Latest news with #StarlightRoom
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Wexford charity partners with Gorey Market House Festival to create more inclusive spaces
AFA is a Gorey based charity, which offers support for families in north Wexford. The collaboration includes a sensory picnic, which will take place on Saturday, July 19, at 1pm in Gorey Town Park. The event will include sensory toys and other equipment from the Starlight Room, located at Gorey Business Park. Families will also be able to access ear defenders, fidget toys, sunglasses, blankets, and more to help create a calmer, more enjoyable experience for everyone at the festival. Chairperson, Vincent Dixon spoke about the collaboration, saying this year is experimental to see what is needed for the future. 'The plan this year is to just go for it and really see what we need for festival going forward. 'It's making the festival more enjoyable for members of the community, who would usually struggle. Because they need that space to go back to when they need it, so they can relax,' Vincent said. Vincent got involved with the charity two years ago and was appointed chairperson in October 2024. He spoke about the positive direction Gorey has made for inclusion in the community. 'People are much more understanding of it. People make the effort to make places quitter for children. A lot of businesses are welcoming us in for activities too,' he added. Later that evening, Advocates for Autism will set up a sensory stall on Gorey Main Street to provide information and resources to those in need. Their sensory toolkit will be available at the stall. They will also be taking suggestions and feedback for future planning for inclusivity at other events. Advocates for Autism shared on their Facebook page: 'This is more than just a festival – it's a movement for inclusion, understanding, and change. Let's make Wexford a place where neurodiverse voices are heard, valued, and empowered.' Advocates for Autism was set up by a group of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2011.
The Advertiser
18-05-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Starlight recipient-turned-volunteer 'pays it forward'
Born with a genetic disorder that nearly killed her, Mikaela Norris spent much of her childhood in hospital. During every stay for treatment connected to her spinal muscular atrophy type 2, she and her older sister would visit the Starlight Room, where volunteers provided games, crafts and a friendly face. "It made hospital a lot more friendly for me and my family," Ms Norris told AAP. "As a kid you're like, 'why am I here and getting poked with needles and I can't get out of bed? That's not really fair' "But then the Starlight captains are there to paint your face and play games with you and you're like, 'oh, it's not too bad, I guess'." Now 23, she still visits the Starlight Room at Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, but as a volunteer to "pay it forward". Ms Norris, who works four hours every Wednesday, says she had been worried about her ability to contribute due to her physical limitations. But having been the child patient in the room, she offers empathy other volunteers can't. "I get quite insecure about my disability and how much I can actually help ... (but) I do see a lot of myself in a couple of the kids that I'm able to meet," she said. "I want to make their hospital experience a little bit more tolerable, it really does make a difference." The way people volunteer has changed in recent years, according to Volunteering Australia chief executive Mark Pearce. Instead of making a formal commitment to certain days and times, there was an emerging trend of people doing more ad-hoc volunteering, he said. "It might be you and I get together and say, 'you know, at that creek down the road, there's got a lot of rubbish in it, let's just go clean it up'," Mr Pearce said. The organisation is using National Volunteer Week, which begins on Monday, to urge more people to donate their time. People like Ms Norris - those who had been positively impacted by volunteering - were often those most likely to want to give back, Mr Pearce said. But many others volunteered just to demonstrate their commitment to their community, he said. Around six million people volunteer through organisations across the nation and millions more volunteer informally in their local communities, according to the organisation's figures. It was cruelly ironic that volunteers were most needed at times of stress - such as during the current cost-of-living crisis or following natural disasters - but those same events could prompt a decline in numbers, Mr Pearce acknowledged. "But it's important to understand with volunteering that it goes both ways," he added. "Communities benefit from volunteers as volunteers benefit from volunteering itself." Ms Norris concurs. "Seeing families and kids laughing and smiling, knowing that they probably had a rough week or couple of days ... that's all that matters." Born with a genetic disorder that nearly killed her, Mikaela Norris spent much of her childhood in hospital. During every stay for treatment connected to her spinal muscular atrophy type 2, she and her older sister would visit the Starlight Room, where volunteers provided games, crafts and a friendly face. "It made hospital a lot more friendly for me and my family," Ms Norris told AAP. "As a kid you're like, 'why am I here and getting poked with needles and I can't get out of bed? That's not really fair' "But then the Starlight captains are there to paint your face and play games with you and you're like, 'oh, it's not too bad, I guess'." Now 23, she still visits the Starlight Room at Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, but as a volunteer to "pay it forward". Ms Norris, who works four hours every Wednesday, says she had been worried about her ability to contribute due to her physical limitations. But having been the child patient in the room, she offers empathy other volunteers can't. "I get quite insecure about my disability and how much I can actually help ... (but) I do see a lot of myself in a couple of the kids that I'm able to meet," she said. "I want to make their hospital experience a little bit more tolerable, it really does make a difference." The way people volunteer has changed in recent years, according to Volunteering Australia chief executive Mark Pearce. Instead of making a formal commitment to certain days and times, there was an emerging trend of people doing more ad-hoc volunteering, he said. "It might be you and I get together and say, 'you know, at that creek down the road, there's got a lot of rubbish in it, let's just go clean it up'," Mr Pearce said. The