Diploma in Community Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and Life Skills

(CWELL).

A Community-University partnership Approach to programme development and

implementation

Bernie QuillinanSenior Lecturer, Civic Engagement ChampionDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick, Limerick

Geraldine ReidyCommunity Activist, Continuing Professional Development, St Marys Community,Limerick

Community Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and Life Skills

• 2 year course (Certificate/Diploma)

• Situated Learning programme

• Course participants empowered to effect positive change in their well-being and life-styles within their own community.

• Responsive to local needs and builds on existing knowledge and experience

• Builds leadership capacity

• Credited/voluntary student Placements (Practicum)

• Actively facilitates wider community involvement

•Respond to Local, National & International developments•Target Population •Form a project Steering Group (community consultation)

• Two Phases• Multidisciplinary• Partnership approach (working Alliance framework)

•Funding•Programme development (structure/content)

• Group consultation • Individual Consultations • Information Sessions (feedback sought)

•Research Project established

Background to CWELL Development

CWELL

The structure of the programme The three pillars

CWELL

SEMESTER 1 ECTS HOURS SEMESTER 2 ECTS HOURS

Mental Health 1 Well-being and Positive Mental Health Across the Lifespan

18 450Managing Health in the Home and Community

18 300

Study Skills and Personal Development

12 450Communication and Lifeskills

12 300

Total ECTS Credits Year I, Part 1 60 Exit with Level 6 - Minor Award – Higher Certificate in Community Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and

Lifeskills (CWELL) if desired

SEMESTER 3 ECTS HOURS SEMESTER 4 ECTS HOURS

Mental Health 2, Prevention and Management

18 450Leading and Sustaining Change in the Community

18 450

UL Practicum 1 12 300 UL Practicum 2

12 300

Total ECTS Credits Year 2, Part II 60 Exit with Level 7 - Minor Award – Diploma in Community Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and Lifeskills

(CWELL)

CWELL Programme Outline/Structure

“Better metrics do not in themselves deliver outcomes. You can’t fatten a pig by weighing it……but if you don’t find some means of weighing it, you may find yourself unable to persuade others that it is as fat as you believe !!!”

Mulgan, G.,(2011)

• Evaluate the impacts and outputs from the CWELL programme.

• Qualitative Study• Sample :Key Stakeholders• Was CWELL going to have positive results ? …..

from whose Perspective????

Programme Evaluation

An evaluation of the Community Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and Lifeskills

(CWELL) programme

• Aim :To evaluate the impact of the CWELL programme taking into account specific outcomes, such as health literacy, application of knowledge to practice and personal and professional growth of programme participants (particularly the demonstration of leading and sustaining change).

• Ethical approval received Dec 2013

• Design: Qualitative study - one to one interviews and focus groups

• Data collection : over 2-yrs, at 4 time-points in each academic year

• Study sample 15 students on the CWELL programme 3 stakeholders from UL involved in the delivery of the programme 3 stakeholders from associated community groups

• Data Analysis: Data will be analysed using the constant comparative method.

Time 1 Pre-enrolment Spring Time 2 End of Spring Semester

Time 3 Beginning of Autumn Semester Time 4 End of Autumn Semester

CWELL

The First Student Cohort•Selection Process – Information Sessions– Application/Interview

•14 Students ( 3 men/11 Women)•Education background•Social circumstances

Before I came on the CWELL programme…

•“I wasn't as confident as I feel now…..I was quiet and kept my opinions to myself”

Since I came on the CWELL programme, I have…

•“Learned to work as part of a team and to respect other people's opinions if they are different to mine. I have learned a lot about health which I have put into practice”

One thing I would like others to know about the CWELL programme is…

•“That it is a very rewarding programme if somewhat challenging at times.”

The impact the CWELL programme has had on me is…

•“I have grown personally and academically since I started the CWELL programme…..has had a positive effect on me and my family.”

As a result of CWELL, my future outlook is….

•“Use my new skills to benefit my family and the community to "help them to help themselves" on a personal level it has given me the confidence to perhaps continue on and do a degree”.

CASE STUDY Evaluation - September 2014

Peer mentoring Diploma in Community Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and Life skills

(CWELL)

ECTS Weighting: 6 ECTS creditsPracticum Partners: EHS, UL and St Mary’s Community, Limerick CityAcademic Contact: Bernie Quillinan. E-Mail: Bernie.quillinan@ul.iePracticum Student Placements on this project: FourCourse Code: BR4304 Course Title: SPRING PRACTICUM

Practicum Student Activities

Work Shops

• Individual & Group Home- Work

Clinics

Culture Night

• Storytelling, Song and Dance

• Cross cultural knowledge

sharing

Helpline

• A 'help –line’ is available to students

throughout the week

Newsletter

• Feature writing collaborating

with wider community and

students on articles.

Reflections Practicum Student

• ……..”I felt that the support I provided came at a good time as many students were dealing with the flood, although it was during the flooding when I truly realized how strong, proud and supportive the St. Mary’s community is. It was a great cultural experience and taught me a great deal about community involvement”. Chris Frappier , Canada, April 2014

• ………”The Practicum experience has without a doubt positively shaped my time in Ireland. The people I have met and the opportunities I have had because of Practicum have made me a better student, a better teacher, and above all, a better person”. Sadie Scibo, Chicago, April 2014

CORE ASPECTS

Summary of Our Journey & Key AchievementsMarch 2011 to present

2014Programme Delivery

Research Study Commenced

Community Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and Life Skills (CWELL).

CWELL Video

Find us on Facebookbernie.quillinan@ul.ie

lyons_geraldine@hotmail.ie