‘Everyone has their own challenges’
A northside learning centre is offering additional support for adult learners struggling in a variety of circumstances.
Rehabilitation officers (ROs) at the National Learning Network (NLN), Hollyhill, offer a distinguished level of specialist support for students and adult learners looking to return to education and employment. ROs specifically train people to develop and use their existing skills and also help them to cope emotionally with their new situation.
Speaking about the role, RO Maura Keane said: “There can be outside factors happening in their lives, and students may need time and space to talk about it, and someone to listen and support them. We might agree to meet on a weekly basis for an agreed amount of time and work through things like, what situations they find difficult, what they could do to help the situation, and build up resources and tools that they can use. You could call it stress management.”
Many ROs consider the term ‘rehabilitation officer’ outdated, because their role has evolved beyond people with physical and mental disabilities. Now it also includes supporting students in variety of different circumstances.
The NLN also support people whose education or employment may have been disrupted by anxiety, depression, or other circumstances. In many cases, a student may be academically capable, but are kept from pursuing education due to stress, mental health, or emotional issues.
ROs don’t consider themselves to be counsellors. But they feel that students benefit from having somebody to speak to about their concerns and grow as a result of taking part in the programme.
“In the interview we discuss the process. If a student does want to avail of counselling services, we can link them in with external counsellors,” said Maura.
In recent years, the dominant challenge facing ROs has been students suffering with anxiety. Many may struggle even to apply for a course due to low moods, and depression. Often, enrolled students may miss course days due to stress. In these cases, an instructor may contact the student and offer reassurance and encouragement.
Maura said: “We let them know that the support is here for them. When the student does come back in, we discuss what triggered these feelings, and talk about what additional support they may need, and put an action plan together. Our aim is that when a student graduates from the programme, they do so with not just with an accredited course, but with life skills, coping mechanisms, and the resilience to deal with what life throws as them.”
The NLN offer a flexible and unique plan for students - a four month plan called a Personal Centre Plan. Students will sit down with their instructor once a month and discuss their goals, and what they would like to achieve in the next month.
“A lot of students say we’ve really changed their lives. We can’t take away their anxiety, but we can give them the tools and skills to manage it, so they can be the best person they can be. It’s not like school, it’s adult training. Everyone has their own challenges,” continued Maura.
For further information about course and applications, visit rehab.ie/national-learning-network/.