Cope Foundation

What Cope Foundation does

Cope Foundation is a registered Irish charity (CHY 5288, Charity Registration No. 20007584) trading as Horizons, providing integrated disability services for people with intellectual disabilities across Cork city and county. Founded in 1958, the organisation operates from its head office at Blackpool Retail Park in Cork and supports approximately 3,500 individuals through 120 service locations with a workforce of 1,600 staff. Its service portfolio spans the full life course: Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNT) for early intervention, four training centres (Bonnington, Doras, An Tuath Nua, NASC) for post-school learning, residential and home-sharing living support, day centres and community hubs (including a newly opened hub in Clonakilty), Ability@Work employment support, allied healthcare services (dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, speech and audio), inclusive arts programming via Suisha Inclusive Arts, and physical activity programmes including Special Olympics participation. The organisation has no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is entirely people-intensive, supported by a standard website and social media presence.

The business model is fundamentally that of a Section 39-funded Irish disability services provider. The principal revenue stream is government funding through the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the delivery of disability services under public interest obligations, supplemented by charitable donations, fundraising campaigns, corporate partnerships (including Trigon Hotels), legacy gifts, and modest social enterprise income from Roots Coffee House operations at Beech Hill Garden Centre and the UCC campus. Services are provided at no direct cost to service users, with access via referral pathways through schools, Tusla, HIQA, and health professionals. Additional funding is secured through European Commission Erasmus+, Creative Ireland, and Léargas for the international inclusive arts programme.

Go-to-market is community-led rather than commercial: the organisation reaches beneficiaries and supporters through community hubs, day centres, residential homes, training centres, volunteer programmes, fundraising events, and digital channels including website, email newsletter, and social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn). In 2026, Suisha Inclusive Arts received a global Zero Project Award at the United Nations Office in Vienna, providing international visibility for the inclusive arts programme. The organisation's operating footprint is exclusively domestic (Cork city and county), with no claimed global service delivery beyond arts performances.

Name

Cope Foundation

Legal name

Cope Foundation

Website

https://horizonscork.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Cope Foundation, trading as Horizons, is an Irish registered charity providing disability services for approximately 3,500 people with intellectual disabilities across Cork city and county. Founded in 1958, it operates 120 service locations with 1,600 staff, delivering residential support, training, employment services, healthcare, and inclusive arts programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), College Readiness & Disability Services Transition Support (EDAKANAB), Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI)

Keywords

• Disability services
• Intellectual disability support
• Residential care services
• Vocational training programmes
• Community inclusion services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cork

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Services Funding: Government-funded disability services provided under public interest obligations. Services include early intervention, school-age services, adult services, residential, day services, and training programmes.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Voluntary donations from individuals, corporate supporters, and fundraising events. The organization runs Christmas fundraising campaigns and accepts major gifts, memorial donations, and legacies.
3. Social Enterprise (Roots Coffee House): Revenue from coffee house operations at Beech Hill Garden Centre and UCC campus, providing work experience opportunities for people supported.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cope Foundation (Horizons) provides integrated disability services for approximately 3,500 people with intellectual disabilities across Cork city and county, including residential living support, day and community services, four specialized training centres, employment support, allied healthcare, social work, inclusive arts, sports, and social enterprises. Services are funded primarily through government grants and charitable donations, and delivered through 120 locations by 1,600 staff.

Product overview

Cope Foundation (operating as Horizons Cork) is a disability services organization providing a comprehensive portfolio of integrated support services for people with intellectual disabilities across Cork city and county. The organization operates a multi-service model encompassing residential and living support (homes, day centres, community hubs, garden centres), learning and training programmes (four training centres: Bonnington, Doras, An Tuath Nua, NASC), employment support through Ability@Work, inclusive arts programming via Suisha Inclusive Arts, social enterprise through Roots Coffee House (two locations: Montenotte and UCC campus), healthcare services (dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, social work), children's disability services (CDNT), physical activity and sports programmes, and volunteer coordination. The organization supports approximately 3,500 people across 120 locations with 1,600 staff members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bonnington Training Centre (BTC): Training centre in Montenotte, Cork that supports young people to develop important life skills with classes in art, gardening, textiles, computers, music and drama.
• Doras Training and Employment Services
• An Tuath Nua
• NASC Training Centre
• Roots Coffee House
• Roots UCC

