“The Learning Neighbourhood has given me a sense of my true self and with the help of the courses I have been given the tools to follow many of my own dreams”. Community respondent, (E. Nash, 2020).

The above statement, taken from the research report, ‘Cork Learning Neighbourhoods: Documenting the Impact on communities and Organisations in Cork City and Exploring Current and Sustainable Models of Practice’, by Eamon Nash, undertaken in 2020 highlights the impact of the Learning Neighbourhoods on communities in Cork. This community respondent detailed the impacts of lifelong learning in the Learning Neighbourhood on their personal life, a touching narrative which is echoed throughout our learning neighbourhood communities. The report findings emphasises that participants engaged with the Learning Neighbourhoods experienced a variety of positive impacts including social capital, identity, cultural human capital and mental health impact.

In April 2022, The Glen Learning Neighbourhood hosted the ‘Faces of Learning’ portrait campaign which celebrates wonderful learners of all ages in the neighbourhoods and encourages people to engage in lifelong learning through a photographic exhibition. A local learner, Stephen Hayes who participated in the exhibition described the significant impact of the Learning Neighbourhoods in his life “The Learning Neighbourhoods has been the awakening of my mind to knowledge at my own pace, the benefits from these programs can't be measured in time, because everyone is different in life, but for me going forward it has opened doors and for that I am for ever grateful, Thank you.”

In 2022 Mayfield Learning Neighbourhood developed a ‘Neighbourhood University’ programme which is a seven week programme which provides participants with a taste of a variety of third level subjects in a community setting with input from lecturers from local universities. A local man, Eddie H. participated in the course and described the positive impact that the course has had on his life . “The course has been amazing, I never felt that I would be accepted in a university setting but this course has made me realise that it is accessible. The subjects have been interesting and the lecturers have been so welcoming. After experiencing this taster course, I have decided to study architecture in the future. This course has made me feel part of the community.”

The Learning Neighbourhoods initiative maintains sustainability due to the renewal process which takes place on an annual basis. This process invites new members to engage in the Learning Neighbourhood coordination groups. The invite is open to all residents, organisations and local businesses. The impact of the inclusion of local businesses in our learning neighbourhoods has been surprising as businesses would not be typically viewed as a ‘traditional’ learning spaces. The local florist has been extremely active in our learning neighbourhoods and has been a significant partner in sustainability initiatives in the local area over the past years. This has highlighted the need to maintain inclusion as a key aspect of the Learning Neighbourhoods initiative.

The power of community mentors has also been recognised as instrumental in the success of the Learning Neighbourhoods. In each of the Learning Neighbourhoods, it is clear that leadership and community-based mentoring exists informally in our communities. Individual community members often provide leadership, a positive and encouraging influence on others and in doing so provide critical support to prospective and progressing students in their communities.

The Learning Neighbourhoods in partnership with University College Cork Access office SOAR project and Adult Continuing Education recognised the need to formally recognise and accredit the mentors and developed the accredited Community-Based Mentoring Programme. This programme offers formal recognition to mentors, building their capacity and equipping them with the skills, theory and knowledge to be an effective mentor in their community. The course was developed in partnership with community partners and mentors. The first cohort of mentors completed their CPD in Community Mentoring in 2021. It has been important for the Learning Neighbourhood programme to recognise and nurture leadership of people within the communities who empower and lead from within.

• There are currently six designated Learning Neighbourhoods in Cork City. We aim to develop and include two additional learning neighbourhoods in Cork in the next six-month period.
• Within the next year, Cork Learning Neighbourhoods team are planning to partner and collaborate on lifelong learning initiatives in communities in Derry/Strabane in Northern Ireland. These projects will be a significant example of cross boarder collaboration and will acknowledge and celebrate relationships between Cork and Derry/Strabane Learning Cities.
• It is hoped that the ‘Neighbourhood University’ programme be rolled out in other learning neighbourhoods to create a positive link with universities in the communities.
• We plan to support our community mentors to develop and define their own pathway within their communities and to create designated safe spaces for the mentors to work.
• In May 2022, we commenced workshops based on assistive technology and universal design for learning in Mayfield Learning Neighbourhoods. For next term we plan to expand this workshop to all of the communities that wish to avail of this.
• We plan to ensure that the UN Sustainable Development Goals are embedded in the heart of project planning.
• We aim to support our learning neighbourhood communities to participate in the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival which will take place in Spring 2023.