Co. Dublin
Children 4 World Children is a group dedicated to the integration and experience of people from different cultures. The group hosts various events for culture sharing, including their Sports Across the World event that exposes young people to fun new ways to exercise and build community. They celebrate the music and dancing of cultures across the globe and this year’s Waka Waka Africa event highlighted the food and games important to different cultures in Africa, complete with hair braiding and beautiful traditional dress. They also recently had a music night to experience Mediterranean culture.
Important to their mission is their Excel English class, which is free language class to help enrich the lives of lower fluency English speakers. Providing knowledge and a safe place to practice English bolsters the confidence of new arrivals, giving them a social and professional boost. Parents gain the skills to read a bedtime story to their kids in English.
“Our volunteers are more than just individuals who donate their time—they are a vibrant, diverse community that mirrors the principles of inclusivity and unity” writes their nominator.
Co. Galway
HopeSpace provides free one-to-one listening and care for children between the ages of 4 to 17 who have experienced loss. Volunteers are trained in the psychology of bereavement and help young people navigate the emotional complexities of loss, offering comfort and a framework for understanding their grief. The volunteers are trained to provide more than just emotional validation; they also equip children and young people with practical coping mechanisms. Grief can be overwhelming, especially for younger individuals who may not yet have the emotional tools to process such a complex experience. Volunteers introduce strategies for managing grief, such as journaling, creative expression through art or music, and physical activity, which are all proven methods for helping children process their emotions. These young people are building resilience for future challenges.
The support provided by the volunteers extends beyond the individual. The positive effects of their work ripple out to families and communities as well. Grieving children are part of grieving families, and when one member is supported, it can create a healthier dynamic for everyone.
“What truly sets HopeSpace volunteers apart is the personal connection they establish with each child they support. This individualised approach ensures that the child feels seen, heard, and valued as a person, not just as a ‘grieving individual’” writes their nominator.
Co. Limerick
Milford Care Centre’s Bereavement Support Volunteers are there to provide comfort and compassion during some of the hardest periods of people’s lives. They are available for those mourning friends and family and provide supports like telephone support sessions, talks about grief, and bereavement groups. These services are invaluable for the compassionate listening ear and the comfort they bring to people, some of whom have experienced complex loss and need a confidential third party outside their friends and family to talk to. Grieving often comes with powerful emotions and can be unfamiliar territory for the person experiencing it, which is where the gentle guidance of the volunteers comes in. Bereavement support at Milford Care Centre did not stop during COVID, when grief could seem overwhelming in an already isolating time. Their telephone services helped people feel less alone and even start to feel hopeful again.
“We are often told about their kindness and thoughtfulness, how invaluable it is for bereaved people to feel heard and understood, how this support is not available anywhere else. They tell us of the warmth of the volunteers, in a smile, a look, a handshake, how they are listened to. Evaluations tell us that people feel respected, cared for and less lonely. They tell us that people feel lighter after their encounter with our volunteers” writes their nominator.