organisation is using National Volunteer Week, which begins on Monday, to urge more people to donate their time. People like Ms Norris - those who had been positively impacted by volunteering - were often those most likely to want to give back, Mr Pearce said. But many others volunteered just to demonstrate their commitment to their community, he said. Around six million people volunteer through organisations across the nation and millions more volunteer informally in their local communities, according to the organisation's figures. It was cruelly ironic that volunteers were most needed at times of stress - such as during the current cost-of-living crisis or following natural disasters - but those same events could prompt a decline in numbers, Mr Pearce acknowledged. "But it's important to understand with volunteering that it goes both ways," he added. "Communities benefit from volunteers as volunteers benefit from volunteering itself." Ms Norris concurs. "Seeing families and kids laughing and smiling, knowing that they probably had a rough week or couple of days ... that's all that matters." Born with a genetic disorder that nearly killed her, Mikaela Norris spent much of her childhood in hospital. During every stay for treatment connected to her spinal muscular atrophy type 2, she and her older sister would visit the Starlight Room, where volunteers provided games, crafts and a friendly face. "It made hospital a lot more friendly for me and my family," Ms Norris told AAP. "As a kid you're like, 'why am I here and getting poked with needles and I can't get out of bed? That's not really fair' "But then the Starlight captains are there to paint your face and play games with you and you're like, 'oh, it's not too bad, I guess'." Now 23, she still visits the Starlight Room at Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, but as a volunteer to "pay it forward". Ms Norris, who works four hours every Wednesday, says she had been worried about her ability to contribute due to her physical limitations. But having been the child patient in the room, she offers empathy other volunteers can't. "I get quite insecure about my disability and how much I can actually help ... (but) I do see a lot of myself in a couple of the kids that I'm able to meet," she said. "I want to make their hospital experience a little bit more tolerable, it really does make a difference." The way people volunteer has changed in recent years, according to Volunteering Australia chief executive Mark Pearce. Instead of making a formal commitment to certain days and times, there was an emerging trend of people doing more ad-hoc volunteering, he said. "It might be you and I get together and say, 'you know, at that creek down the road, there's got a lot of rubbish in it, let's just go clean it up'," Mr Pearce said. The organisation is using National Volunteer Week, which begins on Monday, to urge more people to donate their time. People like Ms Norris - those who had been positively impacted by volunteering - were often those most likely to want to give back, Mr Pearce said. But many others volunteered just to demonstrate their commitment to their community, he said. Around six million people volunteer through organisations across the nation and millions more volunteer informally in their local communities, according to the organisation's figures. It was cruelly ironic that volunteers were most needed at times of stress - such as during the current cost-of-living crisis or following natural disasters - but those same events could prompt a decline in numbers, Mr Pearce acknowledged. "But it's important to understand with volunteering that it goes both ways," he added. "Communities benefit from volunteers as volunteers benefit from volunteering itself." Ms Norris concurs. "Seeing families and kids laughing and smiling, knowing that they probably had a rough week or couple of days ... that's all that matters." Born with a genetic disorder that nearly killed her, Mikaela Norris spent much of her childhood in hospital. During every stay for treatment connected to her spinal muscular atrophy type 2, she and her older sister would visit the Starlight Room, where volunteers provided games, crafts and a friendly face. "It made hospital a lot more friendly for me and my family," Ms Norris told AAP. "As a kid you're like, 'why am I here and getting poked with needles and I can't get out of bed? That's not really fair' "But then the Starlight captains are there to paint your face and play games with you and you're like, 'oh, it's not too bad, I guess'." Now 23, she still visits the Starlight Room at Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, but as a volunteer to "pay it forward". Ms Norris, who works four hours every Wednesday, says she had been worried about her ability to contribute due to her physical limitations. But having been the child patient in the room, she offers empathy other volunteers can't. "I get quite insecure about my disability and how much I can actually help ... (but) I do see a lot of myself in a couple of the kids that I'm able to meet," she said. "I want to make their hospital experience a little bit more tolerable, it really does make a difference." The way people volunteer has changed in recent years, according to Volunteering Australia chief executive Mark Pearce. Instead of making a formal commitment to certain days and times, there was an emerging trend of people doing more ad-hoc volunteering, he said. "It might be you and I get together and say, 'you know, at that creek down the road, there's got a lot of rubbish in it, let's just go clean it up'," Mr Pearce said. The organisation is using National Volunteer Week, which begins on Monday, to urge more people to donate their time. People like Ms Norris - those who had been positively impacted by volunteering - were often those most likely to want to give back, Mr Pearce said. But many others volunteered just to demonstrate their commitment to their community, he said. Around six million people volunteer through organisations across the nation and millions more volunteer informally in their local communities, according to the organisation's figures. It was cruelly ironic that volunteers were most needed at times of stress - such as during the current cost-of-living crisis or following natural disasters - but those same events could prompt a decline in numbers, Mr Pearce acknowledged. "But it's important to understand with volunteering that it goes both ways," he added. "Communities benefit from volunteers as volunteers benefit from volunteering itself." Ms Norris concurs. "Seeing families and kids laughing and smiling, knowing that they probably had a rough week or couple of days ... that's all that matters."
