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 MOREDon't forget, our Try SETU for Mature Students event is next week! #SETU #InspiringFutures
🗓️| Tues 21 March
🕐| 10am - 12.30pm
📍| Kilkenny Road Campus, Carlow R93 V960
https://t.co/jdsNiIeoU9
Congratulations @MEND_CC @BredaHogan4 @LMCDART
Huge congrats to the @MEND_CC steering group, including our own @BredaHogan4 @LMCDART, on winning the @aontas #STARAward for 3rd Level Access & Engagement for their “Whidden Workshops: It’s Kushti to Rokker” initiative. #createyourworld #ALF23
Congratulations to the inaugural Certificate in Community Based Mentoring graduates! A wonderful celebration for outstanding Mentors. Fantastic university-community collaboration with @corklearning Learning Neighbourhoods @CorkMigrant @SoarForAccess @UCC @MTUCork_Access @ACEUCC
4As part of our International Women's Day 2023 celebration, we asked our Lifelong Learning team to send us in some inspirational quotes from women they admire. Here is a selection. #IWD #IWD2023 #InternationalWomensDay #InternationalWomensDay2023
4Community Collaboration at its best!!
A wonderful celebratory evening last night in @UCC for the awarding of certs to the inaugural graduates of @SoarForAccess CPD Certificate in Community- Based Mentoring. Such an inspiring group of people who do phenomenal work in their local communities 👏 4
Congratulations @deborahoniah and Arife! @SoarForAccess are so proud to support such wonderful Community Mentors and Leaders at @CorkMigrant
Big congratulations to our two Saoirse Executives @deborahoniah and Arife Hysaj for their graduation as Community Mentors @SoarForAccess @UCC @MTUCork_Access @ACEUCC https://t.co/yT38ITclQr
Mature students considering a return to education are jumping at the opportunity to take their place on SETU's 'TRY SETU for mature applicants’. #SETU #InspiringFutures
📅 | Wed 15 March
🕐 | 9.30am to 3pm
📍 | Cork Road Campus, Waterford
https://t.co/H7C7Mr8Aso
TNC and @CCJHRlawucc launch report on the implementation of the Public sector equality and human rights duty for the Traveller Community. UCC on tue 28th Feb 2pm. Book on eventbrite.#IHRECSupported #HumanRights #TravellersRights #PublicSectorDuty https://t.co/rkGgIOlUPb
As a teacher from the Travelling community I cannot emphasize enough how important representation is for minority children. As a child, I wished that I could see my identity represented positively in the classroom and now as a teacher I get to do that for every child I teach🥺
@SoarForAccess
We were delighted to welcome prospective mature students to the @MTU_ie Bishopstown Campus last night for our #CAO Info Session. Great to see MTU staff in attendance as well! If you have any additional queries, email mature.studentcork@mtu.ie The CAO deadline is 1st Feb at 5pm
4Student Service's own Hugh Ryan was delighted to be invited to the Tullow Traveller Women’s Group Launch of the Certificate in Learning to Learn at Third Level.
@SETUIreland
@EDI_SETU
@EDI_WIT
@setulllcarlow
#setu
A fantastic opportunity to lead the implementation of a Traveller Education Strategy with @tvgcorkclg. @SoarForAccess are proud to support and collaborate on this exciting initiative.
#jobfairy Interested in social justice & education? TVG is looking for an Education Strategy Coordinator. For info on this full-time job & how to apply visit: https://t.co/dssCl7WFz8 delighted to offer this opportunity proudly supported by @SoarForAccess & NTRIS through @dcediy
A wonderful event showcasing and celebrating incredible initiatives across our Learning City. Thank you @corkcitycouncil @corklearning for a great evening. #corkloveslearning
Its all go here at the @corklearning Lifelong Learning Awards. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners! #corkloveslearning @corkcitycouncil @CorkKerryCH 2
A great collaborative @SoarForAccess initiative between @MTU_ie & @UCC in conjunction with learning neighbourhoods & community partners. A special mention to our mentors who do amazing work in communities right across the city! 👏 #PATH #succeedingtogether https://t.co/WYB5emymdd
Congratulations @Oeiny can’t wait to see it!
Delighted to see it about to be off out into the wide world :) https://t.co/RHsJa0cthG
Hurry!!! 1916 Bursary closes at 5pm today!!! Last chance to apply, double check your online application and upload all supporting docs. @UCC @SETUIreland @MTU_ie @UCCSU @MTU_CorkSU @MTUSU_Kerry @SETUSU_WD @setusu_cw https://t.co/znRCYZ8SHt
1916 Bursary is now open!! @UCC @SETUIreland @itcarlow @waterfordit @MTU_ie students apply at https://t.co/znRCYYQJtl
How can the 1916 Bursary support your third level journey, let's hear from @SETUIreland student Danielle
https://t.co/N32yjka7Q5
Congratulations @amojo_me richly deserved!!
I am delighted to have been awarded the Daniel and Margaret Cronin Advancing Access PhD Scholarship in UCC to work on role of gut microbiome in Parkinson’s. My thanks to @ASNeuro, @OKeeffe_GW, @deisemartin, @OliveByrne3 and everyone for their role in making it possible🙏🏾🙌🏾🖤.
How can a 1916 Bursary support your third level journey? Let's hear from Tea, Applied Psychology, @UCC - 1916 Bursary Testimon... https://t.co/gWF16HHtPh via @YouTube
Calling all first-time undergraduate entrants to @MTU_ie @itcarlow @waterfordit @UCC Check out the 1916 Bursary Explained - Who is it for and what could it do for me? https://t.co/nxE5odnnym via @YouTube
Greatest respect and love for @RebekahLBrennan sharing her journey with @2NorriesPodcast. @SoarForAccess are blessed to have this strong, intelligent, compassionate woman lead our research, inspiring and empowering others on her way.
