You, Can Make An Impact
At Make-A-Wish Ireland, we believe in the life-changing power of a wish. Every child living with a life-threatening medical condition carries hope that can fuel strength, courage, and optimism even in the most challenging times. But we cannot make these wishes come true without the dedication and compassion of our volunteers. It only takes a few hours per month. Whether working behind the scenes, or out meeting with the community, we are dedicated to finding a fit for you based on your interests and skills.
Why We Need Volunteers
Our volunteers are the backbone of Make-A-Wish Ireland. They are not just supporters, they are partners, advocates, and changemakers. Volunteers bring to life the wishes that offer children and families moments of joy, relief, and lasting memories. Whether by directly engaging with wish families, supporting fundraising efforts, lending professional skills, or representing us in the community, volunteers expand our reach and deepen our impact far beyond what would be possible alone.
As a Community Volunteer, you’ll attend events, raise awareness, capture wishes with children, guide them through their wish journey, and assist with fundraising. Make-A-Wish Ireland welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds.
Why It Matters
Why Our Volunteers Are Essential and Important
Championing Diversity
We recognise that diversity strengthens our organisation and enhances the experiences we provide. Diversity in all its forms, including culture, background, gender identity, age, lived experience, ability, professional skills and more is critical to ensuring we truly reflect the rich variety of families across Ireland. We allow for our volunteers to be their true and authentic selves. Our volunteers enable us to:
- Build deeper empathy and understanding with Wish families.
- Innovate and adapt to different needs and circumstances.
- Bring creativity and a wide range of talents to all aspects of wishgranting, fundraising, and community engagement.
- Create an inclusive and welcoming community where everyone’s contributions are valued.
- Learn from one another from lived or shared experiences.
Our Shared Values and Beliefs
When you volunteer with Make-A-Wish Ireland, you become part of a values-driven organisation committed to:
Building a Relationship of Trust and Purpose
We understand that volunteering is a deeply personal choice and a generous gift of time, talent, and of yourself. From the moment you join Make-A-Wish Ireland, we are committed to creating a meaningful, respectful, and rewarding volunteer experience where you can:
- See the real, tangible impact of your contribution.
- Work within a supportive, inclusive community.
- Develop personally and professionally.
Align your values with a mission that goes beyond helping children and young people. This is about restoring hope, creating memories, and offering families precious moments of joy.
How Can I Make A Difference?
Wish Journey Volunteer
Description: As a Wish Journey Volunteer, you are the vital bridge between Make-A-Wish and our wish families, meeting with children to explore their most heartfelt wishes. You help transform hope into a concrete vision, capturing each child’s unique wish with care, empathy, and respect. Your presence offers comfort and encouragement, marking the beginning of their wish journey. You may also be called upon to help participate in a Wish Reveal, and this is when the wish comes to life for the child and their family.
Impact on Make-A-Wish: Wish Journey Volunteers ensure that every wish is deeply personal, meaningful, and delivered with high levels of empathy, care and integrity. Through their compassion and attentive listening, they help create and deliver unforgettable experiences that bring joy, strengthen families, and inspire entire communities. These volunteers embody the very heart of Make-A-Wish’s mission.
Fundraising Volunteer
Description: Become part of a team that raises vital funds that make every wish possible. Whether organising events, rallying your community, or supporting campaigns, your creativity and energy fuel the resources we need to create life-changing experiences for children. Every euro you help raise brings us one step closer to granting a child’s wish.
Impact on Make-A-Wish: Fundraising Volunteers are the driving force behind our ability to say yes to every eligible child. The efforts of fundraisers directly fund the wishes that bring joy, hope, and strength to families facing unimaginable challenges. By mobilising communities, they ensure Make-A-Wish can reach more children and create more moments of happiness.
Schools Volunteer
Description: As a Schools Volunteer, you inspire young people to connect with the power of giving back to their community. By visiting schools, supporting or leading presentations, and exploring student-led fundraising with schools with our biggest events being around Wish Week, you help build awareness of Make-A-Wish while encouraging the next generation to believe in hope, compassion, and action. Your work empowers young people to see how even small efforts can create extraordinary impact.
Impact on Make-A-Wish: Schools Volunteers broaden Make-A-Wish’s reach by fostering early engagement and building long-term community support. By leading with empathy, education and inspiration, they help grow future community leaders, fundraisers, and wish granters who will carry the mission forward for years to come. Their work plants the seed of kindness that flourish across entire communities.
Special Skills / Administration Volunteer
Description: As a Specialist Skills or Administration Volunteer, you bring your unique talents to strengthen the vital behind-the-scenes work that powers Make-A-Wish. Whether offering professional expertise, supporting office tasks, or helping with technology, communications, or logistics, your skills help ensure every wish is delivered efficiently and with care. You are part of the invisible foundation that allows for wishes to happen.
Impact on Make-A-Wish: Specialist Skills and Administration Volunteers allow Make-A-Wish to operate at its highest level, ensuring resources are maximised and every child’s wish is fulfilled. Their contributions improve systems, support teams, and enable more wishes to be granted by freeing up vital capacity. Quietly but powerfully, these volunteers help turn these wishes into reality.
Volunteer With Your Club or School
Description: Getting involved in volunteering at school or in a club is more than just helping out. It’s about kindness, connection, and making a real difference. When you volunteer for Make-A-Wish, you’re showing a peer in need that they matter and you are acknowledging their experience. Whether it’s organising and running a Bake a Wish, Wear What You Wish, or Walk for Wishes, you’re helping children across Ireland who are going through really tough times. Volunteering for Make-A-Wish is a chance to do something meaningful together with your peers, and to be part of something truly inspiring. This is so much more than just raising money.
Impact on Make-A-Wish: Every event you organise at your school or club helps Make-A-Wish reach more children and young people living with serious illnesses. The money you raise helps turn big wishes like meeting a sports hero, going on a special trip, or getting a much-wanted gift into reality. These wishes bring families moments of happiness and strength that stay with them forever. By doing a volunteer project for Make-A-Wish you’re not just helping from the side lines, you’re changing lives.
Are you ready to partner with Make-A-Wish and make a difference in the lives of children and young people and their families? Register your interest in volunteering with us today and receive an information pack to learn more.
