Kildare adult education initiative recognised at annual STAR Awards 2023

Kildare-based Whidden Workshops was among the ten initiatives recognised at the annual STAR Awards, coordinated by AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation.

Hosted by Irish international footballers Stephanie Roche and Áine O’Gorman, the awards ceremony took place on Friday, March 10, at the Cusack Suite in Croke Park, Dublin.

Established in 2006, AONTAS’ STAR Awards acknowledge outstanding adult learning initiatives across the island of Ireland.

This year, a total of three Kildare projects were nominated across five categories including Health and Wellbeing; Third-level Access and Engagement; Social Inclusion; Global Citizenship Education; and Learner Voice.

Whidden Workshops: It’s Kushti to Rokker, County Kildare, empowers prospective learners from the Traveller and Roma communities through peer-led guidance on applying for and getting through college.

Awarded in the Third-level Access and Engagement category, the title of the project translates from Cant and Romani as 'The Chatting Workshops – It’s Good to Talk.'

Dearbháil Lawless, Chief Executive of AONTAS, commended the winners and nominees of this year’s STAR Awards: "We’ve been blown away by the standard of nominated projects this year, and by the sheer breadth of different communities that they support across the island of Ireland.

"Our winners today demonstrate the hugely important role that adult education can play to open up new opportunities and to bring communities together."

Kildare camogie players fall far short against experienced Armagh side

Kildare camogie players fall far short against experienced Armagh side

AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival 2023

The STAR Awards ceremony marked the culmination of a week-long programme of events for the AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival.

An annual celebration of adult and community learning across the island of Ireland, the theme of this year’s festival was 'Create Your World.'

Co-host of the award, Ireland footballer Stephanie Roche said: "It’s fantastic to see so much inspiring work happening in communities right across Ireland helping people to find a new passion or hobby, to build new skills or even to gain new qualifications. There’s so much available through adult education, there really is something for everyone!

"A huge congratulations to all the winners and to all the nominees of this year’s AONTAS STAR Awards," he added.

Co-host and teammate, Áine O’Gorman also said: "When we think of education, we might automatically think of gaining qualifications and for many, that may be what they want from an adult education course.

"What we’ve seen from the nominees and winners today, is how many learners also gaining something very personal from adult education - through sport, dance, craft and wellbeing initiatives.

She continued: "Whether that’s a new hobby, meeting new people, or healing from something in their lives.

"Well done to everyone who’s shared their story!"

To find out more about this year’s winners, as well as to view potential opportunities in adult education, visit www.aontas.com.