West North-West Connect

The vision for the WNW Connect Project is to create and promote accessible routes to Higher Education in the West North-West Region through engaging with and supporting, individuals who are socio-economically and/or educationally disadvantaged.

WHO WE ARE

The WNW Connect Project is based in the Student Services and Access Services of the WNW Cluster of Higher Education Institutions. The WNW Cluster of Higher Education Institutions comprises of ATU Galway Mayo (lead), ATU Donegal, ATU Sligo, and University of Galway.

HOW WE WORK

With a student-centred focus, through Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) 2 and 3 funding, we strive to adopt a partnership approach between key community organisations and cluster Higher Education institutions (HEIs). The WNW Connect Project leverages existing local-level connections between HEIs, DEIS schools, community partnerships, cohort specific advocacy groups and seeks new partnerships to support project delivery. The development and maintenance of such partnerships is pivotal to the long-term sustainability of the project.

WHO WE WORK WITH

The WNW Connect Project target groups include students from underrepresented socioeconomic groups and communities; students with disabilities; mature students; members of the Irish Traveller community; students entering on the basis of a further education award; and part-time flexible learners.

PILLARS TO OUR WORK

There are three key Pillars within the WNW Connect Project: Mentoring, Traveller Engagement and Pathways to Higher Education.

Mentoring Initiatives

The WNW Connect Project is strategically developing mentoring programmes across Community, Schools, Further and Higher Education Institutions.

Community-Based Mentoring

Objectives:

To collaborate with relevant organisations to improve the rates of participation in higher and further education of people from communities of socio-economic disadvantage.
To provide a community-based formal mentoring service to people who are interested in higher and further education. 
To promote a culture of mentoring in the community.

Community-Based Mentoring Activities Include:

One to one mentoring support to young person or adult in the community who wants to take a next step in their education.
Community Education and Learning Workshops and Events.
FETAC Level 5 Component Award Community Mentoring & Advocacy Course.
Participation in relevant local community initiatives e.g. new community developments, community research, interagency groups.

School-Based Mentoring

Objectives

To encourage primary and second level students in DEIS schools to explore options in higher education by engaging directly with third level students.
To expose primary and second level students to third level campuses with a focus on meeting people from their own communities in order to demystify access to education.
To support the development of peer mentoring initiatives within DEIS post-primary schools through relevant training and resources.

School Based Mentoring Activities Include:

Radius Mentoring Galway, a Collaboration between ATU Access and Participation Office Galway and the Department of Creative Arts and Media.
Strive Mentoring Donegal, a mentoring programme for DEIS post-primary schools in the using a combination of Personal and Development Mentoring (PDM) and Academic and Employability Mentoring (AEM).
Uni4U on campus programme for 6th class students from DEIS schools.

College-Based Mentoring

Objectives

To ensure students (first generation students in particular) have access to formal and natural mentoring support.
To provide mentoring support in further and higher education that enables participating students to successfully achieve their educational objectives by building on networks of acquired social and cultural support. 
To support students to explore and follow progression pathways.

College-Based Mentoring Activities include:

Foróige College Mentoring programme (staff-student) in conjunction with ATU Galway, Sligo and Donegal campuses. 
ATS Mentoring University of Galway (peer mentoring started through PATH 3, now mainstreamed).
University of Galway FE2HE workshops and events.

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

Mentoring for Access, Retention and Student Success (PDF)

Mentoring for Access, Retention and Student Success: A review of practice in the West-North West Cluster of HEIs (Slideshow)

CONTACT US

General Cluster Queries: wnwcluster@atu.ie

Education Mentoring Co-ordinator: celia.keenaghan@atu.ie

Specific Institution Queries: