Irish Cancer Society needs Daffodil Centre volunteers across Dublin

New volunteers needed for Daffodil Centres at Beaumont Hospital, St. James’ Hospital, St. Luke’s Rathgar and St. Vincent’s University Hospital

The Irish Cancer Society is looking for new volunteers to help out at its Daffodil Centres in Dublin, specifically in Beaumont Hospital, St. James’ Hospital, St. Luke’s Rathgar and St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

The Daffodil Centres are a walk-in cancer information centres for cancer patients, their families and anyone concerned about cancer. All centres are located on-site in the hospital and are run by Irish Cancer Society specialist cancer nurses and trained volunteers. The Daffodil Centres in Dublin form part of a network of 13 centres across the country. 

Speaking about the recruitment, Deirdre Murphy, Survivor Support and Volunteer Co-ordinator with the Irish Cancer Society said, “Our Daffodil Centres are often a first stop for many cancer patients and their families and are a really important resource, not only for reliable and trustworthy information but emotional support too.”

“All Daffodil Centres are staffed by a specialist cancer nurse but are also dependent on an amazing team of trained volunteers who are often the first contact that many cancer patients will have in the hospital. It is a vital role and we are really looking forward to welcoming some a new crop of volunteers to the Dublin centres.”

Brenda Conboy, volunteer at St. James’s Hospital Daffodil Centre, added, “I joined the team at St. James’s Hospital because I had been through cancer myself and I knew I would be able to offer patients some advice and support. Whether you are before, going through or after treatment, it is really important to have someone you can chat openly to about your worries and fears. Being a volunteer is really fulfilling and I learn something new every day. I would encourage anyone who has a few hours a week to get in touch with the Irish Cancer Society.”

Volunteers are asked to commit to a morning or afternoon (four hours) once a week and there is no requirement for volunteers on the weekend. Following successful interviews, volunteers will be asked to attend four days of training.

For more information or to apply to become a trained Daffodil Centre volunteer, please contact Deirdre Murphy, Survivor Support and Volunteer Coordinator on (01) 2310 564 or email dmurphy@irishcancer.ie

The role of the Daffodil Centre volunteer is to:

• Make visitors to the centre feel welcome.
• Show centre visitors the range of information and resources available and advise them appropriately.
• Arrange for visitors to meet with the nurse.
• Bring visitors/patients to hospital appointments or services.
• Accompany the enquirers to the appropriate department within the hospital.
• Promotion of the centre through leaflet distribution within the hospital.
• Participate in cancer awareness campaigns.