BYMICHAEL BRESLIN
Fermanagh College threw open its doors last week for an education extravaganza as part of Adult Learners' Week.
People from across the county, including Marian Tierney from Tempo, flocked to the College's Adult Education open day to find out about courses, the realities of returning to education, the financial support available, plus lots more.
Marian, from Coolcran, had seen the Open day advert in this paper and, with a view to finding out how to use the Internet, went along for one-to-one coaching from Tracy Armstrong, and her volunteers, from Everybody On Line.
A digital inclusion project, EverybodyOnline ran free Internet taster sessions throughout the day, showing people how to use the Internet and how to find out about education and learning opportunities in their area by going online.
Representatives from a host of organisations included The Prince's Trust; Jobs and Benefits office; Fermanagh Rural Community Initiative; EGSA; Fermanagh College itself; the Fermanagh District Policing Partnership; Fermanagh District Council and Grafton Recruitment. All were on hand to provide tailored information and guidance and deliver one to one advice clinics.
This year's Adult Learners Week ran from 19th -25th May. It celebrates learning and promotes opportunities for people to learn new skills.
Gabriel Keown from Fermanagh College stated: "Fermanagh College was delighted to host the Adult Education Open Day, and welcomed the opportunity to work in partnership with a range of organisations in providing information, advice and guidance to adult learners."
Marian Tierney interrupted her hands-on coaching on the use of the Internet to explain why she had come along.
"I have a computer at home. My two teenage girls who use it a lot, and I simply wanted to know what they were doing, so I could do it as well. But, they kept telling me I had no need. I have tried several courses, but they didn't do any good.
"I have MS, I saw the advert in your paper and I thought I would give it one last try, so here I am. At last I am getting somewhere. It is interesting. I find that the Internet comes in useful when I want to look up information about MS".
Marian was full of praise for Tracy and her volunteers, in particular Eileen Drumm ('she's very patient') of Women Making Waves, and for the hands-on, one to one formula as opposed to the class set-up.
"The class environment", Marian explained, "doesn't suit because however much they say, you're doing fine, to me it's just slow and full stop, and you can't help thinking you're holding everybody back".
Another of the volunteers is Edna Simpson who was recently featured in the 'Herald' in our 20 question slot. She is the mother of Bart who was tragically killed in a motorbike accident just over a year ago.
It was since then Edna learnt the basics in computing, and now makes herself available as a volunteer tutor to newcomers. Why?
"I decided that, rather than staying at home feeling sorry for myself, I would go out. I do two or three things voluntarily. I have done a course on befriending and I have signed up, with my good friend, Breda Hickey for the Chit Chat home visiting group which started up in the ARC Healthy Living Centre in Irvinestown and is now starting up in the Lisnaskea, Newtownbutler and Roslea area".
