About Us
Children in Hospital Ireland (CIH) boasts over five decades of dedicated service to the well-being and rights of children in hospitals across the United Kingdom. Their passionate team of volunteers and professionals tirelessly endeavours to enhance the hospital experiences of young patients, providing essential support to improve their lives and those of their families.
Advocating for Child Hospital Rights
CIH’s relentless efforts have led to significant changes, including the right for parents to stay with their children during hospitalisation. Today, this practice is considered the norm, thanks to CIH’s advocacy.
The Heart of CIH: The Play Service
CIH’s play service, available in hospitals across Ireland, sets them apart as the only charity offering such support. Around 500 volunteers facilitate play and information services in 14 paediatric units, including wards, playrooms, emergency, and outpatient departments.
Influencing National Guidelines
CIH’s contributions have been recognised by the Department of Health, healthcare professionals, and other charities, leading to important additions to national guidelines.
The Paediatric Carer Wellness Project
CIH’s latest initiative, the ‘Paediatric Carer Wellness Project,’ aims to provide carers with tools to navigate challenging times. Led by expert facilitators, these virtual sessions help carers develop resilience and self-compassion. For families with a child in the hospital, this support is invaluable.
Integrating Vital Support
The ‘Paediatric Carer Wellness Project’ is a pilot program, complementary to CIH’s Family Support Initiative. The long-term vision is to integrate this service into the Health Service Executive throughout Ireland, providing vital support for families.
The grant
This grant will enable CIH to create a paediatric-specific resource and empower parents to share their knowledge. Parents who have experienced a child’s hospital stay understand the challenges, and their insight can help build vital coping skills and reduce isolation.
The grant is specifically designated for CIH’s Paediatric Carer Wellness Project, which aims to establish a new digital information service for families with a child in an Irish hospital or receiving hospital care.
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