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With Help Comes Hope
Five Re-A-Suir volunteers in hi-vis vests looking out over the River Suir from Waterford quay at dusk

With Help Comes Hope

Friendly face on the quays, every Friday night.

We patrol the bridges and river of Waterford City. A calm, watchful presence for anyone who needs a moment, a chat, or a helping hand.

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Suicide Intervention & Prevention Team, Waterford

Local people, looking out for local people.

Re-A-Suir is a volunteer-run charity founded on a simple idea: that no one should face a dark moment by the river alone. Every Friday night from 10pm to 2am, our volunteers walk the bridges and quays. A visible, friendly presence, ready to listen and to help.

During those same hours our drop-in centre at 28a Mary Street is open. Anyone can call in for a cup of tea, a quiet space and someone to talk to, no appointment needed.

We work hand in hand with the Coast Guard and Waterford City River Rescue, and we have been doing it, week in and week out, for four years.

The Re-A-Suir team in branded navy jackets at a daytime event on the Waterford quay

The crew out and about in Waterford City.

Our impact

Four years of showing up.

160+interventions in four years

30active volunteers

2patrol teams out every Friday night

What we do

Three steps, every Friday night.

We patrol

From 10pm to 2am we walk the bridges and quays in hi-vis. A calm, recognisable presence on the river.

We listen

A friendly face and a chat for anyone who needs one. No judgement, in complete confidence.

We escalate

When someone is in the water we alert the Coast Guard, and Waterford City River Rescue are tasked to the water entry.

On the quays

Out there, every Friday.

See more photos
A volunteer watching Waterford City River Rescue on the water at nightA patrol team selfie on the quay at duskThree volunteers walking the Mall at duskVolunteers walking a city street at nightA volunteer scanning the river with binoculars at nightThe team gathered on the Greenway at sunsetA volunteer in a lifejacket on the Greenway at sunsetVolunteers keeping watch with binoculars on the bridgeA patrol team selfie on the bridgeA briefing on the quay with the youth committeeYouth committee members on the quayThe night briefing by the Waterford whisky wallJo-Ann briefing the team at the baseVolunteers gathered by the chain sculpture at nightRe-A-Suir vests drying on the lineFour volunteers in Re-A-Suir vests at nightPresenting a signed jersey with Waterford FCFour team members beside a Re-A-Suir bannerTeam members at a community eventAt the Waterford PPN Community Safety AwardsMeeting the Mayor at City HallThe Re-A-Suir stall on the quayAn in-store fundraiser

In their words

Why it matters.

A volunteer
Some nights it is just a chat and a laugh on the bridge. Other nights it is everything. Either way, I am glad we were there.
Re-A-Suir volunteer
Someone we met
I had not planned on talking to anyone that night. They stopped, they listened, and they stayed with me. I am still here, and I am grateful.
In their own words
Waterford City lit up at dusk along the River Suir, with the quays reflected in the water

This is our city

Waterford, on the River Suir.

The oldest city in Ireland, and the stretch of water we watch over every Friday night. This is the place, and these are the people, we show up for.

Ways to help

However you can, it matters.

Donate

Your gift buys gear, training and keeps volunteers safe out on the river.

Volunteer

Join the patrols, or lend a hand with committee and admin work.

Sponsor

Back local safety and wellbeing as a corporate partner.