Suas Mentoring Programme

Suas is a movement dedicated to supporting quality education in under resourced communities, with Programmes in Ireland, India and Kenya.

The Suas Mentoring Programme works in partnership with community organisations and schools nationwide, as well as the Suas Societies and alumni network to support quality holistic education in Ireland.

Why Mentoring in Ireland?

At this time of economic uncertainty, those from disadvantaged communities face an increased risk of being left behind by the education system.

Research has shown that:

Children from disadvantaged communities make up the majority of those who fail to benefit from the education system
‘Minority language children’ ... do consistently less well than their classmates

Some statistics:

An estimated 1000 children do not transfer from primary to secondary school every year. (Reference)
1 in 3 children from a disadvantaged area leaves primary school with literacy difficulties every year (Reference)
For 50% of Travellers, primary school education is the highest level achieved (Reference)

There is a need for extra educational support, to ensure that those at a disadvantage are supported to get maximum benefit from the education system.

What is the Suas Mentoring Programme?

The Suas Mentoring Programme offers support to people at the margins of the education system. It has two aims:

To address educational disadvantage and promote social inclusion in Ireland.
To develop a network of informed, engaged, active citizens across Ireland.

The Mentoring Programme works in partnership with a network of 7 community organisations and schools as well as the Suas Societies and alumni network across Dublin, Cork and Galway.

In the 09/10 academic year, 261 people from marginalised and under-resourced communities benefited from Suas Mentoring Projects supported by 150 young volunteers.

Who benefits from the Suas Mentoring Programme?

The programme works with three groups:

Children from designated disadvantaged schools
Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Travellers

Getting Involved

For more information about becoming a mentor and the projects available on your campus this year, click here

More Information

Click here to download a detailed overview of the Suas Mentoring Programme. For further information please contact us on 01-6621410.

Joe Ronan, Mentor and students at DCU Sport Ed, in partnership with the Aisling Project, Ballymun

[The children's] self esteem can only have improved as they were given so much one to one attention, throughout all aspects of the programme. This in turn leads a child to feel more confident going to school, because they know they have their work done, and done well."
Micheal Cleár, Aisling Project, DCU Sports Education Programme, Dublin

"[I liked] dancing, homework and dinner. I liked dancing because it was fun. I like homework because I love learning."
Participant, DCU Sports Education Programme, Dublin

Kieran Nandakumar, Mentor and a Participant
Homework Club at Lisbrook House in Galway, with Galway Refugee Support Group

"I got so much out of it; I learned so much about myself, developed so many skills and learned about other cultures."
NUIG Mentor, Suas Homework Club, Galway

Cormac Mealy, Mentor and Filippo Aghito, Participant
English Language Tuition in Belvedere College Dublin, with Jesuit Refugee Service

"Allows my son and I to integrate in Ireland and have opportunity of learning English more."
Participant, TCD English Language Support Programme, Dublin

"This project has helped between 20-30 children in our school to do their homework in a safe environment and know that they will start the next school day on a good footing."
Teacher, O'Connells Primary School, Dublin

In Ireland