DPR News
SOAR Project Celebrates Community Mentors
A wonderful evening of celebration took place in The Shtepps on March 6th to recognise the inaugural graduates of the Continuing Professional Development Certificate in Community Based Mentoring.
Led by the SOAR Project, this collaborative initiative was developed by Access UCC, MTU Cork Campus Access Service, Adult and Continuing Education, Cork City Learning Neighbourhoods and Cork Migrant Centre.
Recognising that community-based mentoring already exists this accredited programme provided formal recognition of Mentors, building capacity and equipping them with additional skills and knowledge to support learners accessing education. Community members with a demonstrable experience and commitment to mentoring were nominated by local projects to participate. Sixteen mentors representing each Learning Neighbourhood and Cork Migrant Centre completed the programme.
Uniquely, the Certificate was co-created with community partners and Mentors and is the first of its kind in Ireland. Approved by UCC, Adult and Continuing Education delivered the programme with considerable emphasis on peer learning; surfacing the depth of expertise amongst Mentors. Inputs from Access and FET staff generated point-of-contact links, increase awareness of the full breadth of supports available and consolidate HE and FE - community links.
An evaluation of the programme Certificate in Continuing Professional Development in Community Based Mentoring: An Evaluation of the Pilot Initiative is available at https://www.soarforaccess.ie/community-based-mentoring-pilot-initiative/
For more on this story contact:
Sheila McGovern, SOAR Project Co-Ordinator s.mcgovern@ucc.ie, www.soarforaccess.ie