Last month, I visited South Westmeath Employment, Education and Training Services (SWEETS), a long-standing member of our Community Education Network (CEN).
SWEETS is a Community Services Project supported through Pobal by Government and European funding. SWEETS offers both accredited and non-accredited programmes.
During the visit, I met with Centre Manager Elizabeth McDonnell, staff, tutors, and learners. Elizabeth told me that SWEETS are all about helping people find what matters to them, build confidence, and find employment or education. Elizabeth said they help learners throughout the entire process and provide supports for those looking to create CVs or even if it is with printing or photocopying.
SWEETS is an incredible organisation that offers training and essential services to their local community. During the visit, I spoke with the learners participating in “Empower 55", a six-week programme focusing on teaching digital, budgeting, and literacy skills.
It was heartwarming to witness the learners’ progress firsthand. While completing an Excel exercise, one learner excitedly exclaimed, “Look, I did it!”
For many participants, digital skills are unfamiliar territory, making each achievement more meaningful.
Learners shared how the programme has positively impacted their lives, fostering independence and self-reliance. One participant remarked on the lack of programmes tailored to older people, highlighting their untapped potential to contribute significantly to society if given more opportunities. This underscores the importance of investing in older adults to prevent social exclusion and ensure inclusivity.
“There should be more courses available to older learners, we have so much more to offer and so many skills,” one participant said.
Elizabeth, who previously participated in a KA1 Erasmus trip as part of our AONTAS consortium, spoke about the inspiration she gained from her experience, learning from her peers both locally and internationally. Elizabeth told me that the Erasmus gave her the confidence to expand SWEETS’ already extensive range of programmes.
"There is definitely an appetite for our programmes, and the demand is there," she noted.
For example, earlier this year, from January to March, Elizabeth secured funding through LEADER to deliver a bespoke nine-week women’s programme, supporting women to become volunteers and support their local communities.
Following its completion, the women, supported by Elizabeth, established their own unique programme, “The D Cups.”
Meeting some of the participants was a privilege.
When asked what the group meant to them, one participant described the group as her “safety and sanity.”
This powerful sentiment reflects the core of community education, providing a supportive environment that nurtures growth and well-being. The group focuses on learning, activities, and fostering connection.
SWEETS also provide a befriending phone service to elderly people in Co Westmeath to ensure that they are not left isolated.
They have a volunteer meal-on-wheels and have secured for their own transport, again ensuring that people in rural areas are not left isolated and that they are getting nutritional meals and an opportunity to see a friendly face. The importance of this cannot be underestimated.
Elizabeth’s parting words to me were: “We are looking at what can work, who it will benefit, and how can we do it.”
We at AONTAS and the CEN can’t wait to see what comes next for SWEETS and are looking forward to future collaborations.