Volunteer Services

What We Do

Our Volunteer Services Department has been running since the doors of the hospital opened in 1998. Originally our volunteers showed patients coming to the new hospital where to find their clinic or a ward to find their loved one.

As our hospital has grown so to, has the unique contribution our volunteers make to our patients healthcare journey. Each volunteer at Tallaght University Hospital plays an indispensable role in enhancing the experience our patients, their carers and visitors have during their time with us, whether it is for a brief or extended period of time.

In addition to an array of support services, our volunteer programme particularly through the Volunteer Coffee Shop raise funds which are invested back into programmes within the hospital that benefit of patients. The primary benefactor of monies raised is our extensive arts programme, below are just some of the initiatives supported by our Volunteer programme. If you are interested in becoming involved in our Volunteer Programme please read the information below which includes application details. 

How to Apply?

If you are interested in volunteering at Tallaght University Hospital please contact the Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALs) team on Ph: (01) 414 4709 and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have. All volunteers need to complete a registration form and return it by email pals@tuh.ie or by post to Ms. Carol Mullins, Manager, Patient Advice & Liaison Service, Tallaght University Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 NR0A. If you apply you must be prepared to attend volunteer training and orientation, depending on the volunteer role this can take up to two days

To be eligible as a volunteer you must:

• Be enthusiastic and willing to help others 
• Be able to commit to regular volunteer shifts for a minimum of 12 months 
• Pass Garda Vetting Process and if applicable International Police Clearance
• Be able to provide two references (not relatives)

Once we receive your application we will organise an interview, reference check, commence Garda Vetting process and arrange any training required either in person or via HSEland website. Following consultation we will then place you in an appropriate volunteer programme and agree your work schedule taking into consideration your work preference, availability and current volunteer vacancies.

Coffee Shop Volunteers

Our coffee shop in the main atrium is always a hub of activity. It is a lot more than a place to buy a hot drink and a bun. It is a space for people as they attend their appointments need to take in whatever news they have received, a meeting point for patients who are well enough to leave their ward and enjoy a visit from their families, it is also a popular space for staff who are taking a meal break. Our volunteers in the coffee shop engage with their customers providing on occasion some light relief or a listening ear. The service also provides a space for our volunteers who need extra support to participate in being active members of our local community.

The coffee shop is open from Monday to Thursday 10am-2pm.

Meet, Greet & Guide Volunteers

Tallaght University Hospital is one of Ireland’s largest acute teaching hospitals and this is reflected in the number of outpatient appointments attended each year. Annually over 240,000 patients attend the hospital for clinic appointments. The Meet, Greet & Guide Volunteers group provide an invaluable service in assisting the patients attending the hospital each day. 

Volunteers support patients as they interact with the Self Registration Out-patient Kiosks, helping patients check-in for their particular clinic appointment. The kiosks print out detailed directions on how to find the particular clinic.  The kiosks and assistance provided by the volunteers is invaluable in ensuring our busy outpatients clinics run efficiently.

In addition our volunteers also aim to take any uncertainty from the patient’s journey by guiding them to their clinic destination.

Pastoral Care

Our volunteers provide support through the volunteering of Eucharistic Ministers and Pastoral Visitors, we also provide training for Healthcare Chaplaincy.

If you are interested in volunteering with our Pastoral Care Team please contact the Director of Pastoral Care:
John Kelly via email: John.Kelly@tuh.ie or Tel: 01 414 2482

Daffodil Centre

Located in the main atrium this service is provided in partnership with the Irish Cancer Society. Trained volunteers provide information to patients, their families and members of the general public. The Centre is open Monday to Friday.

Patient Engagement

Volunteers engage and co-ordinate social activity with patients in our Charlie O’Toole Day Hospital. Patients who attend the Hospital for therapy and social interaction participate in arts & crafts, music, bingo, indoor gardening, play board games or sometimes just a chat.

Hospital Arts Programme

The Arts & Health Team at Tallaght University Hospital is always seeking volunteer artists to participate in the exciting art programme for patients in the Hospital. The programme involves volunteer artists spending two hours per week with patients on selected wards. Visual artists use a ‘Mobile Art Trolley’ stocked with art materials and we welcome artists from all art forms, especially visual art, music and creative writing. Artists invite patients to express themselves using the art materials by their bedside and support and encourage patients to engage in arts.

Patients are offered the opportunity to create, but a refusal to engage will always be respected. Volunteer artists are supported by the Arts Officer. The Clinical areas in which the artist would be offered work include Age Related Health Care, Renal Dialysis and Neurology  (N.B. subject to Garda clearance and suitable references). For further information on the Arts programme in the hospital please visit their department information on the website.

Donations

Tallaght University Hospital provides world-class healthcare to adults every day. Together with our partners, the Adelaide Health Foundation, the Meath Foundation and Tallaght University Hospital Foundation, we endeavour to provide patients with life-changing treatment, improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

This vital work is assisted through donations and, as such, we welcome donations and the support of the wider community. To find out more about making a donation, please visit:

• The Adelaide Health Foundation
• The Meath Foundation
• Tallaght University Hospital Foundation (TUHF)