Children in Hospital Ireland was founded in 1970 by a group of concerned parents who lobbied on behalf of children in hospital and their families for improved access for parents, access to play and education in hospitals and better communications between parents and medical staff. 

Our mission is to promote the wellbeing of children within the healthcare system in Ireland, in particular before, during and after hospitalisation. We provide information and support to parents and carers and engage in advocacy in relation to healthcare services for children. In addition, we aim to make the hospital a happier place for children and young people by providing volunteer-led play and recreation services. 

Our volunteer play service is now available in fourteen hospitals around Ireland, with more than 450 volunteers providing play facilitation on a daily basis in wards, emergency departments, outpatient departments, and, where available, playrooms. This equates to an annual 48,000 volunteer hours with the service reaching approximately 100,000 children. In providing this service, Children in Hospital Ireland strives to adhere to the highest standards in recruiting, training, mentoring and supporting its volunteers.

Programmes and activities include:

• Provision of play and recreation for sick children by trained Hospital Play Volunteers;
• Advocacy with Policy Makers, relevant Government departments and hospitals
• Information and advice service for children, parents and professionals;
• Education programmes for schools, colleges, parents, and health and other professionals;
• Awareness raising through our Annual Lecture and awareness raising projects;
• Research Programme;
• Networking with relevant patient and representative bodies in Ireland and in Europe