Returning to education


audreyDALC

Pictured: Very proud sisters, Audrey and Barbara Moynihan receiving their QQI Level 5 Major Award in Healthcare.

My name is Audrey. I went to primary school and left school at 14. I did a lot of courses afterwards. I went through life learning how to do things by other people. I had all the excuses to hide my issues. Can you read this? Can you spell this word for me? Then I heard about DALC.

The first steps were the hardest for me, walking into DALC for the first time I was so ashamed. Mary Maher was the first tutor I talked to. I felt really relaxed with Mary and afterwards I felt great. She was so lovely to talk to and still is to this day. All the tutors and guys in DALC are brilliant.

I’m now able to read, write, spell and work on computers. I’m also doing cooking classes and I really enjoy them all. Last year I also learned how to do some classes online because of the COVID pandemic. I was surprised with myself, but I did it in the end. There is still nothing like going into face-to-face classes in DALC and getting to see all the guys. I have to say I did miss that a lot.

Five weeks ago, me and my sister passed our QQI Level 5 Healthcare Assistant course and received our major awards. I have to say it was the best decision I made in my life to come back to education in DALC. It was life changing for me and that's for sure.

DALC stands for the Dublin Adult Learning Centre and they are recruiting students for the Level 5 Healthcare Support course, starting January 2022. If you or anyone you know would be interested in taking part, please call the Centre at 01-8787266 or message 085-8807385.