Love to Learn

January 2012 - As part of the Aontas Adult Learning Festival 2012, Soilse will host an event on Wednesday, 22 February, at 10am in Soilse's Drug-Free Programme, basement offices, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7. All are welcome.

The event will feature a presentation by Martin Keane, research manager with the Health Research Board on “The Role of Education in Developing Recovery Capital”. This will be followed by a panel of former Soilse participants who will share their learning experiences. Visitors will also have a chance to meet Soilse staff and tour the facilities.

Please let us know if you plan to attend by calling Aisling on 872 4535 or emailing aisling.geoghegan@hse.ie.

Soilse has won Aontas awards on three occasions for its use of adult education methodologies to confront and overcome addiction. We have been shortlisted for the 2012 Aontas Awards, the winners of which will be announced at the STAR awards ceremony on February 20^th at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.

Research launched

October 2011 - A research study into the role and benefits of education in drug rehabilitation and recovery from addiction was launched on 26 October. The research is based on interviews with 20 former Soilse participants.

Media release

Research report

Another win for Soilse

February 2011 – For the third time in five years, Soilse has won a Dublin Region STAR award. This year’s award was for Soilse’s Service User Involvement initiative which aims to consult participants about their needs and vision for the Soilse programme and to define their issues of concern.

The STAR awards are co-ordinated by Aontas, the National Adult Learners Association, as part of its annual Adult Learners’ Festival. They recognise the work undertaken by adult learning projects throughout Ireland and celebrate the positive contribution these projects make to society, local communities and the economy.

Soilse won the Dublin Region STAR award in 2010 and 2007 and got a ‘special commendation’ in 2009.

Soilse wins 2010 STAR Award

February 2010 - Soilse’s Career Guidance Service is the winner of the 2010 Dublin Regional STAR Award. STAR, which stands for ‘showcasing teamwork and awarding recognition’, celebrates outstanding, learner-centred adult and community education projects which demonstrate high levels of collaboration amongst participant groups. The awards are given by Aontas, the National Association of Adult Education.

In recognising Soilse’s Career Guidance Service, the judges said the career guidance counsellors work as facilitators in partnership with the learner to plan career goals and help overcome obstacles to progression. It noted the extreme social exclusion experienced by Soilse participants.

Soilse a finalist in 2009 ACE Awards

March 2009 – Soilse’s Return to Learning Project was a finalist in the 2009 EBS/NALA Adult Continuing Education (ACE) Awards. The project, which was developed by Soilse in conjunction with NUI Maynooth, supports recovering drug addicts in their progression to third level education. The ACE awards recognise innovative projects that help adults improve their literacy and numeracy skills with grants for research into new approaches to literacy learning for adults.

Soilse gets 'special commendation' in 2009 STAR Awards

January 2009 - Soilse's innovative Return to Learning Programme has been highly commended by Aontas, the National Association of Adult Education. The programme received a special commendation in the Dublin City and County category of the Aontas Star Awards.

The STAR awards showcase teamwork and award recognition to adult learners and the organisations which support them. The Return to Learning Programme was a pilot educational progression programme. Soilse designed it to help people recovering from drug addiction and hoping to return to further education or training to develop the skills and confidence they would need to achieve their ambitions.

FETAC commends Soilse programme

September 2008 - The Further Education Training Awards Council (FETAC) has praised Soilse's work in addressing the educational needs of participants and in identifying progression routes to further training and employment. In a review of Soilse's educational programme in June 2008, FETAC paid tribute to Soilse's efforts in maintaining and improving the quality of our programmes and services. The review highlights both good practice areas and some areas for improvement. Soilse is a registered FETAC centre and provides a range of educational modules. Click here to read the 2007 FETAC Soilse Programme Evaluation (full FETAC review) and the 2008 FETAC quality monitoring report.

Pilot Return-to-Learning programme a success

September 2008 - A 16-week, pilot return-to-learning programme (RLP) for departing Soilse participants has ended with most deciding to proceed to further education. Twelve participants enrolled in the practical skills programme and eight completed the course. Of these, six have enrolled in Leaving Certificate or Post-Leaving Certificate programmes while one has begun the Merchants Quay/UCD diploma in addiction counselling.

The high completion rate underlines the importance of a supportive, transition programme for people in early recovery who may not be ready for a full-time academic programme or even a college access course. Participant feedback was that the Soilse RLP provided a realistic view of college life, helped them to recognise the skills needed to succeed in education, taught them how to cope with the pressures of assignments and deadlines and, in some cases, spurred them to change direction and choose a different course.

The core modules were sociology and English but the course also included study skills, essay-writing, referencing, reading techniques, use of the library, computer skills, typing, using the internet, personal development and recovery supports. It was run with the support of NUI Maynooth and is currently being evaluated.

Soilse wins STAR Award

December 2007 - Soilse has scooped a Award from AONTAS, the National Association of Adult Education, for its use of adult education to help recovering drug users achieve an independent, drug-free lifestyle. The STAR awards recognise best practice in adult education. Soilse received the award in the Dublin City and County Wide Reach category.

Bríd Connolly, vice-president of AONTAS and chair of the judging panel said the awards highlight both the individual and the community benefits of adult education. "We were looking for projects which emphasised teamwork and partnership, and that were developed around the real needs of adult learners."