Pieta and Darkness Into Light
Pieta
Pieta was founded in Dublin in 2006 and was established to provide free, accessible support to people affected by suicide and self-harm. Pieta now has over 20 centres nationwide with over 300 staff and offers a variety of supports to people impacted by suicide and self-harm, completely FREE of charge.
Vision, Mission, Values
Their Purpose
Pieta exist to reduce suicide and self-harm, and to support those who have been impacted by suicide and self-harm
Their Mission
Pieta provide professional counselling, support and education to those experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviour and to those impacted by suicide and self-harm.
Their Values
Hope is at the heart of what Pieta do, guiding their values and behaviours, and at their core they believe in the following:
- Respect: Acknowledging the inherent worth in every person and treating everyone with dignity, courtesy, and consideration.
- Compassion: Demonstrating care, kindness, and a willingness to understand others' experiences and perspectives. Adopting a people-centred approach that is free from judgement.
- Transparency: Communicating openly and honestly with integrity and taking responsibility for one's actions and decisions, while being held accountable.
- Collaboration: Working together in partnership, seeing each person as one who is resourced to play their part in achieving positive outcomes.
How Carlow Volunteers Can Help Out
In 2009, in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, 400 people set off on the inaugural Darkness Into Light 5km walk to raise funds for Pieta. From small beginnings, the movement has continued to grow, and now there are over 150,000 participants in Darkness Into Light each year. The participants begin the walk in the darkness of night, and will finish the walk as the dawn sun rises.
Each year the walk provides an opportunity for people to connect with their local community and to bring hope to people who have been impacted by suicide. Dedicated volunteers are essential year on year to make the event a success and to help us all continue to raise awareness and hope in the global fight against suicide and self-harm.
Darkness Into Light 2025 will take place at 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This inspiring event symbolises hope, as communities come together to support mental health and prevent suicide. Volunteers will need to be available from 3am, and will be placed at various locations along the route to provide directions and help to the participants.
Irish Cancer Society
The Irish Cancer Society
The Irish Cancer Society consists of patients, survivors, volunteers, supporters, health and social care professionals and researchers, coming together to form a community that aims to transform the experiences and outcomes of people affected by cancer through our advocacy, support services and research.
The Goals of The Irish Cancer Society
Fewer preventable cancers
The Irish Cancer Society aims to influence Government policy and laws so that everyone has the best chance of living a life free from cancer. They also invest in research that uncovers new ways to prevent cancer, as well as providing advice to those who need it.
More cancers caught early
The Irish Cancer Society seeks to give people the best chance of surviving cancer by leading advocacy campaigns, innovating services, funding research, and working in partnerships that will eliminate the survival gap between Ireland and other European countries.
World-class cancer treatment for everyone
The Irish Cancer Society lobbies Government so that all cancer patients are given timely access to treatments that will work best for them. They also help to reduce the fear of cancer through their support services and investment in research that has the potential to transform lives.
Living well after treatment
The Irish Cancer Society aims to ensure the emotional, physical, financial and practical needs of those who have undergone cancer treatment are met. They provide services that will directly support people, so they are better able to cope with the impact of cancer, and undertake research that will help improve cancer patients’ quality of life.
Holistic support for people dying from cancer
The Irish Cancer Society helps people dying from cancer by ensuring they have access to the full range of supports needed by them and their families. They drive changes from Government that will mean more people can die at home, and prioritise research that guides the development of the organisations own supports and informs their advocacy to improve public services for people dying from cancer.
How Carlow Volunteers Can Help Out
The Irish Cancer Society has a number of ways for volunteers to help out. From the perspective of the Carlow Volunteer Centre, the most common avenue is to volunteer to help fundraising during Daffodil Day.
