The Community Education Support Programme within our Further Education and Training (FET) Service supports thousands of students around the county and its islands each year. We blogged about this in January 2023, highlighting the wide range of projects supported by the programme. In this blog one of these groups, the Pen2Papers Writers Group, tells us about their experience of the Community Education Support Programme through member Margaret O’Kane.
The Pen2Paper Writers Group came into being over fourteen years ago in 2010, and thankfully, we are still going from strength to strength. Originally formed with help from the Peace III initiative, we were lucky to have Julie Costello as our mentor, and her encouragement, dedication and strength helped us to ‘find our voice’, an ethos which we strive to continue today.
We provide an environment that encourages everyone to develop writing skills, confidence and knowledge, which in turn will benefit each person and the wider community.
At present our members come from Donegal Town, Mountcharles, Ballybofey, Stranorlar, Ardara and Inver.
Membership is open to everyone as the group has no political, religious or ethnic affiliations, and we welcome new members to our meetings held in The Mustard Seed tearoom, Donegal Town every second Monday from 7.00-9.00pm. We work on a rotating facilitator system so each session one of our members brings prompts, we write for twenty minutes and then read back. Comments are always welcome and usually great fun is the order of the meeting. A cup of tea ends the evening.
We have published two anthologies of short stories and poetry. Our first was in 2018 and was a resounding success with all proceeds going to three local charities – the RNLI, the Alzheimer’s Society and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Our second was published in 2023, with support from Donegal ETB, and again with all proceeds going to local charities, the Alzheimer’s Society, Animals in Need, Donegal and Ballybofey, and The Mustard Seed.
With the ongoing support we received from Donegal ETB, for which we are extremely grateful, the hope is that Pen2Paper will continue to grow and encourage new members to join us.
We currently have a new project in the pipeline titled “The Street Where I Lived”. It promises to enthral you with stories from various authors. From memories of the war in 1940s London to the many carefree adventures growing up in Ireland. Pen2Paper has been a lifeline to many over the last few years. Testimonies from past and present members have been positive and encouraging. The group has helped those suffering with depression, loneliness, widowers looking for a new outlet of expression and young mothers seeking a new hobby. Writing has always been therapeutic and we can express our feelings in a safe and encouraging environment. Pen2paper unreservedly thank the Donegal ETB for funding over the years and also The Mustard Seed for a wonderful venue that allows us to continue with our very exciting adventures.
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If you are interested in facilitating a community education class in your local area or you are already a participant in a community group interested in running a course in your local area, feel free to contact one of Donegal ETB’s two dedicated Community Education Facilitators to schedule a meeting and arrange to join our extensive network of community providers. Enquiries from South, West and the Gaeltacht areas of the county should be directed to Orla Winters (087 3573954) and in the North, East and Inishowen areas to Catherine Friel (087 1853050).