Our 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on Thursday 18th May in Heatherlee Dining Room.
Chairperson of the Board of Directors Gearóid Gilley led the meeting.
Gearóid noted: “Our key objective in 2022 was to ensure that our new normal following the Covid-19 pandemic, offered a positive and safe experience for the people we support. We appreciate and express our sincere thanks to all our colleagues and partners as we together identified and re-modeled new ways of maintaining our services in a safe and caring manner.”
At the AGM, one of the main highlights discussed from 2022 was the focus towards positive change and innovation across the organisation.
Other highlights included:
- Cope Foundation’s Home Sharing Campaign, which is part of the menu of person-centred services Cope Foundation are committed to delivering.
- The success of our recruitment campaigns across the city and county.
- The upgrade and development of several locations.
The meeting was told how Cope Foundation’s Strategic Plan is progressing well and sets out an ambition that reflects how services must develop and transform to meet future needs. Progress is also being made in supporting people to move on from congregated settings to their own homes in the community with all the necessary supports. The organisation is in the process of fully completing the decongregation of Ashville in Montenotte and St Vincent’s Centre.
Cope Foundation’s Doras and Bonnington Training Centre’s highlighted their involvement and participation with the Gaisce President’s Award. Anne-Marie, who is supported by Cope Foundation reflected and highlighted her Gaisce journey.
Anne-Marie said: “When I came to Doras in 2017, I got my Bronze medal in first year and my Silver medal in second Year. I am now working towards my Gold Medal."
First year student David, and third year student (also) David, spoke about Cope Foundation’s Bonnington Training Centre, which has two locations. One building is based in Bonnington Montenotte, the other is located in Nore House in Bessboro Road, Blackrock. Both David’s spoke about their activities in the Training Centre.
They said: “We have classes in Art, Independent Living, P.E., Personal Development, Computers, Horticulture, Science, Employment Development, Literacy and Numeracy. We all work hard in class to get our folders ready for our QQI qualifications in all of these subjects. We go on nature walks on our Gaisce trips. In Horticulture and Science we have outdoor classes and field study trips. We have been to the Atlantic Pond and Woodlands.”
The 2022 Annual Report will be distributed to centres/locations shortly.
Pictured L-R: Gearóid Gilley, Chairperson of Board of Directors, Anne Marie, David (1st year student) and David (3rd year student).
Pictured L-R: Sean Abbott, Chief Executive Officer Cope Foundation and Gearóid Gilley, Chairperson of Board of Directors.