About the SOAR Project
The SOAR Project is an inter-institutional collaboration on Access. It brings together the South Cluster – Institute of Technology Carlow, Munster Technological University, University College Cork and Waterford Institute of Technology together with community partners to collaborate on devising and delivering strategies to increase access to higher education for under-represented groups. The Project is funded by the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Strand 3.
OUR VISION

Scaffold aspirations, achievement and access through socially-inclusive learning environments and community embedded mentoring.
TRANSFORMATIONAL GOALS
The SOAR Project have identified five high-level transformational goals. These ambitious long term goals are interrelated and interdependent, they involve culture, practice, service, and methodology and create the optimal environment to significantly widen participation and increase access to higher education for under-represented groups. The SOAR Project in design, development, implementation, and evaluation will endeavor to further these goals as they influence and determine project work streams, objectives and actions.
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SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
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TRANSITION READINESS
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COMMUNITY EMBEDDED MENTORING
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ENHANCED ACCESS KNOWLEDGE & SERVICE
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CROSS-CLUSTER & COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
Soar PROJECT Updates

Welcome to the SOAR Project website, great to have you visit! We hope you find it useful in learning about us and our work. Please do check in regularly for updates on project developments and delivery.
READ MORE@ReginaDo @UCC It's fantastic well done to all and to @tvgcorkclg who designed the course and supported the women 💜, I do believe the only way for our community now is up we have broken true many barriers hopefully things can only get better 💞
Congratulations to these 19 graduates. A story which inspires, warms the heart & demands we build on this & do more to create a truly inclusive education system with opportunities for all. Wishing these 19 women every happiness & success. Thanks to @UCC & all involved https://t.co/yxRIknT8rr
How it started and how it's going. Congratulations to these amazing Traveller women, true Leaders in the Community graduating today @UCC @tvgcorkclg @ACEUCC @AnneBur27018840 @SindyLJoyce @normaderoiste @l_elamoud @TNC71035 @HEAaccess @SimonHarrisTD
2So proud of all these inspiring women - what an achievement! Hopefully this is only the beginning for them. As I said at the ceremony @UCC earlier, I really do hope that they go onto change the world! via @RTENews https://t.co/NBnUKdSaYl
@tvgcorkclg @ACEUCC @SoarForAccess @UCC @MTUCork_Access This is the best news ive seen in a long time. Shows how much potentially we have in this country if we get rid of the barriers.
Well done ladies you are an inspiration to us all
Such a memorable occasion @UCC with @tvgcorkclg @TNC71035 @ACEUCC @SindyLJoyce @AnneBur27018840 @OliveByrne3
Such a heartwarming & wonderful occasion @ucc as 21 women from the Travelling Community are conferred with diplomas in leadership. As the head of @ACEUCC said “May you go out & change the world”. @rtenews
What a day, heartfelt congratulations to these inspiring women! @SoarForAccess is proud to have supported this partnership with @tvgcorkclg @ACEUCC
To say we are proud, thrilled and inspired is an UNDERSTATEMENT. Huge congratulations to the graduates and the whole team involved in this "life-changing" course!! @ACEUCC @SoarForAccess @UCC @MTUCork_Access https://t.co/qbp8OuT2Lw
Wanted: research topics from community groups to be undertaken by UCC students this coming academic year 2022/2023. Any questions/issues welcome. Email a.kingston@ucc.ie for more info @UCC_civic
@irishredcross @echolivecork @irishexaminer @NascIreland @IrishRefugeeCo @UkraineIreland @corklearning @learning_fest @PennyDinnersCor @yaycork @CorksRedFM @Corks96FM @corkindo @C103Cork @CorkChamber Please share as we want to try accommodate as many students as possible
Traveller children + families fear "being hurt & discriminated against in education" and many exit education early
We are proud to work alongside Breda + Leanne, delivering interventions supporting Travellers to ensure #AccessForAll @BredaHogan4 @LMCDART
https://t.co/H2rLIfiiPS
Yesterday we finally launched the 'Traveller Graduate Network' its been a long time coming. Our community need the support to thrive like the 4 of us know they can and we aim to ensure they get it.
If you are looking to become a member of the TGN contact me.
