Our Volunteer FAQs

Make-A-Wish has 100 volunteers across Ireland with diverse backgrounds, skills, and experience. Volunteers must be over 21 years of age. We request that volunteers are over 21 years of age as the wish visits at times can be very challenging and emotional which require good personal/communication skills along with life experience. The age restriction for volunteers wishing to fundraise on behalf of Make-A-Wish is 14 years old. 

Make-A-Wish welcomes all applications and is committed to building a community of volunteers that embraces diversity and represents our wish families.

Our Community Volunteers are the foundation of Make-A-Wish. As a Community Volunteer you will be involved in attending events on behalf of Make-A-Wish, raising awareness of Make-A-Wish in your area, visiting wish children to bring them on their wish journey and assisting with our national fundraising day - Wish Day. You will also have the option to deliver school talks to primary and secondary school students.

Click here for more information.

In addition, a variety of tasks outside of the Community Volunteer requirements may be available from time to time such as but not limited to event planning, online marketing, interior design, carpentry skills. Get in contact with our Volunteer Coordinator on [email protected] to find out if we have any other roles available and keep an eye on our social media platforms.

Process for applying

1. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator to receive an information pack
2. Complete application form
3. In person / video or phone call interviews
4. Reference checks
5. Garda vetting application completed
6. Attend Training session
7. Begin role

Make-A-Wish Ireland reserve the right to reject volunteer applications at any stage during this process. 

Please email the Volunteer Coordinator on [email protected] for an application form or complete the expression of interest form here.

These are all desirable skills but are not a necessity.

• Good with children
• Strong communication skills
• Empathy
• Organised
• Reliability
• IT Skills
• Highly motivated self-starter with initiative and drive
• Previous experience in fundraising events is desirable
• Access to a car is desirable but not essential

In addition, a variety of opportunities outside of the tasks above may become available to support the mission, which could compliment your own specific skill set such as, event planning, online marketing, interior design, carpentry skills etc

Due to the nature of the work we do, there is no standard time that our volunteers need to commit to. Time commitment can vary depending on the amount of wishes in your areas or school talk requests etc. We do ask that you spread awareness of Make-A-Wish as much as possible. We understand personal and work commitments can limit your availability sometimes and we are happy to work alongside you with this.

All Make-A-Wish ‘Community Volunteers’ must complete Garda vetting prior to becoming a volunteer if they are going to be carrying out Wish Visits.

Full training is given and is facilitated by our Volunteer Coordinator.

Core training will consist of:

Wishgranting Training

• Held online via zoom
• 1.5 hours x 2 sessions

Tusla Children First E-Learning Programme

• Online - onin your own time
• 1.5 hours

Volunteers will receive a copy of the volunteer full policy and must sign a volunteer agreement to confirm they have read and will adhere to all policies outlined.

Volunteers will also receive ongoing training to provide them with the information and skills necessary to perform their specific tasks effectively. The training will be appropriate for the demands of the position and the responsibilities of the volunteer.