Rosa Murray - Volunteering in Tallaght Hospital

Like a lot of mothers, my children have grown up and left home and I was left with time on my hands. I decided to give volunteering a go. I registered with the volunteer Centre and put myself forward to volunteer in the coffee shop in Tallaght Hospital.I was introduced to Carol the volunteer manager of Tallaght Hospital and Deirdre who look after the volunteer services.

I have now been volunteering in the coffee shop for the last two years. We also sell second hand books with all the proceeds going back into the hospital service. My work is pleasant and rewarding. I have made lots of new friends and I have also got to know a lot of the patients who love to come down for a chat and a coffee. The hospittal patients and the out patients have told me how much they appreciate the volunteer staff.

I have got so much out of my volunteer work and have now planned to give more of my time to helping children with reading difficulties. I have just finished a TEFL course which I enjoyed very much. I hope to spend a lot more years working as a volunteer in the Tallaght Community.