DCU in the Community annual report 2019-2020

DCU IN THE COMMUNITY: TEN YEARS ON

In 2020 we celebrated 10 years since the re-opening of DCU in the Community in Ballymun. We welcomed our first students in September 2010 and the decade since the centre’s re-launch displays a strong positive balance sheet in all of our activities. DCU in the Community is firmly established on the local community map, well-networked among local community and voluntary sector organisations, and enjoys an ever increasing buy-in among DCU staff and students.

Between 2010 and 2020 we have:

— Delivered nearly 100 accredited and non-accredited learning programmes for local residents (college preparation, digital media, social studies, psychology, health and wellbeing, personal finance, mathematics, and sports and fitness) with a majority of the programmes delivered in partnership with local community and voluntary organisations

— Catered for over 1,500 community learners and adults returning to education

— Provided 130-180 hours annually of educational guidance and mentoring for adults returning to education – both in-house students and external clients

— Assisted with more than 200 applications to full time further and higher education for mature students and adult learners from socio-economically disadvantaged areas

— Assisted with over 200 student funding applications

— Co-led the development of StudentVolunteer.ie – a national higher education student volunteering management system

— Linked more than 1,000 DCU students from across DCU Schools and Faculties with volunteering and service learning opportunities

We would like to thank all of our university and community partners - without their support, advice, and friendship we would not be able to celebrate this important milestone. Our special thanks goes to all our former staff members.

 

DCU in the Community Annual Report 2019-2020