HACE Celebrates Adult Learning Achievements at the Educational Certificate Awards  
Attended by award recipients, their proud families, tutors, and supporters, the ceremony recognised the educational achievements of learners from all walks of life, ages, and cultures. 
Certificates were awarded across a wide range of subjects, including: 

Art and History of Art 
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) 
Technology and Microsoft Work Skills 
Computers for Over 55s 
Flower Arranging, Sewing, and Gardening 
Irish and Spanish  
Yoga and Tai Chi 
Crafts and more 

What stood out to me was the sheer number of learners receiving multiple certificates, which was…
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Disability, Education and Access to Socially Valued Roles Everyone should have the chance to fully participate in education and in their communities. But for people with disabilities, that often means facing extra barriers, like buildings that aren’t accessible, transport that doesn’t work for them, or support that’s hard to get. 
Without the right supports in place, learners are left doing extra work just to take part, work that often goes unseen. We heard from learners with disabilities through the National FET Learner Forum — about what works, what’s missing, and what makes learning more accessible for everyone.  
In this blog, we share what learners…
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Celebrating Inclusive Learning at the Irish Wheelchair Association The gardens at the centre are a true highlight, featuring a polytunnel bursting with vegetables, a fruit garden, beekeeping, and even a butterfly garden. These tranquil outdoor spaces allow learners to take classes in nature when the weather permits. Eileen proudly pointed out the beautiful pergola, funded by the REACH initiative, which provides a vital outdoor learning space. She emphasised how important it is for people with disabilities to have opportunities to spend time outdoors, something they may not often get to do. 
Eileen also spoke passionately about the importance of community and…
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When learners speak, lead and create: A discussion on learner agency, strategies and policy through the learners’ voice  
The workshop, part of the ENHANCE Erasmus+ project, focused on more than showcasing good practice. It became a working space where that unspoken imbalance—the distance between learning about empowerment and actually redistributing power—was brought to the surface.
Participants quickly identified how learners’ voices are often filtered through institutional priorities. Even when space is made to “listen,” decisions are still taken elsewhere. As one participant put it, “We ask for opinions, then go on with the same plans.” The real challenge is not to make learners speak more,but to ensure they co-create the…
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How Inishowen Development Partnership is Empowering Communities in Donegal The workshop created a welcoming space for new migrant communities to foster a sense of belonging, integrate into local life, and actively contribute to a greener, more inclusive Buncrana.
Twelve participants attended the session, representing Nigeria, Pakistan, Botswana, the Philippines, and Ukraine. The discussion focused on ensuring that migrant communities have a voice in shaping their local environment while strengthening social connections. Patricia Higgins from IDP’s Connecting Communities initiative and Rachel Grant, Project Worker, were present to support the session.
When asked what…
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