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Our Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM)

63rd Annual General Meeting

Sunday 29 May 2022

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on Thursday 26th May in Heatherlee Dining Room.

Chairperson of the Board of Directors Gearóid Gilley led the meeting. He noted how refreshing it was to meet in person, and also facilitate members who preferred to meet virtually. He continued to say 2021 was a year which brought the best out of everyone as Cope Foundation endeavored to maintain services in a safe and caring manner.

Naturally, the Covid-19 situation that shaped 2021 framed many of the topics discussed. It was recognised how well Cope Foundation responded to the Covid-19 crisis and that this was only possible due to the resilience, innovation and commitment of staff.

Gearóid said: “Our values were truly put to the test and I wish to acknowledge the incredible effort made by our Cope Foundation teams throughout the organisation who demonstrated everyday throughout the crisis honesty, kindness and creativity so that we put the people we support first albeit through an adjusted delivery of our usual services.”

At the AGM, one of the main highlights discussed from 2021 was the successful development of the Community Hubs across the city and county. The aim of the Hubs is to build confidence, develop skills and to get the person we support to where they want to be, whether that’s working in the community or attending a college course. Two new Hubs opened in Ballyvolane and Nore House, bringing the total to 10 Community Hubs across Cork.  

Other highlights included:

·The continued programme of de-congregation for people we support to a new home and life as part of a vibrant community where diversity is embraced and everyone is equal.

·The Ability@Work programme offered practical support to people preparing for and accessing employment opportunities with companies throughout Cork City and County.

·Assistive technology played an important role in the organisation’s quest for the people we support to stay connected.

Amy Begley, who is supported by Cope Foundation spoke about her stand out moments from 2021. Amy said: I am a person with a disability, but Cope Foundation saw me for me and who I truly am. I have been supported by Cope Foundation nearly all my life.”

 

She continued to say: “My most significant achievement was designing award certificates for EASPD. Suisha Arts won the international award for Arts and Culture in supporting people with disabilities in the Arts. I not only designed the award but went on to win the award. I am an Advocate for people with disabilities with the Suisha Arts, Art’s for All and Ability Board. It is an honour to be part of these organisations that I hold close to my heart.”

 

Plans for the future of the organisation were also discussed, Gearóid said; “Our new strategic plan to 2025 is ambitious, we recognise the need to transform and innovate further the way we do certain things and in turn identify and grasp new future opportunities for the people we support.”

 

The 2021 Annual Report and Financial Statement were approved by the Members and are now available to view on our website: https://www.cope-foundation.ie/About-Us/Annual-Reports

The 2021 Annual Report will be distributed to all centres/locations shortly.


 



On Saturday 30th April, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin officially opened a new sensory in Cope Foundation. The project is a collaboration between Cope Foundation and Trigon Hotels. 

Volunteers from both organisations have transformed a patch of unused ground next to Beech Hill Garden Centre, Montenotte, into an inviting space filled with different textures, scents and sounds. The colourful and calming environment is wheelchair accessible and has raised beds filled with plants to stimulate the senses. There is colourful and interesting foliage planted throughout, a water feature, wall feature and artwork. 

Cope Foundation and Ability@Work is the hotel group’s charity partner for 2021 and 2022. Last year, team members from Trigon Hotels raised €11,000 for the organisation. Half of these funds will be used to fund the sensory garden. The idea for the project stems from their shared interest in growing food and gardening.  

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:

“It is wonderful to see these organisations working together to make a real difference. The sensory garden is a great initiative, and an oasis of calm I know will be used by many of the people supported by Cope Foundation. The garden forms just one element of Trigon Hotels’ partnership with Cope Foundation and Ability@Work. They also provide employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and autism which is so important.”

Kathleen Linehan is the Strategic Director of HR Trigon Hotels, she says it has been a wonderful project to be involved with:

“It is amazing to see the months of hard work on the sensory garden come to fruition. We’ve had great fun along the way too and have seen fantastic bonds and new friendships develop. I believe that every single person involved has learnt new skills and has benefited from the project. Being able to take part in such rewarding physical activity in the fresh air is an added bonus.”

Horticulture is a popular subject at Cope Foundation’s Bonnington Training Centre and 36 students from the centre have been involved in the planning and development of the garden. 