New Episode Out Tomorrow! 🙌
✨ Our Guest - REBEKAH BRENNAN ✨
🎓 Rebekah is as Lecturer and Researcher in Substance Use/Community Development in UCC.
#2norries #cork #ireland #singleparent #bullying #sexualharrasment #education #mother
I'm preparing to run @dublinmarathon in 4 weeks Training ongoing for some months & is on track. I'm doing it to raise funds for Shooting Star Cancer Support unit in Wrexham where my mother receives ❤️ care & support on her journey.
It's the least I can do
https://t.co/CHaqQBvnCJ
How can the 1916 Bursary support your third level journey? Let's hear from awardee Patryk, MTU Cork Campus. @MTU_ie @SETUIreland @UCC students can now apply at https://t.co/znRCYYQJtl
https://t.co/sN9drylKYX
#1916Bursary
Well done @RebekahLBrennan and Angie Costello on your session presenting your findings in the @SoarForAccess project tonight. A great relationship with SETU Carlow and huge benefits for our local schools. https://t.co/lSfboxTUVC
Great collaboration between @itcarlow @setulllcarlow and @CentreLaois to bring Assistive Technology into classrooms enabling learning, enabling transitions for all students.
I am speaking tonight at a @CentreLaois @itcarlow webinar to present the @SoarForAccess research findings on Assistive Technology in the Classroom. Everybody, with all our diverse needs, should be supported to reach their full potential in the education system
@setulllcarlow @hea_irl @TiglinIreland @SETUIreland @SimonHarrisTD @DeptofFHed This is a great initiative. Well done to all involved!
"The Daniel & Margaret Cronin Advancing Access Scholarship will support one suitable qualified doctoral candidate intending to pursue full-time research in any discipline in UCC"
Application Deadline
Monday 29th August 2022 - 5pm
#AccessUCC #PLUSProgramme #UCC
@UCC
@UCCPLUS https://t.co/QMswsM1gtL
69 million unspent on Traveller accommodation since 2000. AVAILABLE BUT UNSPENT! We need our allies to hold your LA, Cllrs accountable. We need you to demand with us a
NATIONAL TRAVELLER ACCOMMODATION AUTHORITY. We only been demanding it for decades help us get it.
AHEAD Ireland & UCD ALL are partnering up to undertake the biggest ever national roll out of the #UDLbadge from @ForumTL @aheadireland @UCDforALL targeting #ThisIsFET & #HigherEducation staff this Oct-Dec. Sign up to be part of the UDL movement - https://t.co/fqTBOt3R3R #UDL
A fantastic initiative well done!
Well done Sally and Celina & all the amazing Traveller women who made this possible! Bunclody Traveller group restore local holy well as part of SETU supported project - https://t.co/E9QcLtzjzN. @SoarForAccess https://t.co/jDCkjwul8v
📢We're hiring!!🥳#jobfairy🥳Role for a talented COMM's person to lead, develop & engage our communications channels; connecting priority communities, stakeholders, policy makers & funders details here:
https://t.co/tQJ5HITIhY
https://t.co/3sg7izkVVx
Applications are open for the Daniel & Margaret Cronin Advancing Access Scholarship; aimed at PhD candidates from under-represented socio-economic backgrounds . For more info see: https://t.co/5pIUx2erqt
#AccessUCC #PLUSProgramme #UCCPLUS #Scholarship @UCC #UCC
No shock or surprise here,hopefully as the resounding evidence of institutional racism in Ireland is raised publicly our settled allies, friends, neighbours and families will say enough is enough and demand positive change for Travellers in Ireland from current government https://t.co/FtO1P2PTc7
Tusla and DCEDIY have secured Dormant Accounts funding to provide a Bursary Scheme to young adults who have had a care experience of at least 6 months and are aged between 18 and 30 years old. More info here: https://t.co/xVisEtjtCK. Well done @tusla @BernardGloster
On Sunday after all of our 400 runners have completed @TheCorkMarathon we will present two people with the 'Tony Power Sanctuary Runner of the Year Medal' for 2022 to thank those who have given us so much & to remember a great man taken too soon who championed our work always.
2Four incredible students from @CorkETB Colleges of FET sat in front of camera + shared their experiences, challenges and successes of college, their own pathway through education + of working with @access_ucc
Look out for their stories soon.
#ThankYou Amy, Jamie, Angel and David
Breda spoke at a great event today. The launch of the National Traveller Mabs 'Financial guide to college' held in Dublin. This guide will be made available from the @MTUCork_Access offices if you'd like a digital or paper copy please contact us.
2👏👏👏Congratulations and well done to all. Another fantastic Traveller-led initiative. @MTU_Kerry and @KerryTravellers partnership proudly supported by @SoarForAccess under @HEAaccess PATH 3. @ValMoore1432 @TomFarrelly
Congratulations to the students from the Traveller Community finished the Cert in Mentoring in Education. Christina Boland, Traveller Access Officer, co-ordinated the programme. She also completed it with Katie Coffey, Traveller Access Officer for Junior Cycle. @SoarForAccess
Mary Crilly is to receive the freedom of Cork, and we’re terribly lucky to have her. https://t.co/GJcnM5el5l
CARLOW CAMPUS CELEBRATION.
We invited staff and students in each of our SETU campuses to celebrate yesterday. We were delighted to welcome Minister Harris and Prof Veronica on campus also. #SETU #InspiringFutures
#ThrowbackThursdays to last week when 21 fabulous Traveller women graduated from UCC! https://t.co/qaDWt4RCIg via @FacebookWatch Thanks to @VirginMediaNews @SoarForAccess @ACEUCC @UCCIreland and all the graduate and lecturers for an unforgettable experience!
@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?
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