Voices4Care was established by All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) in 2013 to make a positive difference for people with an illness or condition which may limit or shorten their lives.
It is a forum of people with palliative care needs, carers and community members reflecting diversity across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and to ensure that service user voices are heard.
Membership is now being refreshed and AIIHPC is seeking new volunteers from all corners of the island of Ireland to apply to join the group.
AIIHPC Programme Manager Brendan O’Hara said joining Voices4Care gives committed members of the public the chance to be part of something that can make a real difference and influence palliative care education, research, policy and practice.
“AIIHPC works with a range of hospices, health and social care organisations and universities on the island of Ireland. Through Voices4Care we are committed to having the views of patients and their families at the heart of what we do.
“Members will have meaningful opportunities to influence and inform palliative care services and policy in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Current Voices4Care members include people receiving palliative care, carers and former carers and people from the wider community interested in palliative care.
Describing their own experience, a current member of the group said: “It just gives you the confidence and it’s amazing, it has definitely changed my life.”
Examples of projects which Voices4Care members have been involved in include education awareness videos, public awareness campaigns, informing The Palliative Hub websites (www.thepalliativehub.com), identifying research priorities and consultation events.
An information leaflet and application form to join the group is available at www.aiihpc.org. Applications are sought by Tuesday, August 9th. To find out more contact Brendan O’Hara at bohara@aiihpc.org or call 00353 (0) 1 491 2948.
Leave a Reply