Transformative Journeys for Traveller Women
Celebrating achievements of Traveller women, especially those facing unique challenges.
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"Taking part in this helped me to see what barriers have been there and how to make the change for my own future and my children’s future."- Noreen Donoghue
This 12 week personal development was delivered by 2 tutors. It followed on from a Start from the Heart programme funded under CIF in December 2022.
The Transformative Journeys for Traveller Women programme was designed to empower parents or carers. It is particularly aimed for those who have experienced cumulative trauma and have been denied access to education and other opportunities that should be available to them.
Ten Traveller women took part in this programme. The programme is run in a supportive environment. This allows participants to reflect on their experiences, explore how trauma shaped their lives, and begin to understand their roles as parents, carers, and individuals.
The programme focuses on emotional wellbeing, personal awareness, and community connection. Participants explore the impact of trauma that has built up over a long time. They look at how this impacts their self-image, parenting, and relationships. The programme uses open conversation and guided sessions to explore issues.
The confidence and trust of the women on the course increases. Their personal growth became clear and powerful bonds form.
This programme is holistic: it is not just about education — it is about healing. The women gained practical tools for building healthier relationships with themselves and their families by better knowing their self-worth.
Many participants went on to complete a Self-Advocacy Course delivered by LOETB and LTAG. All particpants are now more empowered to speak up, access services, and engage fully in community and educational life.
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In 2024, the programme was awarded the AONTAS STAR Awards, receiving the European Social Fund (ESF) Special Recognition Award for its innovation, impact, and commitment to inclusion.
This project was a collaboration between Laois Offaly ETB and Laois Traveller Action Group (LTAG) and Traveller Resource Centres.
For more information about the project, please contact Tamara Latham, Regional Literacy Coordinator in Laois Offaly ETB, at tlatham@loetb.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.
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