The voice of people and communities in palliative care

Voices4Care is a group of volunteers who share their experiences and perspectives on palliative care to help shape policy, education, research and services across the island of Ireland.

Members include people who have experienced palliative care, carers and family members, and members of our communities who have an interest in making sure people receive excellent palliative care, in the right place, at the right time.
Volunteers are offered opportunities to get involved and can choose to take part in those that interest them, with time commitments that are entirely flexible and based on what suits them.

Supported by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC), Voices4Care ensures that the views and experiences of people and communities continue to influence how palliative care is planned and delivered.

Whether you are interested in becoming a Voices4Care member or would like to involve Voices4Care in your work, please choose one of the following pathways.

• Make a difference by helping shape palliative-care services, policy, and education.

• Be part of a warm, supportive community that values everyone’s views – particularly those with a lived experience of palliative care.

• Learn and share through workshops, events, and cross-community conversations.

• Build confidence and knowledge to share your voice.

• Help create lasting change in how palliative care is understood and delivered.

• You’ll be shared opportunities to take part in activities such as service-improvement discussions, policy consultations, or research groups.

• You can choose which opportunities suit your interests, experience, and availability – there’s no set time commitment or required number of projects.

• You may wish to attend awareness-raising events, such as Palliative Care Week, or other community activities.

• You’ll stay connected with other Voices4Care members, sharing learning and experiences through group sessions and newsletters.

• You’ll have access to training and support to help you take part with confidence.

Every contribution – big or small – helps make a difference.

We welcome people from across the Island of Ireland who want to help improve palliative care, including:

• People who have received palliative care, or who have a serious illness or a life limiting condition

• People who are or have cared for adults or children with palliative care needs, and family members

• Members of all communities, north and south, who have an interest in palliative care and in making sure people receive excellent palliative care, in the right place, at the right time

• Voices4Care is not a bereavement or support group.

• It is not a counselling or therapeutic service.

• For those who have been recently bereaved, we suggest taking some time before applying. Many people find that waiting around 12 months allows space to reflect and decide if involvement feels right.

All members have a nominated contact within the Institute who is available for guidance and support whenever needed.

We provide induction, briefings, and optional training to help members feel confident and informed.

We’ll work with you to ensure your participation is accessible and flexible – whether that means support with travel, technology, or communication.

Our Volunteers’ Voices

Hear directly from people involved in Voices4Care about what volunteering means to them.

Fiona Colclough
Kim Elliot
William Higgins
Brendan Kennelly

The Institute is committed to creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive volunteering experience for everyone involved in Voices4Care

We are delighted to be signed up to the Volunteer Ireland Volunteer Charter. The Charter outlines good practice for volunteer involving organisations and helps set out what volunteers can expect from us, and what we ask of volunteers in return. This includes areas such as communication, support, wellbeing, inclusion, flexibility, training, and recognition.

As part of this commitment, we continue to review and strengthen how we recruit, support, communicate with, and recognise our Voices4Care volunteers across the island of Ireland.

The Charter reflects the values and standards we aim to uphold in our work with volunteers.

Sounds great! How do I express an intertest in volunteering?

Interested in joining Voices4Care?

While we are not currently open for applications, we would still love to hear from you.

You can express your interest in joining Voices4Care, and we will be in touch when future opportunities to join the group become available.

If you have any questions or would like to talk it through, please get in touch using the details below, we are always happy to help.

Register your interest here

Have questions or need support?
Call (00353) 01 491 2948 or email volunteer@aiihpc.org