Finalist

Community Engagement Initiative of the Year Award

Cork Learning Neighbourhoods: Adult Continuing Education, University College Cork

Finalist of the Community Engagement Initiative of the Year Award

University College Cork - Ireland (Republic)

"Empowering communities through lifelong learning"


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Summary

The Cork Learning Neighbourhoods initiative aims to benefit communities across Cork City by taking the UNESCO UIL Learning City concept to the neighbourhood level. The programme aims to assist local networks and organisations to showcase and develop lifelong learning opportunities. It offers an incentive to local organisations to develop learning opportunities and recognises their efforts and good practice. The programme involves many activities including raising awareness of opportunities for learning, developing new initiatives, supporting promotional activities, offering support and guidance to sustain activities of the learning neighbourhood.

The Cork Learning Neighbourhoods programme was established by partners across the city including Cork City Council, Cork Education and Training Board, University College Cork and Munster Technological University. These partners support the Learning Neighbourhoods through a steering committee.

There are currently six Learning Neighbourhoods in Cork City. All of these neighbourhoods face educational disadvantage as the populations have lower levels of third level qualifications in contrast to other areas in the city. Through the learning neighbourhoods programme, local neighbourhoods form their own coordination groups that celebrate existing learning as well as providing new learning opportunities for their communities. The coordination groups work with local residents, organisations and businesses in the area to provide fun and diverse learning opportunities in the local area.

The Cork Learning Neighbourhoods programme has created a framework to allow a symbiotic relationship between multiple stakeholders at multiple levels where a shared vision and approach to learning through celebration, recognition and validation of existing learning and new learning is central.

Key People


Dr. Seamus O‘ Tuama
Director
Adult Continuing Education,  University College Cork



Dr. Siobhan O‘ Sullivan
Lecturer
School of Applied Social Studies,  University College Cork



Norma Browne
Coordinator of Cork Learning Neighbourhoods
Adult Continuing Education,  University College Cork



Sheila McGovern
Project Manage
Access Plus,  University College Cork



Denis Barrett
Coordinator
Cork Learning City,  Cork City Council


Acknowledgements

The Learning Neighbourhood programme is supported by key partners including Cork City Council, Cork Education and Training Board and Munster Technological University.

Images

Mayfield Plants Positivity Campaign Pic 1

Mayfield Plants Positivity Pic 2

Togher 'Faces of Learning' exhibition

Launch of 'Mayfield Neighbourhood University' programme featured on the Irish Times Newspaper

'How to Build a Learning Neighbourhood' poster designed by Ballyphehane Learning Neighbourhood

Mayfield Learning Neighbourhood Committee Members

South Parish Learning Neighbourhood Lifelong Learning Festival event

Anne Edelstein, member of The Lantern Community Project's Crochet Group marvels at her wonderful portrait, now on show at Nano Nagle Place as part of the South Parish Learning Neighbourhood 'Faces of Learning' Exhibition

The unveiling of the Glen Learning Neighbourhood Flag

Ballyphehane Learning Neighbourhood Flag

A number of UCC lecturers’ contributions to the Learning Neighbourhoods programme were recognised in a ceremony at Cork City Hall

Members of the South Parish Learning Neighbourhood committee attending an SDG Workshop in May 2022

Students from St Marys on the Hill primary school, Knocknaheeny attending a graduation event at UCC on completion of the STEAM programme run in conjunction with the University.

Participants on the Mayfield 'Neighbourhood University' programme enjoying a tea break.

Community Mentors poster project

The Glen Learning Neighbourhoods committee held a recognition event in October 2021 to acknowledge the contribution of local community worker, Ann Long on lifelong learning in The Glen area.

Portrait of Lifelong Learner, Liam O' hUigin, on display in Ballyphehane 'Faces of Learning' exhibition

IMPACT STORY

Impacting lifes

“The Learning Neighbourhood has given me a sense of my true self and with the help of the courses I have been given the tools to follow many of my own dreams”. Community respondent, (E. Nash, 2020).

The above statement, taken from the research report, ‘Cork Learning Neighbourhoods: Documenting the Impact on communities and Organisations in Cork City and Exploring Current and Sustainable Models of Practice’, by Eamon Nash, undertaken in 2020 highlights the impact of the Learning Neighbourhoods on communities in Cork. This community respondent detailed the impacts of lifelong learning in the Learning Neighbourhood on their personal life, a touching narrative which is echoed throughout our learning neighbourhood communities. The report findings emphasises that participants engaged with the Learning Neighbourhoods experienced a variety of positive impacts including social capital, identity, cultural human capital and mental health impact.

In April 2022, The Glen Learning Neighbourhood hosted the ‘Faces of Learning’ portrait campaign which celebrates wonderful learners of all ages in the neighbourhoods and encourages people to engage in lifelong learning through a photographic exhibition. A local learner, Stephen Hayes who participated in the exhibition described the significant impact of the Learning Neighbourhoods in his life “The Learning Neighbourhoods has been the awakening of my mind to knowledge at my own pace, the benefits from these programs can't be measured in time, because everyone is different in life, but for me going forward it has opened doors and for that I am for ever grateful, Thank you.”

