The Intergenerational Café has made a long-awaited return to South West College, following its successful launch by the Childcare staff and students back in 2018.

This ground-breaking initiative brings together members of the local community of all ages, from primary school children to nursing home residents, to celebrate diversity and promote learning and understanding across generations. The Café was a resounding success, with a positive impact that extended beyond the college campus and into the wider community.

The award-winning Intergenerational Café was unfortunately postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the students of the 2023 academic year were thrilled to be able to plan and deliver a fantastic event once again. The students organised a Christmas-themed session of arts and crafts, bottomless tea and coffee, freshly made crepes, and a fun and highly competitive game of bingo, which culminated in some live Christmas music and an impromptu dance-along. They were joined by the pupils from Howard Primary School alongside their friends and relatives from across the generations.

Fey Cole, Curriculum Manager at SWC, described the Intergenerational Café as a project-based learning initiative with far-reaching benefits for everyone involved, including the students, staff, and participants.

“To see the hall full of music, stories and friendship today was just a lovely way to get the sessions properly back to SWC.I found it a sad moment when we had to cancel our intergenerational event back in 2020 due to the pandemic. After all our past work, it was hard to see the sessions cancelled but we kept up the links and did some great outreach work over zoom.”

Fey highly recommends that other settings get involved in some form of intergenerational care, as everyone can learn so much from listening to each other and coming together to chat and learn from one another.

South West College would also like to thank Linking Generations NI who provided funds for the event as part of their Christmas Connections campaign. SWC values their ongoing support and commitment to the initiative.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Intergenerational Café or know someone who would benefit from it, don't hesitate to contact South West College for further information. This initiative is a shining example of how people of all ages can come together to promote understanding, learning, and positive change in their communities.

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NCFE CACHE Level 2 Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development Traineeship

Enniskillen Apprenticeships Childcare Level 2 Full-Time

This qualification is designed to help learners build the knowledge and skills needed when working with children. It covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas working in a children’s setting. This qualification confirms competence in these areas and serves as the required qualification for all new practitioners for registration and regulatory requirements in Northern Ireland....

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NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Childrens Care Learning and Development (Management) (NI)

Dungannon Higher Education Childcare Level 5 Part-Time

This Diploma is aimed at those working with children and young People from 0-19 years, concentrating on Early Years Practice. The qualification meets the minimum standards for managing Child Care settings as set out in DHSSPS Child-minding and Day Care (Children under 12). It is designed to guide and assess the development of knowledge and skills including those relating to leading teams and manag...

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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Children’s Care Learning and Development (Northern Ireland)

Dungannon Enniskillen Further Education Childcare Level 3 Full-Time

This qualification is designed to provide learners with underpinning knowledge and skills needed when working with children. It covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas in children’s settings, including early years. The qualification then builds on this knowledge and provides extended knowledge and skills to further learners understanding and provide a stepping stone into high...

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Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies, validated by Queen’s University Belfast, quality assured by Stranmillis University College

Omagh Higher Education Childcare Level 5 Full-Time

*Application to this programme is via UCAS and is not done directly with SWC.* The Foundation Degree will provide you with the opportunity to develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of early years and related issues, enabling you to become a competent and well qualified Early Years Practitioner. The Foundation Degree will give you a nationally recognised qualification an...

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Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies, validated by Queen’s University Belfast, quality assured by Stranmillis University College (Part-Time)

Omagh Higher Education Childcare Level 5 Part-Time

The closing date for this year is 11th June 2025. Therefore, all completed applications should be uploaded to our system by Friday 6th June 2025 to allow processing time. The Foundation Degree will provide you with the opportunity to develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of early years and related issues, enabling you to become a competent ...

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BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies from Stranmillis University College; validated by Queen’s University Belfast

Omagh Higher Education Childcare Level 6 Part-Time

*Applications must be made to Stranmillis directly before 1st March on year of entry.* This is a four year part-time course aimed at those interested in a career in Early Years. The theoretical training establishes and develops the skills necessary to cope with the challenges of supporting, caring for and educating young children in a professional environment. A work based elem...

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City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Children's Care Learning and Development

Dungannon Omagh Further Education Apprenticeships Childcare Level 3 Full-Time Part-Time

The qualification allows learners to gain in-depth knowledge and understanding about child development (0-12 years) and to develop and refine the practical and technical skills required for employment and / or career progression in the Early Year and Childcare sector, working with children from 0-5 years and 11 months. This qualification is available as Full Time, Part Time or via an App...

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City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Children's Care Learning and Development

Dungannon Enniskillen Omagh Apprenticeships Childcare Level 2 Full-Time

This qualification has been designed to provide an understanding of the children and young people's sector. This also gives an introduction to the practical skills and knowledge required to work in this area.

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