The Galway Centre for Independent Living

14/10/2026

Galway Centre for Independent Living provides PA and Home Help services tailored to your needs.
📞 (091) 773910
📧 [email protected]
🌐 or www.gcil.ie for our full suite of services

14/10/2026

We are proud to offer a flexible learning environment to students on our LLM in International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy including in person and remote options to attend our university and gain new qualifications.

The programme facilitates remote attendance for all students. While all seminars take place in person, we record and live stream them, for the benefit of students who cannot attend them in person for any reason.

Find out more about the programme on our website below or contact the Programme Director Dr János Fiala-Butora at [email protected] or Professor Eilionóir Flynn, Director of the Centre for Disability Law and Policy, at [email protected] to arrange a 1:1 meeting.

LLM Programme website: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/law-intl-comparative-disability-policy.html

14/10/2026

14/10/2026

“Calling Samaritans allowed me to voice my feelings and be heard. The anonymity is a great thing. The volunteer didn’t know who I was and I didn’t know who they were, so I felt comfortable sharing what was on my mind. The volunteers are all very well trained. They had a huge level of empathy, and they acknowledged that it was very hard for me.

"Voicing my feelings allowed me to begin dealing with my problems. Samaritans don’t offer a solution. They allow you to explore what you’re feeling, and consider other perspectives, which can help you see things in a more positive light.

"When I called Samaritans, I was living in the past, dealing with difficult emotions, and wasn’t able to see any way forward. Calling Samaritans helped because they asked questions that allowed me to find the answers myself and come to a place of acceptance. They helped me to move forward.

I still experience loneliness but I have come to an understanding that is a part of life, for everyone, at every stage. The things that I enjoy in my life now were all there when I called Samaritans, but I just couldn’t see them. These days, I’m allowing life to happen again. I’m living in the present and enjoying my life, and I feel very positive about the future.”

– Cathal, Tipperary, sharing his story ahead of Lived Experience Awareness Day.

14/10/2026

Your Views on Public First Aid for Cardiac Arrest in Ireland - Support & Aftercare for First Responders.

Croí Heart & Stroke Charity and National Ambulance Service (NAS) invite you to participate in the Heartsafe survey.

Scan the QR Code or visit https://stanglobal.limesurvey.net/115861?lang=en and take just 15 minutes to make a difference.

Please share this public and anonymous survey with your general community and healthcare networks as well as community first responder networks.

By learning from practical experiences in Ireland, the aim is to design a future first responder aftercare framework that best meets the needs of communities in Ireland.



Healthy Ireland Galway City Council Galway County Council Galway City Partnership Volunteer Galway Galway Rural Development Galway Sports Partnership Galway County Council FORUM Connemara CLG

14/10/2026

The biggest survey on volunteering and social engagement is coming to Ireland

14/10/2026

As we approach National Lived Experience Awareness Day we are celebrating the voices of callers who reached out to Samaritans when they needed support.

“I was always seen as the bubbly, outgoing one, always trying to put a smile on people’s faces. But that didn’t mean everything was always fine. Like many others, I went through times when I struggled.

And during those moments, Samaritans were there.

They were the voice at the end of the phone when I felt like I had no one else. Sometimes I called in tears, and other times I just needed someone to listen. I never felt judged – only supported.

Those calls helped me through the darkest moments.

Today, I’m in a much better place, I recently started my own talent agency and I’m sharing my story because I know how much it can help others to hear that it gets better. Samaritans were a lifeline for me once. Please call them if you’re struggling.” – Nathan, Athlone

14/10/2026

Our Men’s Group meets next on Tuesday, 20th October, 1pm–2pm. Facilitated by family carer Mark, it’s a friendly space for male carers to connect and share. The group meets every second Tuesday, and all men are welcome. To join or find out more, please email Norah at [email protected]