In Hospital FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to your frequently asked questions for; General questions, In-person workshops, Online workshops and In-hospital workshops.
General Questions
Is my child eligible to participate with Helium?
Our workshops are designed for children and young people aged 6-16 who are living with a long term physical health condition. Supported conditions include diabetes, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, allergies, heart conditions, asthma, spina bifida, juvenile arthritis, rare or complex conditions and many more.
While we do support many children and young people with Autism and Learning Disabilities or genetic conditions like Down Syndrome, this would be in addition to their physical medical needs. So, for example, a child with Epilepsy who also has ASD or a child with Diabetes who also has Intellectual Disabilities. It is the physical health condition that makes a child eligible to participate with us.
What do you do?
Helium is a national charity supporting children aged 6-16 in Ireland with long term physical health conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, spina bifida, juvenile arthritis, rare conditions, and more. We offer free art workshops in hospital waiting rooms, local communities, and online.
Our workshops create a fun and inclusive space where children and young people can build confidence, make new friends, and explore various artistic skills with guidance from professional artists.
All workshops are free to attend and are supported by dedicated volunteers and on-site medical staff.
Where do you work?
Helium artists regularly work in the following hospitals:
Cork University Hospital with artist Ashleigh Ellis
University Hospital Galway with artist Yvonne Cullivan
University Hospital Limerick with artist Chelsea Canavan
Mayo University Hospital with artist Tom Meskell
Dublin: Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Connolly in Blanchardstown and CHI at Tallaght, in partnership with the CHI Arts in Health Programme. Artist – Peggie McKeon
Our community workshops are held in locations such as Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Mallow, Ennis, Nenagh, with more locations being added all the time!
We also offer an online workshop programme called Distance Creates, designed for young people all across Ireland.
Are the workshops really free?
Yes, our workshops are free, thanks to the generous support of our funders including public bodies, grants and trusts, corporate and individual donors. If you’d like to help support young people living with lifelong physical health conditions, you can donate here.
Can a healthy sibling participate in your workshops?
While we do often have siblings attend workshops, we prioritise places for those who are living with lifelong physical health conditions. We put siblings on the waitlist and if the workshop isn’t full, they can absolutely attend. We will let you know once bookings have closed and we have final numbers.
Do you provide art therapy?
While Helium provide social art experiences that support children and young people to express themselves creatively and enhance wellbeing, we do not provide art therapy.
What is the maximum age for children to join your workshops?
At Helium, we are committed to providing the best support for young people as they grow and transition into adulthood. To stay in line with the national health service (HSE), we will continue running our Youth Programmes for those under 16, following a needs-based approach.
At the same time, we’re working on creating new programmes for 16-17 year-olds, and we’re also looking into possible support for young adults aged 18-25. For those young people who have already participated in our programme:
- They can continue with us until they turn 18, as long as they feel comfortable and the group still feels like the right fit for them.
- We will ensure that all activities, all participants’ behaviour, themes, conversations and ways of expressing identity, are age appropriate and suitable for the developmental stage of younger participants.
Once young people reach the age of 18, they will automatically complete the programme, no matter what stage they are in. Helium is committed to creating a list of other creative workshops and programmes for young adults so these young people can continue their artistic journey elsewhere.
In-Person Workshops
Is there always a medic in the workshop?
Ideally, yes. We make every effort to ensure a trained paramedic is present at every workshop to attend to the medical needs of children, if required.
On occasion a medic may not be available. In this case, we will inform you right away. In such cases, if your child requires emergency medication, we will ask that you remain in the building during the workshop.
My child feels unwell on the morning of a workshop (i.e. fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose etc.). Can they still attend?
No, your child should not attend the workshop if they feel ill. If this happens, please notify Helium immediately by calling 044 9396 960.
My child has been the close contact of a Covid positive person. Can they still attend?
No, your child should not attend the workshop if they are a close contact or have been instructed to self isolate or cocoon. Helium children can be especially vulnerable to infections, please help us protect them by staying at home.
My child has been offered a workshop place at a time that doesn't suit us. Can we attend the other workshop instead?
We aim to place every young person in the most suitable group for them. Morning and afternoon groups are assigned based on your child’s individual needs and the group dynamics. However, we do our best to cater for personal enquiries so do contact us if the allocated time would stop your child from attending.
Is there food and drink at the workshop?
No, there will be no food at the workshop although we are aware some of our participants will need to bring in snacks to manage blood sugar levels. If a participant has a severe nut allergy, all families will be made aware of this prior to the workshop. Children must bring their own water bottle to the workshops.
Online Workshops (Distance Creates)
The Zoom link doesn't work.
Please contact us at hello@helium.ie
We didn't receive the activity sheet.
Please contact us at hello@helium.ie
Do I have to do the activity on the same day it arrives via email?
Throughout the online programme a new activity will arrive in your inbox every Saturday. This can be completed at any time that suits you throughout the week. Some activities like the Post Pal have a time limit and the timings will be shared with you in the activity emails.
Our Post Pal didn't send us anything.
If you signed up to be part of the Post Pal exchange and didn’t receive anything in return please let us know by dropping an email to hello@helium.ie. We will remind your Post Pal, and if there is no reply we will ensure your child receives something in the post from the artist.
We cannot attend the Zoom sessions. Is there a recording?
If you cannot attend the Zoom sessions, you will not miss out on any activity content. Everything you need to do the activities will be included in the art pack and accompanying emails. Both Zoom sessions throughout the programme offer the opportunity to socialise with other participants, play some art based games and share your work with the artist. These sessions are not recorded.
In-Hospital Workshops (Create While You Wait)
Who was the artist we met at the hospital before our appointment?
To get to know our artists better, click below: