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Service Improvement with Cooperative Learning

Team from Saint John of God Kildare Services who received their Certificates: Maura Meehan, Karen Hayes and Freddie Kavanagh (seated) with DCU lecturer Orla O'Reilly and their service-based mentor, Ethel Galvin

On Monday 27th June 2011 at the School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Dublin City University twelve students celebrated their achievement of successfully completing a module entitled Service Improvement with Cooperative Learning. This module draws teams of individuals together to work on projects specifically focused on improving and changing services for people with intellectual disability. Four teams associated with St Michael's House, L'Arche, Dublin, Saint John of God Kildare Services and SOS Kilkenny came together to celebrate and receive their certificates.

The celebration began with the Head of School, Ms Catherine McGonagle welcoming the students, their families and friends and representatives from the many services and organisations involved. She spoke of the commitment of each student and congratulated them on their achievement and the importance of continuing their projects within the services. On behalf of the students, Mags Holohan spoke of her experience of undertaking the module at DCU and expressing her wish to engage in further similar opportunities. Deirdre Corby the module coordinator congratulated the students and also took the opportunity to thank all those who had been involved in the development and continued support of the module. Deirdre highlighted the role of the mentors from each service who provided support for the teams within each service. Mr David Kenefick the Deputy CEO from St Michael's House also congratulated the students and spoke of the commitment of St Michaels House to this project and the cooperative learning methodology. In particular, he commented on the strength of having a team of three individuals linked together from one service but representing the different perspectives of staff member, service user and family member or carer. He highlighted the opportunity for all three people to study and work together on an equal footing as a unique element of this module and the impact of the four projects showed how this method can work.

The team from Saint John of God Kildare Services then presented their project which made a valuable contribution to service change. Their Saoirse project aims to provide a flexible extended Day Service and give the opportunity to Service Users to socialise in the community in "Real Time". It will also support people to achieve personal goals and continue to foster links with Key workers from both Day & Residential services. The team continue to work on their project and all agreed that the module had given them the opportunity to effect change and provide new opportunities for people who use the service. They extende thanks to their mentor who provided valuable support to this initiaitve Catherine McGonagle then presented each student with a Certificate to mark their achievement of completing an approved DCU module at level 8 using cooperative learning and welcomed everyone to the Atrium in the School of Nursing and Human Sciences for refreshments.

Further information on this module can be obtained by contacting Deirdre Corby on 01 7008524 or by email at Deirdre.corby@dcu.ie.