@amquilli @LMCDART
Great launch of the Pavee Beoir Leaders Traveller Women in Education yesterday in @UCC with @SoarForAccess @ACEUCC @tvgcorkclg @StephenUCCPharm @AnnieMCummins @AnneBur27018840 @OliveByrne3 @sotuama
4Just Powerful! 👏👏👏 https://t.co/H7tIIWXhIg
Such an important milestone for the Traveller Graduate Network. Well done to all. @SoarForAccess is proud to support the TGN and excited to see the change it will bring for Travellers @BredaHogan4 @LMCDART @MTUCork_TravEd @HEAaccess
@MTUCork_Access is delighted to support the Traveller Graduate Network and delighted to host the launch in MTU today. Super proud of our colleagues @BredaHogan4 and @LMCDART who are founding members of the Network. @SoarForAccess
https://t.co/fIImU3sTAE
What an honour it was for us in @ACEUCC to work with these amazing and inspirational women. We can’t wait to see you graduate @UCC next week 👩🏻🎓 https://t.co/v0vWo8zSls
An emotional and celebratory event yesterday at UCC promoting a bespoke course that will see 24 Traveller women gradate from UCC next week. The course report offers excellent recommendations for Traveller education. Next up: implementation! @Love1solidarity https://t.co/7dlogMZmD9
It has been a privilege to support these amazing women, true leaders in and for their community.
Words can't express how delighted we are with the Leadership in The Community diploma course with @ACEUCC @SoarForAccess. Our first group of Traveller women graduates will be celebrating next week. Thanks to all who worked on this programme 4
Delighted to attend the launch of the Pavee Beoir Leaders report by @SoarForAccess … Congrats to the Southern Travellers Health Network, Sheila McGovern, @AnnieMCummins @MaireLeane @OliveByrne3 on this fantastic initiative
2The Traveller Graduate Network is the first alumni network of its kind in Ireland, set up by, and run for, Irish Travellers. Myself @LMCDART @amquilli & Gavin Hennessy are very excited about this launch..
https://t.co/8rGfCKT9F8
Really looking forward to this launch this morning. Let’s see how we can be more inclusive in everyday practice. #MTUAutismAware
The first 2 speakers for the Prepare Pre- entry Guide Launch event taking place online on the 4th of April are @RebekahLBrennan & @laura_coleman80 who took part in making the project a success. Book your place & Register on this link https://t.co/62UnX2SQfL
#MTUAutismAware 2
Hugely proud of Julie O'Donovan and DSS staff & Access Practitioners at MTU Cork who worked so hard to create "the Prepare Entry Guide", presented by Julie and @RebekahLBrennan of the SOAR Project this afternoon
A fantastic talk from Julie O'Donovan and @RebekahLBrennan of @MTU_ie and @UCC on the Prepare Entry Guide for students with autism. It's important not to pre-empt students needs. The starting point should always be consultation with students directly #AHEAD2022 @SoarForAccess https://t.co/LxrPOhRJXF
"We Are Here, Hear" is more than an art exhibition. It is living & breathing, intended to keep the conversation alive & lift up marginalised voices.
Dr Sarah Meaney-Satori, creator of the "We Are Here, Hear" exhibition, explains the impetus behind the @MEND_CC project.
Hello lovely Twitter folk; I have had to change the direction of my final year project pretty late in the day (😩😩😩) I am now looking for anybody over 18 to complete a very short survey; so if you would like to take part please DM me for the link and feel free to share it on
Well deserved @MTUCork_Access #TravellerAlly2022 The @SoarForAccess Project is proud to support this work.
The @MTUCork_Access Team are delighted to be recipients of the first Traveller Ally Awards from Cork Traveller Women’s Network & Cork Traveller Visibility Group. The team are proud to be allies, to challenge racism & build equality in Ireland. #TravellerAlly2022 #TravellerRights
Happy #TravellerEthnicityDay2022 @BredaHogan4!
Today is Irish Traveller Ethnicity Day & I'm sharing 2 pictures with you, the camp my mother spent her childhood in & the piece I did based on it. Today I'm proudly celebrating my culture, its the 5th anniversary of Travellers gaining ethnic status.
#TravellerEthnicityDay2022 2
Proud to see @UCC recognised #TravellerAlly2022 and committed to ongoing partnership with the Traveller Community to realise such ambition.
