Childhood Cancer Ireland is currently recruiting parent peer support volunteers to join our Parent Peer Support Programme.
Peer supporters will have had a child diagnosed with childhood, adolescent or young adult cancer. You must be at least three years out of treatment in order to become a peer supporter.
In order to best match parents with a volunteer with similar experiences, we are currently recruiting parents with experience of the following:
- Experience of attending a shared care hospital
- Experience of adolescent or young adult cancer
- Experience of having a younger child (up to age 12) diagnosed with cancer
- Experience of recurrence or relapse
- Experience of a diagnosis of a brain tumour
- Experience of transplant (stem cell or bone marrow)
About our Parent Peer Support Programme
This programme connects parents with a trained volunteer peer supporter to help them navigate through their child or young person’s cancer and beyond. Our parent peer supporters provide a compassionate and friendly source of support, as well as sharing practical knowledge on the supports and services that might be useful.
What is a peer supporter?
Peer supporters are volunteers who are generously offering their time and share similar experiences of childhood cancer. They can understand and empathise with people who have requested peer support. Peer Supporters are well-informed, authentic, compassionate, can connect with people, and express warmth and understanding.
As a peer supporter, you will receive the training necessary to enable you to deliver emotional support and a listening ear to other parents who are experiencing / have experienced childhood, adolescent or young adult cancer.
You may also be able to share practical information about supports or services which you have accessed and would benefit the peer you have been matched with. Your training will also equip you to be aware of and maintain boundaries, such as not sharing medical advice, for example. You will continue to receive support, supervision and training throughout your involvement in the peer support programme.
Time commitment
The peer supporter role is voluntary. We ask for a minimum of a 1-year commitment, which can be extended to a maximum of five years. There is no expectation regarding the amount of time you give on a weekly or monthly basis. We know that commitments and priorities change for volunteers and your own wellbeing always comes first.
Training
Childhood Cancer Ireland will provide all necessary training, which includes:
- Programme manual outlining the entire process and all relevant policies and procedures
- 1-day comprehensive essential skills online course
- 1-day safeguarding children and vulnerable adults’ online course
- Half-day online induction
All are delivered online during working hours.
Reporting
You will report to the Peer Support Programme Manager. After each peer support call you will complete a short debrief form, outlining any further actions that may be required, such as a referral to another services, for example.
Looking after our volunteers
The wellbeing of our volunteers is key to our programme. You will be required to take part in monthly group check-in meetings with the Programme Manager, with the option of further emotional support if required.
Recruitment process
The recruitment process will include an interview with the CEO and Peer Support Programme Manager and you will be required to complete Garda Vetting for the role.