My name is Finbarr, and I would like to share my journey through Adult Community Education.
Looking back, education should have been a positive influence in my early years, but unfortunately, that was not the case. In the household I grew up in, education was not valued. Living in a very disadvantaged area during difficult times, and being the eldest son, I was expected to become a wage earner as soon as possible. This was seen as more important than pursuing education. I left school in Ireland at just 12 years old, and in 1986, my family moved to England, where I continued my secondary education.
My time in school in England was extremely challenging. Poor attendance meant I quickly fell behind my peers, leaving me feeling hopeless and disconnected from education. By the age of 15, I left school without any formal qualifications, choosing instead to seek employment.
After leaving school to seek employment, I was fortunate to step into what I considered my dream job—as an apprentice jockey. Having grown up around horses, it was a passion I had always hoped to pursue. Unfortunately, during that time, I began turning increasingly to drug use, which quickly escalated into full-blown addiction. As a result, my dreams of becoming a jockey—and any other hopes I held for the future—slipped away. This struggle defined my life for the next 30 years, a time when hope and dreams felt less like possibilities and more like distant fantasies. It wasn’t until I finally sought help and enrolled in a community day programme that I was able, for the first time in many years, to begin imagining a future filled with possibility.
It wasn’t until many years later, at the age of 47, that education re-entered my life. While attending a community day programme (SOILSE), I was introduced to an Education & Training Officer who saw potential in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself. With their encouragement, I learned about a QQI Level 5 course in Community Development at the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU). But before I could even consider that, I needed to build the most basic of skills—I had never used a computer.
So, I enrolled in a local community class for basic IT. From the moment I walked into my first class, I knew I had made the right decision. I was welcomed with kindness and compassion, free of judgment, and supported exactly where I was at. That safe, encouraging environment gave me the confidence I needed to take my next step.
In September 2024, I began my QQI Level 5 in Community Development at the INOU Learners’ Hub on Townsend Street. Not having been in a classroom since the age of 15, I was nervous, full of fear, and self-doubt. But from day one, the staff reassured me, supported me, and helped rebuild my
confidence. Their guidance and belief in me transformed my outlook—I began to see not only what I could achieve in education, but also what kind of future I could create for myself. Thanks to their guidance and belief in me, I decided to enroll in a four-year BA program in Community Development and Youth Work—a choice I’m truly grateful for. Learning and education are things I deeply value and genuinely enjoy.
Today, for the first time in my life, I truly believe I can achieve my dream: to gain the qualifications that will allow me to work in a community setting, supporting young people in their personal and social development, and empowering communities to create positive social change through collective action.
Thanks to the confidence and guidance I gained throughout my journey, I now feel equipped to support young people in their personal and social development. This has led me to volunteer with the Crosscare Youth Café in Finglas, where I help empower young people to take an active role in running the café. I also volunteer with the Le Chéile Youth Mentoring Service, a cause I am deeply passionate about.
That is why I firmly believe any cuts to Adult Community Education would be a huge mistake. The benefits it brings—strengthening individuals, families, and entire communities—far outweigh any financial savings. Community Education is not just about learning; it is about hope, opportunity, and transformation.
Finbarr Savage
Place of learning: Dublin
