Volunteer
About Claddagh Watch Patrol
Claddagh Watch Patrol is a charity that was set up in 2019 to make Galway’s waterways safer. We are a voluntary team whose mission is to provide a presence along our rivers and canals to help reduce water-based fatalities. We carry out regular patrols each month – and have an increased presence during peak seasons – to help encourage people away from the dangers of water. We do our utmost to help those who are distressed, disoriented, or suicidal by talking to them. Although we never enter the water, we do have a range of equipment to help those who have gotten into difficulty in the water.
What’s Involved
The role of the Claddagh Watch Patrol teams is to watch for anyone that appears distressed, disorientated, or suicidal near the River Corrib or canals in Galway city. By starting a conversation with that person and encouraging the person to move away from the danger of the water. Should further assistance be needed, a supervisor decides whether further support is needed from the emergency services. If so, the patrol team keeps the casualty safe until they arrive.
The day after a first patrol, the new volunteer will be given the chance to air concerns or questions. The same applies to all volunteers if there has been any kind of incident. The mental health of the volunteers is really important to Claddagh Watch Patrol, so an opportunity to meet up and discuss any incident is offered to all team members – and, if required, professional counselling can be arranged.
The patrols start with a short briefing on safety and an update on any event or issue that may affect the patrols that night, such as concerts, festivals, and exams ending where there might be more people than usual in the city. The team is then divided into smaller teams of two or three people and given zones to patrol. Each team carries radios to make contacting other team members easier.
The supervisor checks in with the teams regularly and revolves the teams to different zones every hour or so. The supervisor remains close to Wolfe Tone Bridge so that they are in the central area of the patrol zones and can therefore reach any incident as quick as possible. All teams get a 20-minute break for refreshments/comfort break and go to Jury’s Inn at Spanish Arch for this. Each patrol ends with a debrief of the night.
What’s Required For This Position
– Good observation and awareness skills.
– Empathy, ability to work as part of a coordinated team.
– Able to stay calm in a crisis.
– Commitment and punctuality.
– Desirable, though not essential skills include SafeTALK, Asist or other mental health training and any form of CPR, and First Responder knowledge.
– Training opportunities will be upcoming.
What Else?
Location of volunteering opportunity:
45, Lower Dominick Street, Galway H91 E1NY
Other location details:
OBrien’s Bridge, Wolf Tone Bridge, Claddagh Basin, Docks area, The Long Walk, Claddagh Quay.
Screening details for this role:
- Garda Vetting
- Informal Interviews
- Application Form
- Identification Check (photo ID etc…)
Volunteers will be provided with the following support:
- Support / Advice / Recognition
- Supervision
- Insurance cover
- Ongoing training opportunities
Age restrictions:
Over 18
Is this opportunity suitable for groups/teams of volunteers?
Yes
What Our Volunteers Say…
Betty Hernon
“I started to patrol with Claddagh Watch because of young adults whom I knew dying by suicide as a result of drowning after entering the waters we now patrol. I continue to do it, because we make a difference and have prevented further deaths by being in the right place at the right time.“
Sarah Heffernon
“Patrolling with Claddagh Watch gives me the opportunity to connect with a wonderful community and be a part of something bigger than myself and my own wee world. On patrol, you realise the significant impact you can have with one conversation, or even just one word or sentence accompanied by a friendly face. It’s also a huge honour to join a group of enthusiastic, caring and thoughtful people who are so focused on protecting and supporting their community.“
Lee Gormley
“I joined Claddagh Watch Patrol early in 2021 to try and help support the impactful work that the charity does and to give back in a small way to the community. To know that with each patrol you are part of a great team making a real difference in helping to keep Galway’s waterways safe is a wonderful feeling.“
Jamie Forde
“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“
Ramesh KP
“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.“