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Appeal for volunteers to help make hospitals happier places for sick children

If you’re cheerful, reliable and have just two or three hours to spare a week, this might be for you.

AN ORGANISATION THAT aims to bring a smile to the faces of children in hospital is seeking volunteers who can spare just two or three hours a week.

Children in Hospital Ireland (CHI) recruits, trains and vets volunteers to play with sick children to try to make hospitals a happier place.

“Hospitalisation can be a very stressful experience for both children and parents. Play helps to alleviate some of that trauma. Simple play activities introduce a reassuring normality to a strange hospital environment. It is a natural part of a child’s life and aids recovery. It also helps the child to build relationships and make new friends, and above all brings fun into the child’s life,” CHI said in its appeal this week.

They want to hear from people who are cheerful, reliable and over 18 years of age who can spare two to three hours a week. Volunteers are needed in four of their Dublin hospitals:

  • Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin
  • Tallaght Hospital
  • Temple Street Children’s University Hospital
  • National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dun Laoghaire

Their introduction and interview evening will take place on Thursday 27th April at 6pm-8pm. Successful candidates will then be invited to attend a training session to be held on Saturday 13th May from 10am to 4pm.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer with CHI you can RSVP to info@childreninhospital.ie or 01 290 3510.

Read: Mad Hatter’s tea party, fairies and an awful lot of egg hunts: here’s what’s on this Easter weekend>

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