Mayfield Learning Neighbourhood

Over the past year, the Mayfield Learning Neighbourhood committee has been cheering up the local community with their ‘Mayfield Plants Positivity’ campaign. This campaign was carried out by Mayfield Learning Neighbourhoods with the support of Churchfield Community Trust and Beech Hill Garden Centre. Together the organisations made and arranged pots of flowers that were distributed throughout the community. A sign with a positive affirmation was included in each planter. This campaign was a positive and colourful addition to the community during a challenging year.

As part of this year's Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, the Mayfield Learning Neighbourhood launched their ‘Neighbourhood University’ programme in the Frank O’ Connor Library. The Neighbourhood University programme is a seven week lecture series that commenced in early May. This programme provides participants with a taster of a variety of third level subjects with input from lecturers from both University College Cork and Munster Technological University. The lectures were held locally in the Mayfield area as the programme aims to encourage people to sample higher education in a local setting. The course is non assessed so there is no exams or assignments necessary. The programme was open to all irrespective of educational background. Twelve local participants took place in the programme over the seven week period. The participants enjoyed this learning experience with all participants stating that this course has inspired them to engage in further learning.

Mayfield Learning Neighbourhood is made up of a diverse group of individuals and organisations who have come together to celebrate learning in our community. Awarded Learning Neighbourhood status in 2017, Mayfield has undertaken a wide variety of initiatives to highlight how people access, participate and are empowered by learning in our community.

Our flagship event is the Mayfield Learning EXPO. This event, organised by the Learning Neighbourhood Steering Group, showcases all of what Mayfield and the surrounding areas have to offer. With over 60 community and education organisations represented at the event, people access, sign up to and experience all of what is on offer in the area including sports, music, adult education, gardening and flower arranging to name but a few.

We are looking forward to EXPO during the Lifelong Learning Festival. Other projects and events we have hosted include the Faces of Learning Photography Exhibition and Cork Learnings Cities Celebration Days.