#TravellerAlly2022: @UCC for their ambition to increase the number of Traveller graduates at the university and improve Traveller education outcomes and their continued support over the years https://t.co/oyzXDmNKxC
Wow. Our @MTU_ie colleague Karen Weekes has just completed rowing solo across the Atlantic. Congratulations @shecando2021 !! https://t.co/ggYv9cpN8J
The @dssucc has launched a free online training course where you can learn about Technology to Make Learning Easier. It focusses on free and built-in solutions to make reading, writing and studying easier. https://t.co/nZZP8QG1a2
Full course at: https://t.co/dfdRZ78MSq
An exhibition of all entries received will take place in the first week of April, with the winner announced on the final day. Details on how to submit to follow.. Any questions or queries are welcome- maturestudents@citsocieties.ie or 'mtu_maturestudents' on Instagram. (2/2)
It’s finally here!! Refugee Week 2022 is NEXT WEEK 📣
We are proud to present our Monday - Wednesday Lineup with more events to be announced tomorrow 👀
We have so many amazing events lined up you really won’t want to miss it! 💫
Angel Delight....
What would you consider a really traditional Irish dessert?
In the news: Derek O’Byrne, Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) registrar and vice-president for academic affairs, says students need to make decisions primarily based on their own interests and abilities. #CAO2022 https://t.co/u1IYA2xe4j
Taking place this morning @ 10:30 - answering your #HEAR Questions
https://t.co/bZrDEBXmKg
#Leavingcert22 #UCC #AccessUCC #UCCPLUS #PLUSProgramme https://t.co/8NVsh5dSTY
Traveller and Roma students join the Whidden Workshop this Friday to hear about college pathways and supports with @MEND_CC and @MTUCork_TravEd #travellered
Register now for the next Whidden Workshop which takes place this coming Friday at 12pm. Find out about going to college and what supports are available to Traveller and Roma students ➡️ https://t.co/gCTVMU0BOU #travellered #accessforall
I can confirm that all fees for the 2022 Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle examinations will be waived by the State Examinations Commission.
Nice piece about the work of Universities of Sanctuary on @rtenews today. Well done @Avril_Hutch and colleagues in @UCC. More details about Sanctuary work in @IUAofficial universities can be found on our website at https://t.co/sW6UysfGXb https://t.co/42uyGhFqu5
When your mentor becomes your colleague!!! Well done @LMCDART @BredaHogan4. Great interview Breda. Well done @MTUCork_Access @SoarForAccess https://t.co/ehtLFxx24i
"If you have a destination of where you are going, it'll motivate you to stay." A great interview with @BredaHogan4 discussing Traveller Student access to education & supports, work placements, employment & mentorships.
@SoarForAccess @AccessCork @MTUCork_Access @MTUCork_TravEd https://t.co/8p5RNQlOKC
2 fully funded PhD scholarships (with stipend) exploring the rights and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities available at UCC https://t.co/LjINU1xQGk. Please retweet.
Great interview with @BredaHogan4 about her education journey and her @SoarForAccess role in @MTUCork_Access supporting other Travellers. Work placement opportunities are critical in supporting Travellers access the labour market. https://t.co/BEQ7QkqRcJ
Fantastic workshop with some @SoarForAccess Community Mentors from @corklearning Learning Neighbourhoods and @CorkMigrant. Thanks @treesandpaint for capturing the conversation. @MTUCork_Access @UCC_MSO @UCCPLUS @DSSUCC @MTUCork_DSS @AccessCork
2Well done Julie @MTUCork_DSS https://t.co/0e2CX4kzxa
If you are a Traveller who wants to go to college please just send the access person in a college a call or email. They will call you back. Do not miss out on being a teacher because no one gave you the same time and information as the settled person.
Thanks AnneMarie - absolutely get in touch with with us; we will help in anyway we can, Email; access@ucc.ie; Twitter; @UCCPLUS @UCC_MSO @DSSUCC @access_ucc https://t.co/NZMaYTMxyw
@MTUCork_DSS were delighted to meet with staff in @sjf_charleville today to talk to them about our exciting Enabling Transitions Programme work as part of @SoarForAccess - great foundations for future work together hopefully! #transition #enablingtransition #PATH
Congratulations to last years 3rd year students who received their JCSP Student Profile of Achievement on Friday. Well done everyone @tmswineycclib 👏👏👏👏
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