Products and services

• Living Support Residential and community-based living services including group homes, day centres, community hubs, garden centres, and home sharing options for people with intellectual disabilities in Cork.
• Bonnington Training Centre (BTC) 3-year training programme in Montenotte, Cork supporting young people with intellectual disabilities to develop life skills including art, gardening, textiles, computers, music, and drama.
• Doras Training and Employment Services 3-year post-school training service for people over 18 with intellectual disabilities, focused on developing work skills through job shadowing and work experience.
• An Tuath Nua Training Centre Training centre in Montenotte, Cork for people aged 18 to 21 with a diagnosis of autism and intellectual disability, offering social skills training, computer literacy, community integration, personal care programs, sensory development, and numeracy and literacy programmes.
• NASC Training Centre Post-school training centre for people with high support needs, providing training in computer skills, cookery, language and communication, independent living skills, maths, and arts and crafts.
• Ability@Work Employment Support Employment support services helping people with intellectual disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment.
• Suisha Inclusive Arts Inclusive arts programme featuring performances, presentations, and adult learning events. Awarded a global Zero Project Award for significant contribution and innovative solutions in inclusive arts. Performs at international venues including the UN Office in Vienna.
• Roots Coffee House Social enterprise coffee house in Beech Hill Garden Centre, Montenotte, providing people supported by Horizons with opportunities to develop practical work skills in a busy work environment. Open 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Saturday.
• Roots UCC Second Roots coffee house location opened in January 2020 at the new Student Hub on the main UCC campus. Serves Java Republic coffee and treats from Natural Foods Bakery. Open 10:00am to 3:30pm Monday to Thursday and until 3:00pm on Fridays.
• Day Centres and Community Hubs Day services providing community-based activities, social engagement, and support for adults with disabilities across various locations in Cork.
• Garden Centres Horticultural services providing vocational training and work experience in garden centre settings for people with intellectual disabilities.
• Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNT) Services providing support and coordination for children with disabilities and their families in the Cork region.
• Home Sharing Respite and residential support service matching people with intellectual disabilities with home sharing providers.
• Arts and Creative Arts Therapies Therapeutic arts services including visual arts, music, drama, and creative expression programmes for people with intellectual disabilities.
• Physical Activity and Sports Sports and fitness programmes including swimming, soccer, and other physical activities for people with intellectual disabilities.
• Social Work Services Social work support provided across all age groups from early intervention to school age to adult services. Social workers serve as first point of contact following diagnosis, supporting planning, coordination, and access to benefits.
• Healthcare Support Services Allied health services including Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, and Speech and Audio services for people supported by Horizons.
• Volunteer Programme Volunteer coordination offering opportunities in health and wellness, community and social engagement, arts and culture, life skills, advocacy and independence, and practical support across the Cork region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 38 athletes from Team Munster representing Horizons at Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games 2026
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Essl Foundation / Zero ProjectflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero Project, run by the Essl Foundation, recognizes innovative solutions for persons with disabilities worldwide. Horizons' Suisha Inclusive Arts received a Global Zero Project Award for inclusive arts work, with presentations and performances at the UN Office in Vienna.
• Creative IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts and cultural funding initiative supporting inclusive arts programs.
• Cork ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts organization supporting inclusive arts initiatives.
• Cork Theatre CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal theatre organization collaborating on arts performances.
• Cork ETBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCork Education and Training Board providing educational programs and art classes for people supported by Horizons.
• MTU CSM (Munster Technological University - Cork School of Music)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institution supporting music and arts education collaboration.
• UCC TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity theatre department supporting performing arts initiatives.
• Trigon HotelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting through fundraising efforts, employment and placement opportunities, and initiatives such as sensory garden projects. Kathleen Linehan, Strategic Director of Human Resources, is quoted supporting the partnership.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Western Care Association: Mayo-based Irish disability services charity delivering residential, day, respite, and training services to people with intellectual disabilities. Operates a multi-site regional service model analogous to Horizons' Cork footprint.
• St. Michael's House: Dublin-based voluntary organisation providing services to people with intellectual disabilities, including residential, day, training, and therapy supports. Comparable full-lifecycle service model and Irish Section 38/39 charity structure.
• Camphill Communities of Ireland: Irish provider of intentional community and day services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. Shares the person-centred values framework and provides comparable residential and training offerings.
• Kare (Kildare): Kildare-based voluntary organisation providing services to people with intellectual disabilities and autism across residential, day, and training settings. Comparable service mix and Irish charity funding model, though smaller in scale.
• St John of God Community Services: Irish disability and mental health services provider with residential, day, and clinical services. Shares the model of faith-inspired, multi-site disability service delivery and similar regulatory and funding environment.
• Rehab Group: One of Ireland's largest disability and social inclusion charities, providing training, employment, and health and social services. Overlaps significantly with Horizons' Ability@Work employment support and training centre offerings, though operating at national scale.
• Brothers of Charity Services Ireland: Large Irish charity providing residential, day, and training services to people with intellectual disabilities across multiple counties. Operates under similar Section 38/39 funding arrangements and comparable service portfolio, making it the closest peer in scale and model.
• Cheshire Ireland: Irish disability services charity providing supported living, residential, respite, and day services to people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Direct overlap in service types and Irish Section 38/39 funding model.
• Enable Ireland: National Irish disability services organisation delivering children's services, adult services, training, and assistive technology supports. Comparable service breadth and government-funded charity structure with overlapping customer base of people with disabilities and their families.

Broad incumbents

• Mencap (UK): UK's leading learning disability charity, providing a wide range of services, advocacy, and employment support. Comparable service categories and customer base, though operating at national UK scale rather than regional Irish.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HorizonsCorkIE
• Facebookfacebook.com/HorizonsCorkIE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/horizonscorkie
• Instagraminstagram.com/horizonscorkie
• Xx.com/COPEFoundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cope Foundation