)
“I found it very useful and it helped me know all the words and I thought we did excellently”- Learner
This project helped adults with an intellectual disability to
develop their numeracy, musical literacy, and digital literacy skills through singing. This was achieved through an inhouse choir and two community choirs: the Naas Hospital Choir and the Liffey Singers.
The project ran from June to December 2024 and had two phases. From May to early September, music facilitator Lorraine Nolan ran preview sessions. In the second phase, Lorraine and Sarah Gillespie Day ran the choir in preparation for Christmas performances from late September to December.
Practice took place every Monday morning in the Artaban Hall at the Bridge Community centre in Kilcullen. Additional practice sessions took place in Brigheen.
The inhouse choir performed in the Carols by Candlelight Concert in early December with the Naas Hospital Choir. Participants also performed at the Riverbank Theatre in Newbridge with the Liffey Singers.
Overall, this project empowered 13 adults with additional learning needs to improve their literacy in a fun and enjoyable way. It made a real difference in their lives and overall wellbeing.
Learners improved their literacy skills by reading and memorising song lyrics. They also enhanced their digital literacy skills by using Spotify and YouTube to practise songs at home.
Lámh literacy, which is a sign system used by people with disability and communication needs, was introduced to the community.
Click here to listen to a recital of Candles by Candlelight at the Kilcullen Parish Church.
)
Choir practise.
This project was a collaboration between Camphill Communities of Ireland Kildare and Naas Hospital Choir.
For more information about the project, please contact Deirdre Gallagher, Regional Literacy Coordinator in Kildare and Wicklow ETB, at deirdregallagher@kwetb.ie
The Adult Literacy for Life Collaboration and Innovation Fund
The Collaboration and Innovation Fund supports projects for adults with unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs and projects that support organisations to be literacy friendly. The closing date for 2024 applications has now passed but keep an eye out for information on our 2025 fund which will be launched in December.
)
)