Writing by Dr Kate Smyth, Strategic Comms Officer
The STAR Awards recognises the very best in adult learning in Ireland. We celebrate and acknowledge the incredible adult learning initiatives going on across the country, in support of learners, as part of the AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival.
This year, there were 24 fantastic shortlisted initiatives, and on Friday 8th March in Croke Park in Dublin, we announced seven fantastic winners. But everyone involved deserves to be recognised for the wonderful work and learning they do every day. Thanks to everyone who joined us, and all who support the event every year.
The STAR Awards shortlist is divided into five categories of adult learning initiatives that support people with:
The STAR Awards is judged by an independent panel of educators, policymakers, adult learners, and other adult learning experts.
We were delighted that our host, AONTAS Chair John D'Arcy, was joined by comedian and radio presenter PJ Gallagher, who spoke with humour, humility, and kindness about his experience of dropping out of school, finding a course - in acting - that suited him, his struggles with his mental health, and his radio show.
PJ said that, with the radio show - Morning Glory on Radio Nova, with co-host Jim McCabe - they want to let people know that "no matter how crap things are, it's okay to get up again in the morning."
We also had brilliant entertainment from the Dublin Uklele Collective, who even got the audience up and dancing!
In recognition of International Women's Day and the Family and Care Referendum, Sinead Mahon, Coordinator of Women’s Collective Ireland, Ronanstown spoke about the importance of supporting women and combatting gender inequality.
"Women are incredible," she said. "Celebrate the woman before us, beside us, and in the future."
We also had a brilliant contribution from adult learner and Belmayne community activist Michelle McGoldrick, who spoke powerfully of the impact of community education.
"Community education has helped shape the person I am today. When I was at my lowest, it was community education that helped me the most."
Speaking to all the adult and community education groups, she said: "You're the glue that holds society together."
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ADULT LEARNING INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT LEARNER VOICE - SPONSORED BY QUALITY AND QUALIFICATIONS IRELAND (QQI)
The Pathfinders initiative enables people with autism to progress to mainstream learning that matches their interests and abilities. The initiative helps grow learners’ communication skills, concentration, imagination, organisational skills and daily routine in an adult learning centre.
ADULT LEARNING INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT HEALTH AND WELLBEING - SPONSORED BY MENTAL HEALTH IRELAND
The Social Therapeutic Horticulture Programme provides a therapy through horticulture in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, in partnership with the HSE. Service users are in active addiction and are not working or engaging in any other training. It is facilitated by a training Social Therapeutic Horticulturist, a key worker, and a counsellor assigned by the Substance Misuse Service. Service users work in the greenhouses and each has an individual care plan.
ADULT LEARNING INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT THIRD-LEVEL ACCESS AND ENGAGEMENT
Established in 2011, the ComMUniversity is a programme where people can attend higher education courses in the familiar surroundings of their local libraries. This programme allows them to access a course in the secure and familiar environment of the local library, with the goal of widening participation in higher education, especially for people from communities that are under-resourced or people who have not had the opportunity or encouragement to go to university before.
ADULT LEARNING INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT SOCIAL INCLUSION - SPONSORED BY OPEN COLLEGE NETWORK NORTHERN IRELAND (OCN NI)
This initiative is aimed at migrants who are parents of children attending DEIS schools in Limerick city. DEIS schools help children and young people who are at risk of or who are experiencing educational disadvantage. There are children from 64 countries across the five schools involved in this initiative. The aim of the initiative is to create a safe space for people to practise their language skills.
ADULT LEARNING INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION - SPONSORED BY SAOLTA
The Threads Project brought GCE to a community organisation, using the arts. It featured a drama group, formed in 2021, that was concerned with social justice issues. Their interests were inspired by the SDGs that had an impact on members’ lives. Given that the group were all living in the North-east inner city in Dublin, issues included poverty, crime, and social disintegration.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD FOR SHARED ISLAND AND PEACE BUILDING INITIATIVES - SPONSORED BY THE OPEN UNIVERSITY IN IRELAND
From the Women’s Resource and Development Agency, the Mas project (Maternal Advocacy and Support) provides maternal mental health support to women who are pregnant and/ or who have children up to the age of 3.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR A EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND (ESF) INITIATIVE - SPONSORED BY THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND
This course from KWETB provides the skills and knowledge for learners to confidently pursue employment in a process maintenance technician role in a manufacturing setting. It prepares learners to become more competitive in the employment market or to confidently progress on to further and higher education.
The STAR Awards is proudly supported by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), SAOLTA, Mental Health Ireland, Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCN NI), the Open University in Ireland, and the European Social Fund.
The AONTAS team are grateful to everyone who got involved with this year's Adult Learners' Festival. Thank you all!
Find out more about the AONTAS Adult Learners' Festival here.