Developing Community Initiatives

Access Service

DCU Access actively engages with local and regional community & voluntary organisations. This work supports DCU’s wider objective of broadening participation in Higher Education while promoting inclusion and diversity.

Most of our programmes are run in collaboration with community partners who are able to identify individuals from under-represented groups who are considering re-entering education.

If you are interested in collaborating on a community project with us, contact: laurence.vanderhaegen@dcu.ie

You can also subscribe to the DCU Newsletter by completing our 'Keep in Touch' form.

Image of traveller wagon to show DCU Access supports Traveller and Roma

Supporting Traveller and Roma Communities

Higher Education participation rates in the Traveller community remain very low compared to the wider population.

Our Traveller and Roma Education Officer works with schools and community groups to increase Traveller and Roma Participation in Higher Education. This work introduces students to campus life and normalises the idea that University is an option for everyone.

Activities include:

On campus activities for Traveller and Roma students from primary and post-primary schools, eg: School talks, sports, art, creative writing, storytelling and campus tours.
Workshops on entry routes, pathways, and support services in DCU.
Individual support to Traveller and Roma senior cycle students interested in progressing to further and higher education.
Workshops for parents/adults include beady pockets, candle making, tapestry, and educational sessions.
Intercultural training with current DCU teaching students, to deepen their understanding of Traveller & Roma history and culture.

For more information, please contact harry.mallon@dcu.ie.

Our Neighbour, Our Friend

DCU Access invites community organisations to collaborate with us to organise an 'Our Neighbour, Our Friend' event in your community.

To date, this event was hosted in Ballymun, Finglas and Balbriggan and was an opportunity to develop links between our Community Outreach team and local agencies working with under-represented groups.

If you would like to partner up to organise this event in your community, please contact laurence.vanderhaegen@dcu.ie

Community Education Forum

Our Community Education Forum has been instrumental in building strong relationships and collaborations with our neighbours in north Dublin. It comprises 21 members from the community, voluntary and statutory sectors in North Dublin city and county.

The Forum meets bi-monthly in DCU and provides a space to discuss and develop adapted initiatives to address educational inequalities. It is a great vehicle for community educators from the greater north Dublin area to share ideas and initiate new collaborative projects with DCU Access.

To learn more about the forum, please contact laurence.vanderhaegen@dcu.ie

Events

If you would like DCU Access to participate in an event in your community or organisation, register your details below and we will do the rest!

Our input may include:

A stand at Local Education Fair or an Open day
A talk at a Community event
A presentation on our DCU programmes & supports