Over 1000 students in DEIS Schools in Galway are participating in the ‘Our Community’ project, during the 2015-16 school year. The project is kindly supported by IPB Insurance and aims to show students that they have a valuable place and an important role to play in their community, in the future.
Presentation Secondary School transition year students with SAP volunteer Fiona Monne & teachers Niamh Nolan & Corina Delaney
The students from 11 different including Claddagh N.S., Scoil An Linbh Iosa, Scoil Chaitriona, Renmore, Galway Community College and Presentation Secondary School, are participating in a structured five-week programme delivered by business volunteers from Galway, using high quality Junior Achievement materials.
Their business volunteer is a positive influence for the students; motivating them, increasing their confidence and raising their aspirations for the future .
By providing business volunteers from multi-national companies based in Galway to work with the students, this also provides a link for these students to these organisations, where one day they may work themselves!
Senior Infants students and teacher Aoife McSharry in Scoil An Linbh Iosa following the ‘Ourselves’ programme.
For many this will also be their first experience of having a ‘volunteer’ in their classroom, helping their community, and this will also help to put them on a road, where they are far more likely to engage with their own community in the future. Indeed, their own community will no doubt benefit from the positive attitude that these young people will have, as a result of participating in the ‘Our Community’ project!
Ray Fogarty of Junior Achievement Ireland said ‘The ‘Our Community’ project has brought mentors from local businesses in Galway into our schools, to deliver a really important message, which is to become involved in your community in whatever way you can in the future. Everyone has different interests and talents and by giving some of your time to your community, you are creating a better society for everyone in the future. We really appreciate the support of IPB Insurance on this project, which has been a great learning experience for our students.”
IPB Insurance (IPB) is Ireland’s only wholly Irish-owned insurance company and indigenous mutual insurer. Their unique position in the Irish market place means they are committed to giving back to society towards helping to build a better Ireland. IPB wishes to support the ethos of volunteering and community involvement and their aim is to encourage locally based projects that foster community engagement for the benefit of the local community.
The purpose of their Corporate Social Engagement (CSE) Framework fund is to support projects rooted in the local area, led by local people and to improve the quality of life for those living in their community. It is aimed at empowering local people, enabling them to create lasting change in their communities, and supports activities that contribute positively to local community priorities.”