Transforming Communities ProjectThis Project is funded by the Big Lottery's Live and Learn Programme which aims to increase learning opportunities and promote well-being among Northern Ireland's most disadvantaged communities. The aim of the Transforming Learning Communities Project is to deliver a range of educational and support services to Migrant and Traveller communities; to reduce prejudice and to empower the target group by improving their skills. The College is currently providing pre-ESOL, pre-Essential Skills and accredited and non-accredited programmes across the Southern region.
The Project is delivered through a partnership which includes the Southern Regional College (the lead partner), Trademark (the core partner) and other Community and Voluntary groups.
The Transforming Learning Communities Project has two distinct areas of work:
- Travellers
- Migrant Workers.
The focus of the Traveller strand is Pre-Essential Skills and Health and Wellbeing. In 2011 over 100 students from Traveller communities across the Southern region enrolled on courses including First Aid, Food Hygiene, IT, Driving Theory, Hair and Beauty, Personal Development and Child Protection.
The focus of the Migrant Strand is pre-ESOL and in 2011 SRC delivered 36 pre-ESOL courses to 390 learners across the southern region. A further 29 students successfully completed Food Hygiene & IT programmes.
The project has also delivered training in anti-racism and anti-discrimination to SRC staff and public and community agencies across the southern region and held clinics providing advice and guidance to all our students.
