WARRENMOUNT COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTRE MILL STREET, DUBLIN 8 Getting started

Mission Statement...we aim to meet the needs of the local community by providing an open and friendly Centre so that learning can take place in a relaxed atmosphere. Our objectives are to build confidence and develop skills through community education.

Mission Statement (2) We do this through a learning style that is person- centred, participative and informal.

Mission Statement (3) Through this we hope to give people a voice enabling them to create a better society.

Key factors inherent in the approach to the work of the Centre are: The Centre is committed to an innovative approach to community-based adult education. This approach is based on a social justice perspective and is driven by the real needs of the local people. The Centre firmly believes that people’s circumstances can be changed by people themselves.

Community … The Centre is above all a community of learners. Teachers and participants interact and are interdependent. They contribute equally to the life of the Centre and the local community.

Who are our learners? Generally from local area of Dublin 8 Adults of all ages 30 + nationalities (2013 Annual Report) Second chance learners (leaving cert level or less)

Classes we provide... FETAC / QQI - increasingly dominant Levels 2-5  ICT - Level 3 and 4, General Learning - Level 3 and 4, Childcare - Level 5 Community Education – usually non-accredited  Craft, Local History, Gardening, Cookery Funding for non-accredited classes becoming more difficult to access

Classes.. An overview Small Group Sizes Personal Attention Informal approach by staff and tutors Can be a soft introduction for people nervous about returning to education For many people they have not been to a class since school. (20 / 30 years) Early school leavers – variety of reasons

Volunteers … add to the vibrancy … Volunteers work with learners one-to-one or in small groups Literacy  Buddy Readers Online learning  Computer Buddy Self-directed Learning Open Learning Space

Looking outwards … EU Projects Adult Learning Project: Grundtvig 2 Programme ScotlandAustria Estonia Finland PortugalMallorca Ireland “Exploring Routes to Learning”

Definition The AONTAS Community Education Network defines Community Education as: Community education is a process of personal and community transformation, empowerment, challenge, social change and collective responsiveness. It is community-led, reflecting and valuing the lived experiences of individuals and their community. Through its ethos and holistic approach community education builds the capacity of groups to engage in developing a social teaching and learning process that is creative, participative and needs-based. Community education is grounded on principles of justice, equality and inclusiveness.

Development over the years NCVA – FETAC – QQI Developing Quality Assurance for FETAC Accreditation Funding challenges through years of austerity Company Limited by guarantee Policies and Procedures/planning/ evaluating Professionalisation of sector Developing a robust volunteer support Governance Code/ Charities Act

Challenges for the Future Ensure we retain a dynamic sector Embrace professionalisation Support tutors in continuous professional development Facilitate trainee tutors in achieving the teaching experience required by Teaching Council Avail of support systems already in place at a national level – AONTAS, NALA... Maintain enthusiasm – link with Adult Learners Festival, Adult Literacy Week, European Partnerships Uphold the focus on the centrality of learners in community education