SETU presented 253 family carers with academic awards at its Carlow campus on Friday, 15 November.
The ceremony was held in celebration of the participants of the ‘Supporting Family Carers Across Ireland’ project, delivered by SETU in partnership with Family Carers Ireland (FCI) and funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The ceremony recognised the dedication and hard work of individuals who have balanced caregiving responsibilities with academic achievement.
The project is a pioneering initiative by SETU that provides carers with the opportunity to develop skills, enhance their knowledge, and gain academic qualifications, all while continuing their vital caregiving roles at home. Courses were delivered online and on a part-time basis, making it easier for participants to balance their responsibilities. Students gained knowledge in a range of subjects such as advocacy, communication, resilience, and social care, providing them with skills that benefit their existing roles.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, commended the graduates for their perseverance and determination. She said, "Balancing the demands of caregiving with the pursuit of your course work is no small feat. Today, we celebrate your strength, resilience, and the invaluable contributions you make to both your families and society. You have demonstrated remarkable dedication to your studies, proving that caregiving and learning can go hand in hand.”
Prof. Campbell added, “I want to thank SETU’s Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning and its project team, led by Nicola McEntee, for their hard work and commitment to the ‘Supporting Family Carers Ireland’ project. Special thanks also to our partners at Family Carers Ireland for their invaluable support and insight in achieving the project goals."
Caroline Poole, National Lead for Partnerships and Innovation at FCI commented, “Family Carers Ireland are delighted to welcome the opportunity to introduce third level education opportunities to family carers who traditionally would not otherwise have been able to access a pathway into Higher education.”
Nicola McEntee, Project Coordinator at SETU, said, “The provision of accredited programmes to family carers recognises the invaluable contribution they make to Irish society. Through our delivery of the project, we can provide family carers with a unique experience of higher education that is not often accessible to them. This group has varied and complex needs. For this reason, it is so important to work alongside family carers and the national organisation, Family Carers Ireland, to better understand those needs. From there, we have succeeded in adapting SETU’s offering in an innovative way that has profound impact on the individuals involved.”
Delivering a heartfelt speech on her experience of participating in the project, Michael G. Kenny, a family carer from Kerry, said, “This experience has empowered me to grow both as a carer and as an individual. It has been challenging, but incredibly rewarding, and today, I am proud to be recognised for my achievements.”
Since 2022, the project has delivered certificate courses to 607 family carers across Ireland. Through HEA funding, course fees were covered for participants, ensuring that financial barriers to family carers accessing education were removed.
Family carers were enabled to access higher education in a flexible, agile, and innovative way as bespoke programmes were delivered online.
To learn more about the ‘Supporting Family Carers Across Ireland’ project, contact Nicola McEntee on [email protected]
Photo credits: Dylan Vaughan Photography