About Children in Hospital Ireland
Children in Hospital Ireland (CIH) is a charitable organisation founded in 1970 by a group of parents who had experience of hospitalised children. They were inspired to make a difference for children and families in hospital and ensure that all children were card for appropriately and with respect.
Since its inception, the organisation has played a major role in initiating progressive development in how children are cared for in a hospital environment. CIH have contributed to the creation of playrooms and play areas in many Irish hospitals, and actively advocates to make hospital a happier place for sick children.
What's Involved
*Please note, this volunteer role and service are provided via Children in Hospital Ireland. Please do not contact the hospital directly*
About our Play Volunteers
As a Play Volunteer, your role will be to support child led play and create a play environment for children during their time in hospital. You will work as a part of a pair and will have support from nursing and play staff at the hospital.
Volunteer's will:
- Support play with children of a variety of ages and abilities in the play space or at the bedside. You will engage with children and young people through arts and crafts, story time, board games and more.
- Help maintain a positive experience of hospital for the child and family through play
- Offer families a chance to take a break where possible
- Hand out toys and colouring materials and help to maintain play materials in good condition
- Follow all infection control and child protection policies and procedures.
Each day will vary for the volunteer as the children in hospital themselves and the needs of the families vary. Some days may be very busy, but are as valued as those where you support the play of 1 child. Children in Hospital Ireland strives to make hospital a happier place for children, where every positive experience positively supports future experiences, decreases anxiety and promotes healing.
Interested in learning more?
If you would like to apply to become a Play Volunteer, please watch the short information videos and then submit an application form available on the
Children in Hospital Ireland website.
At present we really need to build the support available to children on weekdays (mornings and afternoons, Monday to Friday), though evenings and weekends are available too!
What's required for this position
Volunteers facilitate play for play's sake to help support a sense of normality, fun and positivity for hospitalised children and their families. As such, no formal skills are required - training will be provided.
- Fun
- Good Communication Skills / Personable
- Comfortable in busy hospital environment
- Reliable and Consistent
- CIH welcomes a diversity of volunteers to reflect our community, languages beyond English especially welcome
- Volunteers are asked to be able to commit to 1 year of volunteering
General skill areas that may be relevant for this role [keywords]:
- Arts/ Music/ Drama
- Hospitality/ Befriending
- Personable Skills
- Youth/ Childcare
Level of English required for this role:
Intermediate English
Times and commitment required for this role
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|
| Morning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|---|
| Afternoon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|---|
| Evening | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|---|
Minimum time commitment: 1 year
Hours required: 2hrs Weekly
Other Details
Location of volunteering opportunity:
University Hospital Galway
Also available in these counties
Galway
Screening details for this role:
- Garda Vetting
- Informal Interviews
- References
- Application Form
- Identification Check (photo ID etc…)
Volunteers will be provided with the following supports:
- Support/ advice/ recognition
- Supervision
- Initial induction and training
- Insurance cover
- Ongoing training opportunities
Volunteers with the following challenges will be supported in this role
Age restrictions:
Over 18
Is this opportunity suitable for groups/teams of volunteers?
No
Benefits you will receive as a volunteer
Volunteers will gain experience working with children and in a hospital environment, see the benefits of play, build new friendships and personal development. Our volunteers say their experience increases their sense of feeling part of their community.
