Frequently Asked Questions

Volunteers fulfil a wide range of roles within both Harold’s Cross and Blackrock Hospices. These roles include assisting staff with patient care in the wards, assisting with social activities such as Bingo, Skittles and Art in the Extended Care Unit, performing music for patients and residents, Eucharistic Ministry, driving patients and residents to and from appointments, helping in the coffee shop and at Blackrock, helping at Reception on weekends.

This depends on the role and day you have volunteered for. You will receive a Role Description at the time of interview which states the time commitment involved. The typical commitment for most roles is 3 – 4 hour a week at the same time each week, but there is flexibility with many roles. Some volunteers commit once a fortnight or once a month – all time given is of immense value to the Hospice.

Yes, there are roles available in the evenings and at weekends.

To volunteer with Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, you must be a minimum of 18 years old. Student placements are available for students over 16 years. If you have had a recent bereavement generally you are required to wait two years before volunteering. To be a volunteer you must attend the required training, follow the guidelines of the Volunteer Handbook and Volunteer Policy, and be capable of carrying out the tasks you have volunteered for.

On receipt of your application, the Volunteer Coordinators will contact your referees and if appropriate, will then contact you to arrange a meeting. If you are offered a role, you will then be asked to provide Photo ID and complete a form allowing Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services to carry out Garda Vetting. Once Garda clearance is confirmed, a start date and orientation will be arranged with you.

Don’t worry if you haven’t had an interview before, this is an opportunity for us to get to know you better face-to-face and for you to get to know more about us. We‘ll discuss the role you’ve applied for and you’ll also receive a copy of your Role Description and the Volunteer Handbook.

All new volunteers receive Orientation training, role specific training and the relevant HSE mandatory training. As part of your orientation, you are invited to a welcome session to meet the team and other volunteers. You will be allocated a ward and will shadow another volunteer for a period of time to see the role in action. You will have regular support and contact from your Volunteer Coordinator.

All new volunteers receive Orientation training, role specific training and the relevant HSE mandatory training. As part of your orientation, you are invited to a welcome session to meet the team and other volunteers. You will be allocated a ward and will shadow another volunteer for a period of time to see the role in action. You will have regular support and contact from your Volunteer Coordinator.

If you feel after a trial period that this is not the role for you, please feel free to contact the Volunteer Office and discuss switching to a more suitable role, if one is available.