In 2022 Mayfield Learning Neighbourhood developed a ‘Neighbourhood University’ programme which is a seven week programme which provides participants with a taste of a variety of third level subjects in a community setting with input from lecturers from local universities. A local man, Eddie H. participated in the course and described the positive impact that the course has had on his life . “The course has been amazing, I never felt that I would be accepted in a university setting but this course has made me realise that it is accessible. The subjects have been interesting and the lecturers have been so welcoming. After experiencing this taster course, I have decided to study architecture in the future. This course has made me feel part of the community.”

LEARNINGS

Lessons learned

The Learning Neighbourhoods initiative maintains sustainability due to the renewal process which takes place on an annual basis. This process invites new members to engage in the Learning Neighbourhood coordination groups. The invite is open to all residents, organisations and local businesses. The impact of the inclusion of local businesses in our learning neighbourhoods has been surprising as businesses would not be typically viewed as a ‘traditional’ learning spaces. The local florist has been extremely active in our learning neighbourhoods and has been a significant partner in sustainability initiatives in the local area over the past years. This has highlighted the need to maintain inclusion as a key aspect of the Learning Neighbourhoods initiative.

The power of community mentors has also been recognised as instrumental in the success of the Learning Neighbourhoods. In each of the Learning Neighbourhoods, it is clear that leadership and community-based mentoring exists informally in our communities. Individual community members often provide leadership, a positive and encouraging influence on others and in doing so provide critical support to prospective and progressing students in their communities.

The Learning Neighbourhoods in partnership with University College Cork Access office SOAR project and Adult Continuing Education recognised the need to formally recognise and accredit the mentors and developed the accredited Community-Based Mentoring Programme. This programme offers formal recognition to mentors, building their capacity and equipping them with the skills, theory and knowledge to be an effective mentor in their community. The course was developed in partnership with community partners and mentors. The first cohort of mentors completed their CPD in Community Mentoring in 2021. It has been important for the Learning Neighbourhood programme to recognise and nurture leadership of people within the communities who empower and lead from within.

FUTURE PLANS

What's coming?

• There are currently six designated Learning Neighbourhoods in Cork City. We aim to develop and include two additional learning neighbourhoods in Cork in the next six-month period.
• Within the next year, Cork Learning Neighbourhoods team are planning to partner and collaborate on lifelong learning initiatives in communities in Derry/Strabane in Northern Ireland. These projects will be a significant example of cross boarder collaboration and will acknowledge and celebrate relationships between Cork and Derry/Strabane Learning Cities.
• It is hoped that the ‘Neighbourhood University’ programme be rolled out in other learning neighbourhoods to create a positive link with universities in the communities.
• We plan to support our community mentors to develop and define their own pathway within their communities and to create designated safe spaces for the mentors to work.
• In May 2022, we commenced workshops based on assistive technology and universal design for learning in Mayfield Learning Neighbourhoods. For next term we plan to expand this workshop to all of the communities that wish to avail of this.
• We plan to ensure that the UN Sustainable Development Goals are embedded in the heart of project planning.
• We aim to support our learning neighbourhood communities to participate in the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival which will take place in Spring 2023.


KEY STATISTICS

400

Over 400 people attended the recent Lifelong Learning Expo in the Togher Learning Neighbourhood which took place in April 2022. The Expo was run to showcase learning opportunities and services available to the Togher community including sports clubs, educ

500

There were over 500 attendees at the ‘Faces of Learning’ Photographic Exhibition events across The Glen, South Parish, Togher, Knocknaheeny, Mayfield and Ballyphehane communities over the past years. The aim of the campaign is to celebrate the wonderful l

12

12 students registered for our recent Neighbourhood University Taster programme. This programme was a pilot initiative which commenced in April 2022 to include the local community in a third level programme.

15

15 community representatives attended an Assistive Technology for Learning Workshop in Mayfield Learning Neighbourhood in May 2022.

25

25 students are registered on a Diploma in Youth and Community programme in Knocknaheeny which was developed by the Knocknaheeny Learning Neighbourhood. The programme delivery was a partnership between Knocknaheeny Learning Neighbourhoods, Cork City Partn

30

30 participants engaged in our South Parish Learning Neighbourhood ‘Sustainable Practices Trail’. This event was a guided tour of local organisations to learn about their sustainable practices. The tour included a visit to a Beehive in the local school, t

16

16 community mentors completed the CDP in Community Based Mentoring module In 2021 which was a collaboration between UCC and MTU.

20

The ’Mayfield Plants Positivity’ campaign was developed to provide positivity in the Mayfield neighbourhood during the pandemic. The group received pots from a local organisation and filled them with flowers/plants from Beech Hill Garden Centre. A sign wi

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