Fiona Gallagher and Sandra Gowran, Coolmine Community School, Clonsilla, Dublin

An exciting initiative is currently underway at Coolmine Community School, introducing students to the idea of voluntary work and promoting awareness of poverty. Our students are engaged in a number of projects in the local community, including homework support at the Mountview Neighbourhood Youth Project and Olympic handball training in Mulhuddart. Through this project, our students are developing partnerships with local community development groups. They are supporting those who deal directly with the results of the poverty and social exclusion that affect so many people in Ireland.

The educational value for students engaging with such groups is enormous. They learn about problem-solving, capacity-building and empowerment, as well as gaining an increased awareness of their local areas. Often, students get to know the people behind the statistics about poverty. The project also involves school-based time, exploring the nature, causes and effects of poverty and the unequal distribution of power and wealth in society.

Our students are working with groups that serve the needs of those who experience social exclusion. In their turn, community groups are beginning to recognise that our school is a resource for practical help and, in time, political advocacy. We hope that the bonds will grow stronger over the years.

For further information on the Coolmines project contact TYP@coolmines.ie. If you have an interesting Transition Year project at your school, send the details to lholden@irish-times.ie