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WARRENMOUNT COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTRE MILL STREET, DUBLIN 8 Getting started......1995

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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.

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

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

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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 peoples circumstances can be changed by people themselves.

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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.

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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

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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.

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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

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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