7 minute read
‘Just Do It’ - Gillian’s Inspiring Story
By GILLIAN HAMPTON
At the recent IRD Duhallow Recognition of Learning Ceremony, Discover Duhallow’s Tadhg Curtin had the great pleasure of talking to a graduate with an incredibly inspiring story. They explained their journey from beginning a course in IRD Duhallow to completion. It was a great example of not letting anything hold you back. If you put your mind to it, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. We thank Gillian for sharing her story with all of us!
“I moved to Millstreet from the Sunny South East one week before the Covid Lockdown that took place in September 2020. It was a very sad and quiet time to say the least, as I did not know anybody, and found it hard to feel that I had made the correct move to Cork. However, I decided I was here now and had to make the best of it. In September 2023 I saw an advertisement online in the Millstreet Library for a Knit and Knatter group that would be starting up and all were welcome. I suffer from Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia involves fearing and avoiding places or situations that might cause panic and feelings of being trapped. May I say that it is one thing for a person to try go out and join any association in a new environment, but even harder for a person with my condition.
I finally went to the Millstreet Library and met with the Librarian; Ms Gillian Kelleher, who I can only say was so helpful and welcoming. With my heart pounding I decided to try and stay for the class. I was introduced to the people attending, and was sitting beside a Ms Breeda Cronin, who since that date has become a very good friend to me. Without all the help that Breeda has given to me, I would never have found IRD Duhallow or taken any of the courses. The following week Breeda brought an IRD Duhallow Booklet to the Knit and Knatter event and asked me would I be interested in doing any course. Breeda even brought me for a coffee later that day and gave me directions to get to Newmarket and even included a map of how to get there. These little gestures go a long way when a person suffers like I do.
I telephoned and made an appointment to meet with Ciaran Carmody, an IRD Duhallow Development officer, who discussed the course I was interested in. I did warn him of how hard it would be for me to come and sit in a room, however, Ciarán just said to “give it a go, I’m sure you will enjoy it,” and how right Ciarán was. This has been a tremendous help to me and I have gained a lot of confidence from attending IRD Duhallow. I was introduced to the course tutor; Ms Sheila Roche who I can only say was a tonic. The amount of learning together with the laugher which we all shared in the classroom made it easier for me to stay and again I was able to speak in confidence to Sheila and explain that I would possibly need the door of the room to be left open, otherwise it would be extremely difficult to stay. This was never a problem and the door was always open, Ha ha! I must admit it is hard to advise people of my issue but as long as I have been doing the courses, it was only Ciarán and Sheila that knew of my condition. None of the other attendees ever knew.
I am delighted to confirm that I successfully completed the following courses:
• Beginners Computer Course Smart Devices
• Progressive Computers (Intermediate)
For people who do not understand agoraphobia, I can only say that it is so difficult to leave your home, travel to a destination, go into a room where you know nobody, not knowing the area, try and take in what is being taught to you and not want to run home. It is extremely hard and your heart is pounding to the point where you can hardly breath.
Each week I went to class, it became easier and easier, and I can confirm that when I was invited to the Recognition of Leaving Ceremony on Friday 20th June 2025, I was only delighted to accept. Even though I was the last person to be called, I was the proudest person in that room, to walk up on the stage and meet Minister Michael Moynihan, TD and receive my Certificates and the fact that I went to this Ceremony entirely on my own makes it even better for me.
I know how hard it is to go outside my surroundings but I have taken so many steps now that I will be looking forward to joining up for more courses.
I would like to thank everybody who has helped me on my journey, and hopefully my journey may help somebody else.
Thank you to everybody in IRD Duhallow!”
IRD Duhallow is committed to providing access and promoting the value and benefits of lifelong learning. Many learners continue to remain isolated from training and a recurring theme that arises from individuals is how daunting it can be to return to learning as an adult, especially for those that had a negative experience of formal education first time around. Many learners recount the fantastic support they experience in returning to lifelong learning, they and how essential that support is to them to complete the course. Through these positive experiences, individuals are forging new career paths and learning new skills. However, the benefits are not only confined to jobs and skills, they are far wider and can include increased confidence, being able to help their children with their homework/IT and improvements in mental health. IRD Duhallow’s Community Education and Life Long Leaning programmes respond to the needs of the local communities whilst providing a positive learner centred focus. The supportive environment in which community education takes place increases the engagement of socially excluded adult learners and those who have had previous negative experiences of the educational system. For many individuals the community education approach acts as the first step back to education. SICAP funding under Goal 2 is being used to fund a variety of courses commencing in September including: Painting classes, Sewing classes, Beginners Computers, Cookery classes. Skillnet is also providing funding for Microsoft Excel courses for beginners as well as QQI opportunities including Level 5 Early Learning and Care, Level 5 Business Administration and Level 6 Early Childhood Education and Care. Be on the lookout for IRD Duhallow’s upcoming Autumn/Winter brochure for more details.
IRD Duhallow strives to give each individual access to one to one supports enabling them to take up a broad array of learning opportunities throughout their lives.