A poly tunnel and two large vegetable beds form part of the garden. Potatoes, broad beans, peas, onions, cabbage and broccoli are among the veg currently being grown. Students are also growing salad leaves and seasonal organic produce for Trigon Hotels. 

Cope Foundation Chief Executive, Sean Abbott says:

“The sensory garden is a fantastic addition to our organisation. I believe that by working together great things can be achieved and that’s what has happened here. The team from Trigon spotted a patch of unused ground during a walkabout of our facility and remarked that it looked perfect for a sensory garden. Volunteers from Trigon, people we support and our staff have worked tirelessly over the past few months to make that idea a reality. Not only is it a new learning environment for our students but it is a safe space where the people we support, staff and members of the public can be part of nature and away from noise and traffic.”

The sensory garden overlooks Cork city and includes artwork by street artist Kevin O’Brien. Kevin designed and painted the Hands of Hope mural on Harley Street which is an initiative by Trigon Hotels, Cope Foundation and Ability@Work. The paint for the garden was kindly sponsored by Pat McDonnell Paints. A beautiful garden feature was donated by Catt and Paddy McCarthy. Lidl also supported the project. 

Thank you to everyone involved for your kindness, generosity, support and time to get the sensory garden to where it is today.

On Saturday 30th April, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin officially opened a new sensory in Cope Foundation. The project is a collaboration between Cope Foundation and Trigon Hotels. 

Volunteers from both organisations have transformed a patch of unused ground next to Beech Hill Garden Centre, Montenotte, into an inviting space filled with different textures, scents and sounds. The colourful and calming environment is wheelchair accessible and has raised beds filled with plants to stimulate the senses. There is colourful and interesting foliage planted throughout, a water feature, wall feature and artwork. 

Cope Foundation and Ability@Work is the hotel group’s charity partner for 2021 and 2022. Last year, team members from Trigon Hotels raised €11,000 for the organisation. Half of these funds will be used to fund the sensory garden. The idea for the project stems from their shared interest in growing food and gardening.  

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:

“It is wonderful to see these organisations working together to make a real difference. The sensory garden is a great initiative, and an oasis of calm I know will be used by many of the people supported by Cope Foundation. The garden forms just one element of Trigon Hotels’ partnership with Cope Foundation and Ability@Work. They also provide employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and autism which is so important.”

Kathleen Linehan is the Strategic Director of HR Trigon Hotels, she says it has been a wonderful project to be involved with:

“It is amazing to see the months of hard work on the sensory garden come to fruition. We’ve had great fun along the way too and have seen fantastic bonds and new friendships develop. I believe that every single person involved has learnt new skills and has benefited from the project. Being able to take part in such rewarding physical activity in the fresh air is an added bonus.”

Horticulture is a popular subject at Cope Foundation’s Bonnington Training Centre and 36 students from the centre have been involved in the planning and development of the garden. 

A poly tunnel and two large vegetable beds form part of the garden. Potatoes, broad beans, peas, onions, cabbage and broccoli are among the veg currently being grown. Students are also growing salad leaves and seasonal organic produce for Trigon Hotels. 

Cope Foundation Chief Executive, Sean Abbott says:

“The sensory garden is a fantastic addition to our organisation. I believe that by working together great things can be achieved and that’s what has happened here. The team from Trigon spotted a patch of unused ground during a walkabout of our facility and remarked that it looked perfect for a sensory garden. Volunteers from Trigon, people we support and our staff have worked tirelessly over the past few months to make that idea a reality. Not only is it a new learning environment for our students but it is a safe space where the people we support, staff and members of the public can be part of nature and away from noise and traffic.”

The sensory garden overlooks Cork city and includes artwork by street artist Kevin O’Brien. Kevin designed and painted the Hands of Hope mural on Harley Street which is an initiative by Trigon Hotels, Cope Foundation and Ability@Work. The paint for the garden was kindly sponsored by Pat McDonnell Paints. A beautiful garden feature was donated by Catt and Paddy McCarthy. Lidl also supported the project. 

Thank you to everyone involved for your kindness, generosity, support and time to get the sensory garden to where it is today.