Tipperary Community Group Shortlisted for Prestigious Adult Education Award
Age Friendly Roscrea has been shortlisted for an AONTAS STAR Award in the Health and Wellbeing category. The STAR Awards (Showcasing Teamwork, Awarding Recognition) are an awards initiative organised by the national adult learning organisation, AONTAS, to recognise and celebrate the work undertaken by adult learning initiatives throughout Ireland.
Age Friendly Roscrea is a community group that aspires to make growing older in Roscrea inclusive, caring and fun. It’s Care and Connection through Covid initiative has provided an essential service including care packages and health and safety information since March 2020. The group has offered a place, a voice and an ear for everyone during COVID-19. This includes support and friendship services, publications including stories, a song book and group activities. It centres on making Roscrea a place where older people are valued and respected.
Commenting on the shortlist, Niamh O’Reilly, CEO of AONTAS, said: “The STAR awards are an excellent opportunity to celebrate the positive contribution that adult learning initiatives make to individual adult learners, local communities and wider society. The quality of nominations this year has been exceptional. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic adult learning initiatives are continuing to provide essential supports and services to those adult learners most in need. Age Friendly Roscrea is a brilliant example of this and we are delighted to have such a wonderful initiative shortlisted for a STAR award.”
Judging of the STAR Awards comprises two stages: In the first stage, nominated projects are shortlisted by an independent judging panel, whose membership is drawn from the education, business and technology sectors. The second stage gives staff and learners from the shortlisted projects the opportunity to meet with the judging panel online before they make their final decision.
STAR Award winners will be announced during the week of the Festival (1st-5th March 2021) and a celebratory event will also take place to acknowledge the incredible achievements of all of the groups involved.
The STAR Awards form a key part of the AONTAS annual Adult Learners’ Festival. Over the past fifteen years the Festival has become a firm fixture in the Irish adult learning calendar, showcasing the range of learning opportunities available across the country and encouraging adults to try something new. The 2021 Adult Learners’ Festival is AONTAS’ first ever virtual Festival. With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing a programme of events will take place online. A key focus of this year’s Festival is on collaboration and the theme of #BetterTogether.
The STAR Awards are proudly sponsored by the Open University in Ireland and the Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCNNI), the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), Concern Worldwide, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the European Social Fund (ESF). Sponsors will be offering special prizes to all 2021 STAR Award winners.
