Home » Lifestyle » Carers gain experience from EU project

Carers gain experience from EU project

Car Tourismo Banner

A GROUP of 12 carers from all over the county have been presented with certificates recognising their participation in a European Commission-funded training course specialising in enhancing carer skills and competencies.
Ennis-based Caring for Carers Ireland provided the caring skills and competencies training as one of six EU partners involved in the Leonardo da Vinci (Transfer of Innovation) Project KEYFORA, a two-year project focusing on education and training for family carers, professional care workers and migrant care workers.
Among those to receive certificates at a ceremony in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis recently were Breda Connaughton, (Newmarket); Theresa Curtin (Crusheen); Caroline Davoren, (Kilmihil); Seyi Ejidem (Ennis); Teresa Hickey (Feakle); Teresa Hogan (Ennis); Cora Long (Scariff); Margaret Scanlon (Cranny); Kitty Ward (Cratloe); Godfrey Odiase (Ennis); Mary B Vaughan (O’Callaghan’s Mills) and Breda White (Ennis).
Commenting on the initiative, Brigid Barron, KEYFORA project manager, Caring for Carers Ireland explained, “The lack of key competencies is recognised as one of the main challenges to the overall success in the employment and training of carers throughout Europe. Existing resources and learning methods are inadequate to cater for the needs of the learner.”
Course tutor Barbara Callinan emphasised the skills learned in the caring role are “invaluable” and the purpose of the training is to build on those skills in preparation for employment.
“Activities that contribute to the well-being of families and individuals at home, such as care services, have an important job-creation potential. Demand for care and household services is expected to increase due to an important trend population ageing in all EU member states, combined with the expected decline in the number of potential carers within the family circle.
“The recently concluded training course focused on developing the key skills of communication, responsibility, problem-solving and team-working,” she added.
Commenting on her participation in the course, Cora Long from Scariff said, “I found the self-assessment element of the project of great value, particularly in relation to identifying my personal strengths and weaknesses. Overall, the skills module highlighted the importance of good communication and maintaining a positive attitude.”
For further information, visit www.keyfora.com or contact Brigid Barron at bbarron@caringforcarers.org.

 

About News Editor

Check Also

Living in the community of art in Ennistymon

Over the past six months, a diverse group of people have been coming together each …