Nomination Guidelines

Who can nominate a child?

Any member of a visitation conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul can nominate a child for a holiday in the Sunshine House. Representatives from other agencies, social workers or teachers/HSCL in DEIS schools are also welcome to nominate children for holidays at Sunshine House.Any member of a visitation conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul can nominate a child for a holiday in the Sunshine House. Representatives from other agencies, social workers or teachers/HSCL in DEIS schools are also welcome to nominate children for holidays at Sunshine House.
Please note that we do not accept nominations directly from parents or children.

What are the eligibility criteria?

There are only two. That a child will benefit from a holiday at Sunshine House, and that the child’s date of birth is within our age range.

What are the age requirements?

Age Range: 7-10 Years of Age

Please respect our age range. We find older children quickly become bored with the activities at Sunshine House; children of a younger age are very demanding on resources.

On occasion, we cater for children marginally outside the age bracket specified, where family circumstances dictate. If you are aware of SPECIAL CASES, please write a brief note with the child’s application. We will take special circumstances into account when making final selection of children for holidays.

Behavioural problems

Children you work with may have behavioural problems; you may be reluctant to nominate them as a result. We have considerable experience dealing with young people from troubled backgrounds, and usually give children the benefit of the doubt, allowing them at least one chance to holiday with us. However, please include a note with the child’s application if you are aware of particular behavioural issues. If you want to discuss with us any aspect of a child’s behaviour or suitability before nominating them, we are always happy to give advice.

What children can come?

Children who went to Sunshine last year:

If they are still the right age, we will automatically re-nominate them for our 2020 holiday season. You don’t need to send them in again.

New children (within our age range):

Please nominate ALL other eligible children in the area where you work that will definitely turn up for the holiday. There is no limit to the number of nominations you can forward to us.

Key Dates in Nomination Process

January- April
Nominations open

May-August
Sunshine Holiday Season