West Australian
18-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Starlight recipient-turned-volunteer 'pays it forward'
Born with a genetic disorder that nearly killed her, Mikaela Norris spent much of her childhood in hospital. During every stay for treatment connected to her spinal muscular atrophy type 2, she and her older sister would visit the Starlight Room, where volunteers provided games, crafts and a friendly face. "It made hospital a lot more friendly for me and my family," Ms Norris told AAP. "As a kid you're like, 'why am I here and getting poked with needles and I can't get out of bed? That's not really fair' "But then the Starlight captains are there to paint your face and play games with you and you're like, 'oh, it's not too bad, I guess'." Now 23, she still visits the Starlight Room at Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, but as a volunteer to "pay it forward". Ms Norris, who works four hours every Wednesday, says she had been worried about her ability to contribute due to her physical limitations. But having been the child patient in the room, she offers empathy other volunteers can't. "I get quite insecure about my disability and how much I can actually help ... (but) I do see a lot of myself in a couple of the kids that I'm able to meet," she said. "I want to make their hospital experience a little bit more tolerable, it really does make a difference." The way people volunteer has changed in recent years, according to Volunteering Australia chief executive Mark Pearce. Instead of making a formal commitment to certain days and times, there was an emerging trend of people doing more ad-hoc volunteering, he said. "It might be you and I get together and say, 'you know, at that creek down the road, there's got a lot of rubbish in it, let's just go clean it up'," Mr Pearce said. The organisation is using National Volunteer Week, which begins on Monday, to urge more people to donate their time. People like Ms Norris - those who had been positively impacted by volunteering - were often those most likely to want to give back, Mr Pearce said. But many others volunteered just to demonstrate their commitment to their community, he said. Around six million people volunteer through organisations across the nation and millions more volunteer informally in their local communities, according to the organisation's figures. It was cruelly ironic that volunteers were most needed at times of stress - such as during the current cost-of-living crisis or following natural disasters - but those same events could prompt a decline in numbers, Mr Pearce acknowledged. "But it's important to understand with volunteering that it goes both ways," he added. "Communities benefit from volunteers as volunteers benefit from volunteering itself." Ms Norris concurs. "Seeing families and kids laughing and smiling, knowing that they probably had a rough week or couple of days ... that's all that matters."
Perth Now
18-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Starlight recipient-turned-volunteer 'pays it forward'
Born with a genetic disorder that nearly killed her, Mikaela Norris spent much of her childhood in hospital. During every stay for treatment connected to her spinal muscular atrophy type 2, she and her older sister would visit the Starlight Room, where volunteers provided games, crafts and a friendly face. "It made hospital a lot more friendly for me and my family," Ms Norris told AAP. "As a kid you're like, 'why am I here and getting poked with needles and I can't get out of bed? That's not really fair' "But then the Starlight captains are there to paint your face and play games with you and you're like, 'oh, it's not too bad, I guess'." Now 23, she still visits the Starlight Room at Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, but as a volunteer to "pay it forward". Ms Norris, who works four hours every Wednesday, says she had been worried about her ability to contribute due to her physical limitations. But having been the child patient in the room, she offers empathy other volunteers can't. "I get quite insecure about my disability and how much I can actually help ... (but) I do see a lot of myself in a couple of the kids that I'm able to meet," she said. "I want to make their hospital experience a little bit more tolerable, it really does make a difference." The way people volunteer has changed in recent years, according to Volunteering Australia chief executive Mark Pearce. Instead of making a formal commitment to certain days and times, there was an emerging trend of people doing more ad-hoc volunteering, he said. "It might be you and I get together and say, 'you know, at that creek down the road, there's got a lot of rubbish in it, let's just go clean it up'," Mr Pearce said. The organisation is using National Volunteer Week, which begins on Monday, to urge more people to donate their time. People like Ms Norris - those who had been positively impacted by volunteering - were often those most likely to want to give back, Mr Pearce said. But many others volunteered just to demonstrate their commitment to their community, he said. Around six million people volunteer through organisations across the nation and millions more volunteer informally in their local communities, according to the organisation's figures. It was cruelly ironic that volunteers were most needed at times of stress - such as during the current cost-of-living crisis or following natural disasters - but those same events could prompt a decline in numbers, Mr Pearce acknowledged. "But it's important to understand with volunteering that it goes both ways," he added. "Communities benefit from volunteers as volunteers benefit from volunteering itself." Ms Norris concurs. "Seeing families and kids laughing and smiling, knowing that they probably had a rough week or couple of days ... that's all that matters."
