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With Help Comes Hope

About us

No one should face the river alone.

Re-A-Suir began with a simple conviction, and grew into a dedicated team of local volunteers. This is our story.

Our story

It started with a gap that needed filling.

Re-A-Suir was founded in 2023 by Vivienne Burns. Having finished other volunteer work, she saw that there was nothing face to face out on the bridges and quays after hours, when people can be at their most alone.

So she started walking, with a small number of volunteers. A friendly presence on a Friday night grew into a committed team, a registered charity, and a way of looking out for the city that now feels like second nature.

Branded Re-A-Suir hi-vis vests drying on a washing line, reading With Help Comes Hope
The little details behind the work.

Our mission

Safeguarding lives along the River Suir.

We are a volunteer-led suicide intervention and prevention team, committed to supporting anyone in distress along the river in Waterford City. We believe every life matters, and that timely, empathetic intervention can make a profound difference.

Three volunteers in hi-vis vests at the bridge railing, watching the River Suir at sunset
Keeping watch over the Suir as the sun goes down.

A compassionate presence

A visible, reassuring presence during vulnerable hours for anyone who may be struggling.

Intervention in crisis

We engage with people in crisis, listening without judgement and helping them reach professional and emergency support.

Working together

We work with emergency services, mental health organisations and community groups for a coordinated response.

Raising awareness

We raise awareness of suicide prevention, mental health, and the importance of community care and vigilance.

What we stand for

Our values

Hope

We believe things can get better, and every interaction carries that. With help comes hope.

Compassion

We meet people with kindness and without judgement, whoever they are.

Confidentiality

We protect the privacy and dignity of everyone we help.

Safety first

The wellbeing of those we support and our volunteers comes before all else.

Community

Local people looking out for local people, hand in hand with our partners.

Dedication

We show up, week after week, ready to help.

Draft values, shared for the committee to approve and refine.

Our journey

From a single patrol to a recognised charity.

Six smiling Re-A-Suir volunteers in hi-vis vests and lifejackets taking a selfie on the bridge, with the quays behind them
Some of today's crew, out on the bridge.
2023

The first patrols

Vivienne Burns starts a regular Friday-night presence on the bridges and quays.

2025

Charitable status

Re-A-Suir becomes a registered charity, RCN 20206859.

2025

Recognised for safety

A South East safety award through the PPN, and a national award finalist in Dublin.

Today

A growing crew

Around 30 volunteers and a committee, with 160+ interventions behind us.

Six Re-A-Suir volunteers in hi-vis vests standing side by side on the Waterford Greenway under a pink and orange sunset

Side by side, every Friday night.

The people behind it

Meet the team.

Re-A-Suir is deliberately a faceless organisation, our volunteers are never named, so the focus stays on the work, not on who is doing it. But two of us are happy to put our names to it.

Re-A-Suir Chair, Chris

Chris

Chair

Chris took over running Re-A-Suir in 2024. He came to the work through his own experience of mental health struggles, and is also a member of Waterford City River Rescue.

Re-A-Suir Committee, Jo-Ann

Jo-Ann

Committee

Jo-Ann has been with Re-A-Suir almost since the start, drawn to it after losing someone to suicide. She believes in the power of ordinary people simply being there to listen.

Watch our story

Hear it from Chris and Jo-Ann.

A short film from the two of us about Re-A-Suir, and a thank-you to everyone in Waterford who has supported the team. Tap play to watch.

Watch on Facebook

Recognition

Proud of where we have been.

Community awards

Recognised for safety in the South East, and a national award finalist in Dublin.

Met at the highest level

Welcomed by President Catherine Connolly and the Mayor of Waterford.

Backed by Waterford FC

Working with Waterford FC and partners across the city.

We are local people looking out for local people. That is the whole of it.
Re-A-Suir committee

Our committee

Re-A-Suir is led by Chris and Jo-Ann alongside a small, dedicated committee and our patrol volunteers. The line-up is reviewed at our August AGM, so any new roles will be confirmed after that.