Literacy training events in Tipp
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Group that attended in Clonmel.Image 2 of 3
Ester Mackey (Regional Literacy Coordinator), Liam Cleere (Literacy Ambassador), Helen Ryan (SOLAS), Toni Juleff (Tipperary University Hospital), Ruth Smith, PPN Coordinator and Tipperary Literacy Coalition Chairperson.Image 3 of 3
There were informative stands at the events.Tipperary’s Adult Literacy Coalition recently hosted two interesting training events for local organisations and businesses. The purpose was to network, become more aware about the barriers that people with unmet literacy, numeracy or digital skills experience, and to become literacy friendly in interactions with clients and one another.
One event was in the Talbot Hotel in Clonmel and the other in the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh. Both events were examples of close collaboration between the stakeholders on the local coalition. We displayed the information and supports that we offer to the local community and learned together about the barriers that people face and the ways to support in an empathetic and considered way.
It was heartening to see so many organisations getting involved and trained in literacy friendly approaches to their work.
At the Clonmel event, a literacy ambassador, Liam Cleere, spoke about his experience of dealing with officials, the language associated with letters, forms and the expectation for being digitally skilled. He also highlighted the relief of stress that a helpful staff member can offer, when acting in a literacy friendly manner.
In Nenagh, we had a local chemist, Anna Kelly, as guest speaker. She shared the learning for them as a staff team in gaining the Crystal Clear Award for the chemist. She shared what it means to look at their service through a literacy lens and how that helped them to improve labelling, customer care and their website.
Organisations represented at the events were: Tipperary County Council and library services, Tipperary ETB, Public Participation Network, HSE Health Promotion, Turas Nua, Employment Services, North and South Tipperary Development Companies, Tipperary Rural Traveller Project, Knockanrawley Resource Centre, Disability Services, Money Advisory Board, Citizens’ Information, Youthwork Ireland Tipperary, Probation Services, Home School Community Liaison teachers, Age Friendly Tipperary, Silver Arch Family Resource Centre, Tipperary University Hospital.
FURTHER DETAILS
To access this training or to get involved, contact Regional Literacy Co-ordinator, Ester Mackey on 087-062 6937.