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Blanchardstown Traveller Podcast

Developing a podcast with members of the Traveller community.

Traveller Podcast

“It’s not just about learning to read or write, it is also about finding your voice.”-Learner

This project trained members of the traveller community and adult education staff in DDLETB Blanchardstown Adult Education Service to create and develop podcasts. Learners built their digital skills and used oral broadcasting to popularise their culture, stories, and community events. The focus of this project was on inclusion, empowerment and social justice.   

The project took place in autumn 2024 in Blanchardstown Library, with eight members of the Travelling community and two DDLETB Blanchardstown Literacy Service staff learning together.  

Library staff provided the room. It was a very pleasant environment for learning. Liffey Sound FM, a not-for-profit community radio station, provided the equipment and delivered the training.   

The podcast aimed to highlight the experiences and challenges faced by the Traveller Community in accessing adult education. The themes of the podcast included: 

  • overcoming barriers to education, 

  • cultural awareness and advocacy,  

  • addressing discrimination, and,  

  • advocating for equality in education.    

During the podcast, members of the Travelling Community shared their personal stories and lived experiences. The completed podcast episode is being shared widely on social media, websites, and local radio.   

Using podcasting technology helped everyone on the programme to improve their listening comprehension. Podcasting created more accessibility to learning, giving participants a chance to grow.   

Adult literacy staff members can now use podcasting as a learning tool with other groups. Podcasting is a fantastic alternative to the written word and will improve media literacy delivery considerably.  The adult literacy service plans to use podcasting to market and raise awareness.    

Thanks to the project’s success, more members of the travelling community are interested in coming to classes. All participants in the podcasting course have joined a financial literacy program in 2025.    

Click here to listen to the podcast.

“As a Traveller, I didn’t always feel welcome in education. This program gave me a safe space where I felt heard and belonged.” - Learner

This project was a collaboration between Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB and Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group.

For more information about the project, please contact Helena Browner, Regional Literacy Coordinator in Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB, at helenabrowner@ddletbaes.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.