Like to help?
Sadly most people in Ireland personally know someone who has experienced the tragic death of a child/adult child and have witnessed the devastation that follows for the family. We are currently looking for volunteers to help Anam Cara with our 2012 National Awareness campaign.
How can I help?
Anam Cara's 2012 National Awareness Campaign is taking place during November. You could help Anam Cara increase awareness of our online and face to face services as well as raise funds for us to deliver these support services free of charge for families throughout Ireland by:
Assisting us with our National Bag Pack with Dunnes Stores taking place on Saturday 3rd November 2012. We currently need County Coordinators to help us coordinate this event in your area.
Store Supervisors to help us for a couple of hours on 3rd November
How else could I help?
Would you consider asking your local shops or pharmacy to take an Anam Cara Collection box and the Anam Cara pins for the month of November?
Have you a special skill for fundraising, social media, marketing/PR that would help Anam Cara promote our support services in your area.
If you are interested in any of the above roles please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01 4045378 for more information.
Bereaved Parents Helping Bereaved Parents
'Sometimes when we reach out to help others on this very difficult journey through grief and loss, we also help ourselves, that is the very essence of Anam Cara...'
Anam Cara wants to ensure there is a Support Group within a traveling distance for parents throughout Ireland. These support groups are dependent on Anam Cara Volunteers.
Our current Anam Cara Support groups offer bereaved parents the opportunity to meet with each other in a safe and comfortable environment. They help reduce the social isolation we often feel after the death of our children and there is some comfort in talking to other parents who are on a similar journey, as they really do understand the intensity of the grief after the death of a son or daughter. Meeting parents who are a little further on their journey can give newly bereaved parents the hope they too will be able to cope and survive their grief.
Anam Cara has our "Core Values" to help guide the Anam Cara Liaison Parents and any new parents coming into the group.
The support groups meet once a month or bi monthly for 1.5 hour.. For each group we normally look for 4 - 5 volunteers to ensure the commitment is minimal and it also gives our volunteers the opportunity to go to the support group meeting as a bereaved parent with someone else facilitating the meeting that month. There is an Anam Cara Caretaker (an appropriate qualified bereavement therapist) present at each meeting to support the Anam Cara Volunteers during the meeting.
The support groups meet in a comfortable venue and at each meeting we have our Lending Library and information leaflets available.
Current Satellite Groups
- Co. Donegal - Letterkenny
- Co. Mayo - Castlebar
- Co. Galway - Galway City
- Co. Cork - Cork City
- Co. Tipperary - Thurles
- Dublin - Tallaght
- Armagh - Northern Ireland
We are also hoping to set up an Anam Cara Support group in Tralee, Co Kerry; Enniscorthy, Co Wexford; and the Midlands.
Is this for me?
To volunteer for an Anam Cara satellite group in your area, we would recommend you are a minimum 18 – 24 months on in your journey, after the death of your son or daughter. Anam Cara will supply all the materials needed for the support group.
Before You Start!
Talk to another Anam Cara Volunteer about the role. We will also facilitate professionally led training workshops for our volunteers, so they will feel comfortable and confident co-facilitating their group with the Anam Cara Caretaker. Volunteers would also have a chance to shadow another volunteer to see what the role entails before making a commitment.
Will it set me back on my journey through grief and loss?
Our Liaison Parents overall well being is of paramount importance to Anam Cara, bereaved parents who take on this role with an Anam Cara group will avail of Self Care Sessions. These are specific meetings for Anam Cara Volunteers facilitated by the Anam Cara Caretaker and give our volunteers the time and space to talk about their on going journey. From time to time Anam Cara will offer Refresher Training and additional training that our volunteers may want to avail of.
To find out more information about becoming a Anam Cara Liaison Parent, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 01 4045378
