ADULT LEARNERS’ FESTIVAL

23rd February – 28th February 2015

 What are the STAR Awards?
The STAR Awards (Showcasing Teamwork, Awarding Recognition) are an awards initiative coordinated by AONTAS as part of the annual Adult Learners’ Festival to acknowledge the fantastic work undertaken by adult learning projects throughout Ireland. The awards celebrate the positive contribution that these projects make to our society, our economy and our local communities. 9 awards in total will be granted to adult learning projects based within the island of Ireland. An award will be given to one small/medium project and one large project in each province. There will also be one nationwide award.

The Irish Men’s Sheds Association

The Irish Men’s Sheds Association is a member based organisation which was set up with the purpose of supporting the development and sustainability of Men’s Sheds in Ireland. Men’s Sheds are dedicated, friendly and welcoming community based places for men of all ages, regardless of background or ability. They are places where you can share your skills and knowledge with others, learn new skills and redevelop some old skills. There is something of interest to everyone as men have ownership of the projects and decide their own programme of events. The IMSA now supports over 230 Sheds in Ireland.

Also nominated for the STAR AWARDS are 

Dungarvan Men’s Shed

The aim of the project is to enable members to become self-reliant, creative and self motivating. There are 30 members who attend from 10am to 1pm Monday to Friday.The purpose of the Shed is to counteract poverty and to encourage the social inclusion of skilled and unskilled men in Dungarvan and surrounding areas.The target groups are men who are unemployed, retired or employed with time on their hands. Activities undertaken include conversation with other men, community regeneration projects and learning skills that will overcome dependency on others. The project was featured on ‘The Secret Millionaire’, in 2012

Kilrush Mens Shed Wind Turbine Project

The Kilrush Men’s Shed Group is a community group set up in 2012. Since its foundation the group has worked with Limerick and Clare ETB who have supported the group in the form of tutor hours advice and support. The group has been highly successful in its projects and to date they have built a small sailboat, a fully functioning wind turbine, and a wind powered water pump. The group are currently at the beginning of a FETAC Level 3 Cert. in Woodcraft run by the ETB where they are manufacturing furniture for a community house located on near-by Scattery Island.