History & Achievements

Summary of the history and outcomes of the work in the Women’s Centre from 1995 to the present day:

1995-1999:

  • Design and delivery of Degree in Community Education and Development – 19 women community activists from Wexford and Waterford completed the Higher Certificate and 10 completed the Degree
  • Delivery of capacity building programme “Women Making Choices” accredited by Open College Network to 60 women from Waterford
  • Delivery of “Training for Trainers in Community Facilitation” to 18 women from Wexford and Waterford

2000:

  • First premises bought, renovate and Waterford Women’s Centre CDP was opened at 74, Manor Street

2001-2004:

  • Designed and delivered a range of Community education programmes working with over 60 women
  • Designed and delivered Honours Degree to 8 Women from Wexford and Waterford
  • Provided on-site childcare for women attending the Centre from 2001 with a capacity to take up to 7 children

2004 – 2010:

  • The Women’s Centre completed FETAC Quality Assurance Framework and became an approved centre
  • Purchased 75 Manor Street and built new childcare facilitate on site currently facilitating up to 37 children daily (opened November 2007)
  • Purchased 76 Manor Street
  • Delivery of the first Waterford Women’s Centre Higher Certificate in Community Education and
  • Development, 31 attained accreditation HETAC level 6
  • 10 women graduated in 2007 with  Higher Certificate
  • 8 employed in the community sector
  • Drop in facility started 2008 and facilitated approx. 150 women participated
  • Community Education programme ‘Time for Me’ was delivered to approximately 300 women 

2011 – 2015:

  • 11 graduated with degree in Community Education and Development
  • 300 approximately accessed the Drop-In service
  • Community education programmes facilitated approximately 200 participants
  • 40 received FETAC accreditation
  • Childcare Centre cared for approximately 300 children
  • 30 accessed Domestic Abuse Support Services
  • 1000 approximately engaged in Awareness Raising events for: International Women’s Day, 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence Against Women, Waterford Mayors Health Day, Waterford Diversity Festival, Community Education Learning Festival

2015-2017 Designed &Delivered the following courses:

  • Health & Wellbeing 
  • Women Exploring Options
  • Lead into Employment 
  • Continuous Professional Development Training for Community Facilitators
  • Community Facilitation Training

2017-2019 additional programmes:

Community Certificate Level 6:The Women’s Centre in partnership with Waterford Institute of Technology deliver a Level 6 Community Certificate consisting of three modules

Women’s History Project: Waterford Women’s History Walk, Bonnet Project, Pink Plaque Campaign and Waterford Women Profile and Photo Exhibition

Mend Partner Support: The Women’s Centre provides support for the partners of men on the MEND programme with the Men’s Development Network

Domestic Abuse Outreach Programme for Waterford : In partnership with Oasis House, Women’s Refuge and Tusla.