retirement
For regulars like Patricia Lawless, the Bungalow has been life-changing.
“When you retire first, it is kind of empty,” she reflected. “All your children are grown up, and you feel almost like you’re not worth anything. Everything seems to have an age limit on it. After COVID, a lot of people were afraid to come out and meet up.”
She first learned about The Bungalow in a church newsletter, but admits walking through the door was daunting. “I found it very hard the first time. I thought, ‘I’m not going to know anyone.’ But everyone is very nice. And you don’t have to be here every week; it’s very flexible. It’s also affordable, just €5 for a class.”
Bernadette Higgins had a similar experience. She discovered the centre through a chance chat at her local swimming pool.
“I said I’d love to do chair yoga, and this woman told me, ‘Oh, they do it up there.’ So I walked in, and oh my God, such a welcome. I’m actually very quiet, so I might not have come back otherwise. But after that, I was hooked.”
For Bernadette, reconnecting with familiar faces from her childhood in Mervue has been an added joy. “I was delighted to get back and meet people I grew up with. It’s like finding your tribe.”
Both women are quick to encourage others who may feel hesitant. “Just take a chance and try it,” Patricia said. Bernadette agreed: “By coming here, it’s almost like building your own community.”
Powered by volunteers
The success of The Bungalow relies heavily on volunteers – many of them older people themselves. From serving lunches to driving the buses that bring people to the centre, their work makes it possible for dozens of older people to access the service each week.
Louise McLaughlin-Borlace, head of COPE Galway’s Senior Support Services, said The Bungalow is just one part of a much broader effort to support older people across Galway.
“There’s a mix of staff and volunteers here, including bus drivers who pick up those who couldn’t otherwise come. Volunteers help with everything from serving meals to clearing tables. Up to 25 people can attend the lunch club, where they get a full meal, dessert, tea and coffee, and then bingo after, which is always a laugh.”
For many, these lunches are not just about the nutrition but the shared experience. “Some people may not cook for themselves at home or eat alone in front of the TV,” Louise said. “Here, they get a nutritious meal and companionship. We couldn’t do it without volunteers.”
The meals are provided by COPE Galway’s social enterprise, Meals4Health, which also produces and delivers nutritious meals to older people and those with chronic illnesses, helping them to “Eat Well, Live Well, and Age Well” in their own homes. Last year, 724 people availed of some 98,000 meals.
Positive Ageing Heroes
COPE Galway also plays a central role in Positive Ageing Week, a national campaign celebrating the contributions of older people. Part of this is the Positive Ageing Local Heroes initiative, now in its sixth year, which highlights individuals across Galway city and county who embody active, engaged ageing.
“These are people who quietly go about making a difference in their communities,” explained Louise. “They volunteer, run sports clubs, support neighbours, they’re little beacons of positivity. Some are in their 90s. The whole purpose is to challenge ageism and show that older people still play such vital roles.”
This year’s nominees include community volunteers, carers, and even members of the Ukrainian community in Galway who have set up supports for others. “It’s about showing the variety of ways older people contribute,” Louise added.
Celebrating together
With over 250 volunteers supporting COPE Galway’s senior services, the organisation’s impact is felt year-round. Seasonal events, such as the annual Christmas party, are another highlight. Last year, more than 200 people came together at the Connacht Hotel for a festive meal, raffle, and even a visit from Santa.
“These parties mean a lot,” said Sandra. “For some, it might be the only festive celebration they have. It makes them feel part of Christmas.”
A place of belonging
At its heart, The Bungalow is more than just a centre; it is a place of connection, comfort, and purpose. For Bernadette, Patricia, and countless others, it represents the difference between feeling isolated and feeling part of a community.
As Bernadette puts it: “By coming here, you’re not just filling time, you are building friendships. It’s about finding where you belong.”
