About Us
WHO WE ARE
Claddagh Watch Patrol is a registered charity that was founded in 2019, following four tragic water-related deaths in Galway within the space of a single week. Our mission is to create a safer environment around Galway city’s waterways through volunteer patrols and raising awareness. Our team is dedicated to their work, and they are committed to improving the level of water safety across the city.
WHAT WE DO
We are a team of volunteers who are dedicated to ensuring that Galway’s waterways are safe. The River Corrib is one of the fastest rivers in Europe, which means it can be very dangerous, too. This river is the spot for many fatalities each year. So many of these are avoidable, and our mission is to do our bit to monitor the waterways on a regular basis.
We carry out approximately 8-10 patrols each month – with an additional 6 patrols during peak times like festivals and end-of-semester exams. Our aim is to provide a presence along the canals, bridges, and more so that people who are distressed, disoriented, or suicidal can receive some support from us. We typically start any interactions with a conversation by asking the person how they are doing while also encouraging them to step away from the danger of the water.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
There are currently 65 volunteers working with us at Claddagh Watch Patrol and we are always looking for more. Our team are fantastic, and they are the beating heart of our organisation. We’re proud that so many volunteers choose to give up their time to work alongside us and help drive our mission.
We ask volunteers to patrol a minimum of one patrol each calendar month, though many volunteers typically patrol more than that, and some do so every weekend. Currently, the waterways are patrolled Fridays and Saturdays, with extra patrols during festivals and events. Usually, there are nine team members plus a supervisor, on patrol. Patrols start between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm, and they end when the streets are clear, usually between 3:00 am and 4:30 am.
What Our Volunteers Say
“I have been a volunteer with Claddagh Watch Patrol since January 2020. I am here to give a sense of hope and belief and to make a real positive impact on other people’s lives in their difficult times. In turn, it helps me stay connected with people in the community and make new friends. It also improves my mental well-being and awareness.“
– Ramesh KP
What Our Volunteers Say
“For me being a volunteer makes you see how important the small things that go unnoticed by most are. Be it gently reminding someone that does not realise how close they are to falling into the water to be careful or seeing the reassurance we bring on the faces of people who may be walking alone at night. What seems like a mere presence can make a huge difference“
– Jamie Forde
65+
Volunteers
8+
Patrols Per Month
7+
Hours Per Patrol
7+
Partners
TRAINING
At Claddagh Watch Patrol, we are committed to creating a fantastic training experience for everyone who joins our voluntary team. A supervisor begins by instructing the new volunteer on radio usage, kit, and equipment. Plus, the new team member will be guided through patrol zones, explaining protocols, procedures, and scenarios, before being buddied up with an experienced team member.
Plus, we offer an array of additional training that will help them during their patrols such as mental health training (safeTALK, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Mental Health First Aid) and First Aid, First Responder, and Cardiac First Responder training.
Online training is also necessary for all volunteers to complete. The Ohana.ie mental health training is a 20-minute session giving you the skills to identify someone that’s suicidal, employ the correct language, and direct them to appropriate help. The more in-depth HSE Living Works Start training is two hours and is also free. To access this, the volunteers need to contact me, and they’ll receive a printable cert on completion.
The Mental Health First Aid two-day online training is run by the HSE, and Claddagh Watch Patrol are gifted a number of spaces on this each year. Like physical first aid, it teaches people to listen, reassure, and respond, even in a crisis. Candidates must be available for both days and a cert will be posted out on completion.
FUNDRAISING
Do you want to help us fundraise? If you join our volunteer team, you’ll be able to help us raise money, sell merchandise, and more. Having great people on our side who want to jump in for a few hours a week can make such a big difference to our outcomes.
If you’re a company or organisation that wants to help us raise funds, we would be delighted to have you join our mission. A large number of events have raised vital money for Claddagh Watch Patrol since we were set up – helping to ensure we can continue to do the work we do. To read more about some of the fundraisers and past activities we’ve done, check out this page.
