Recent report reveals power of Community Education by Carlow based Services Centre

Carlow based organisation St Catherine’s Community Services Centre is one of the eight community education providers featured in a report launched last week, which revealed that increased and sustained funding for community education could have a transformative effect on the lives of lone parents and their families.  The report was launched by Norma Foley TD, Minister for Education, on behalf of The Beachaire Fund and Community Foundation Ireland

Lone parents with low levels of education face disproportionate risks of poverty and social exclusion (ESRI. 2023)*. Research conducted between June 2022 and July 2023, by the Centre for Effective Services (CES) on behalf of the Beachaire Fund, found that lone parents engaging in community education programmes experienced a transformative impact on their lives. The report, titled ‘The Power of Community Education: Supporting lone parents to fulfil their potential in education, employment, and society”, concluded that by removing barriers to their educational success and personal growth, community education empowers lone parents to create a better future for themselves and their families. The report also highlighted how community education providers are improving employability for lone parents by identifying and responding to skills gaps and local employment opportunities and delivering tailored courses accessible in their local areas. 

Pamela O’ Neill, learner with St Catherine’s Community Services, who has a degree in Social Care and works as the Assistant Coordinator on St Catherine’s Moving On Programme, said of her learning experience:

“I became a mother at the age of 15 and had left secondary school. My social worker suggested I contact St. Catherine's regarding the Moving On Programme for young mothers. I wanted to be a good role model for my daughter and that's why I decided to apply.

“The mentoring and the 1:1 support and encouragement I received from the tutors and the coordinators led me to where I am today.  I was able to show my family and my children that being an early school leaver wasn’t the end of my journey.”

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Education, Norma Foley, TD, said:

“The key role for Community Education in tackling disadvantage and social exclusion of lone parents, is in affording a trusted engagement or re-engagement with education, with a key focus on the learners’ personal wellbeing which is complemented by progression opportunities into further and higher education, training, paid employment, and involvement in the wider community. 

“The report’s findings reach into a whole range of responsibilities across several Departments. Following extensive stakeholder engagement, SOLAS is currently finalising a new Community Education Framework that will ensure a consistent learner approach and aligning Community Education with common Further Education and Training requirements. Meanwhile, the REACH Fund, operated through the Education and Training Boards, supports educationally disadvantaged learners to access and participate in community education.   

“These initiatives align with the report’s overall recommendation to maximise the power of community education to deliver specific policy commitments. It is my true belief that Education is our greatest power so I’m delighted to be at today’s launch and to congratulate all those involved in the journey of the Report on Community Education as a support for Lone Parents.”

For more information, visit https://www.communityfoundation.ie/resource/community-education-as-support-for-lone-parents-research/