Education and training team report
The quirky quartet from the Education and Training Department are delighted to have this opportunity to publicly celebrate the abilities and achievements both of the Department and of course of all the women who took part in the project throughout the year.
Year by year the team work unceasingly to orchestrate the entire project right through from the planning stages to the actual implementation and running of the project. Strenuous efforts are made by the Department team to ensure that the project is in tune with the needs of our users, that the funding is secured to deliver the project and that as far as is possible the project runs smoothly, a glance at the timetable further on in this report shows the diversity and number of courses available for women to choose from.
At the time of writing two of our pilot projects, B.A.S.E. and “Women and Mental Health” are without funding to continue. We are however exploring every available avenue of funding opportunities to secure the life of these projects as the impact on improved health for the beneficiaries has been highly significant.
Projects such as the above work in concert with our main project and in many instances provide the crucial support an individual requires to successfully complete their chosen course of study.
In order to meet the increasing demand for English as a Second Language classes we provided – 2 ESOL classes a week, conversational English classes, and for more advanced students the Cambridge First Certificate in English. While the English language provision remains high on the agenda for our ethnic minority women we are delighted to see their participation increase in other courses such as computers, Citizenship and personal development also.
Highlights of the year include for the students and the Department were taking part in the Ulster Television series “A sense of Belonging” commissioned by the Community Relations Council. This programme which aired on 1st December 2005 positively highlighted the work we do with minority ethnic women in enabling them to access mainstream educational and training opportunities and promoting their interaction with the majority communities.
This was followed in July this year by a two-day residential for staff and students in the Mournes the theme of which was the promotion of good relations and respect for cultural diversity. Furthermore we are delighted that one local woman has been selected by the B.B.C. to take part in their programme “Zero to Hero”, participant in this programme will receive training provided by the BBC in job search, job placement, and in developing confidence.
Other events have included cultural trips to the Ulster Transport Museum, a cultural morning at the Indian Community Centre, Japanese Cultural Day in our centre.
Not to forget our holistic therapy students who have attended outside events in Olympia, West Belfast and the Waterfront Hall to deliver treatments to the general public. The local community has also benefited from the Centre running these courses as they have been able to receive these treatments in the Centre free of charge on a weekly basis whilst the students are training.
In conclusion we would just like to finish with a genuine well done to all our students, thanks to our funders for supporting the project and we look forward to another busy eventful and fulfilling year.
JOANNE YOUNG, EDUCATION OFFICER
MARTINA MAGEE, TRAINING OFFICER
SATYA ROBERTS, MULTI-CULTURAL WORKER
WENDY HARTLEY, EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR
