'Not a celebration' - Helping Hand Waterford marks 10 years
The event marked 10 years of Helping Hand.
It was not a celebration.
That was the message shared by the people who work day in and out to serve the most vulnerable across the city and county.
On Friday night, November 28, volunteers, supporters and community members came out to Mary Street to mark 10 years of Helping Hand Waterford.
Committee member Stephanie Keating said at the gathering: “We’re very conscious that we are not celebrating. I don’t think we can celebrate anything to do with homelessness.” Stephanie stated that the day was to mark the work and contributions of all the ‘fantastic volunteers.’
Volunteers include students from St Paul’s Community College and Ardscoil na Mara, as well as local corporate sponsors and community groups.
As the speeches flowed, members of Déise Bikers MMC came into the premises carrying sacks of top-of-the-range toys for the children of service users.
Stephanie went on: “We’re very proud of the fact that we don’t have any paid members of staff and we’re also very proud that after a long battle, we managed to get our charitable status.” While gaining charitable status is an achievement, the cost-of-living crisis and worsening housing crisis means more people coming forward for help.
Helping Hand do outreach across the whole of Waterford, providing people with food, clothing and sleeping bags.
Chairperson Vivienne Burns thanked Collette Burns, Eamon Morrissey, Mary Dundon and Dick Roche, all of whom had been there 'from the start'. She said: “We have spent a decade showing that meaningful change does not require wealth or power. It requires heart and commitment, something every volunteer and helping hand has in abundance."
Vivienne went on to thank Joan and Roger Johnson of Waterford's Quaker Community, David Breen of the Rotary Club and Brian Foley, who ran a marathon over The Alps to raise money for the charity.
Local Councillors Donal Barry and Eamon Quinlan were thanked for their work and support over the years.
Service user Alice gave a heart-warming poem about Helping Hand and spoke about how many people come to use the services. She said: "The people who come in here every night are up to 50 people. That's 50 people that are sons and daughters of a family."
Deputy Mayor Jason Murphy shared a few words: “In March 2023 Helping Hand became the only registered charity in Waterford dedicated solely to providing essential frontline support to people experiencing homelessness and indeed vulnerability.
“Each evening, between 35 and 50 hot meals are provided. Tents and sleeping bags are given to those who are sleeping rough. Some individuals are supported into emergency accommodation during periods of real danger. Families in deep difficulty have their electricity topped up.
“Organisations such as food cloud and ESS provide vital supply throughout the year and every single volunteer, from the newest member to those who have given years of service, are part of a network of care that stretches across this great city. Tonight is an opportunity to say thank you to you all.”
