ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

Yvonne Byrne

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

My own personal journey does not end with this course. This course and the Mental Health Awareness module has begun my path towards my end goal; with such information, advice and guidance I am forever grateful for the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. Even with such a difficult time of Covid19, I was able to receive a positive education in the comfort of my own home. I am disappointed I could not engage with the public during weeks of placement; however, I know the extra information disseminated during that time will stand to me in my career as it progresses. I am grateful for the insight and knowledge I now possess from this course and will not only implement it in a professional manner but also personally. Life comes with hardships and while it has no instructions; I strongly believe we all deserve the necessary tools and guidance to deal with any and all challenges we face. Thank you BCFE.

Gloria Odigie

Family Carer

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

Hello all, I am Gloria Odigie, a family carer, I just finished studying Advance Social Care, Level 6, SVC, Ballyfermot College of Further Education. I returned to college having put my Nursing on hold to care for my loved ones. This course is an asset to me in that it has transformed my entire life about social model of caring for a client on a person-centred approach having believed in biomedical model approach for patients’ treatment and recovery for several years. I have come to understand that social care entails a multi-disciplinary team of holistic plan for a child, young people, and individual. My learning experience about the issues of mental health illnesses and various treatment approaches, care of people with disabilities and how to support them to self-care, independence, and recovery with the enablement to conquer the societal stigma, labelling, discrimination is of great benefit to me. Talking about rehabilitation of people with disability, the trainings, programs, education, along with awareness campaign does really support and promote social inclusion. The importance of self-care and setting a realistic goal for a better future cannot be over-emphasised because skills development helped me in all my academic works. I look forward to supporting children, young people, adults and their families with practical assistance and emotional support of a holistic approach that uses their strengths, talent, and gifts rather than their disabilities. I appreciate all my classmates, tutors, and the entire staff of this college for their inclusiveness. I will recommend Ballyfermot College for anyone wishing to further educate themselves. Thank all.

Dean Marshall

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

I am currently studying my Level 6 Advanced Cert in Social Studies in Ballyfermot College, approaching the end of the college year brings time for reflection both personal and professional and in that reflection, I have looked at how accommodating this college has been to my needs as to the needs of my classmates. Studying during the time of covid isn’t an easy task although the team at BCFE have evolved completely to the situation and have made necessary arrangements to suit students such as extension deadlines on assignments, shorter classes to reflect the needs of parents within the class and have provided elements of wellbeing, positive mental health and a high quality of care to all students during times of stress, unease and uncertainty and I could not recommend this college enough to others.

Roisin Meenan

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

I completed the Social and Vocational Integration QQI Level 6 course in 2020. I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in BCFE and believe that it is a fantastic college. The support and encouragement myself and my fellow classmates received from the course coordinator and lecturers throughout the year was outstanding! This course pointed me in the right direction in terms of what I wanted to do with my future. It gave me a taste of so many different aspects of social care; and although the workload could be tough sometimes, the lecturers were always there for high quality support and guidance. I highly recommend this course as between the course content, the exceptional lecturers and the welcoming and social environment within the college, it was a wonderful experience and I have grown both as an individual and as a professional because of it.

I am currently doing a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Care in Technological University Dublin, Tallaght Campus.

Michelle McAuley

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

My name is Michelle McAuley and I am a graduate of the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Social Care. I think this year has been the hardest year for anyone to go back to college specifically those who’ve had a long break from education. It’s a dense course packed with information and a lot of assignments but the staff here at BCFE are so good to us. From extending deadlines, responding to emails and helping us on every single part we needed. This course covers a wide variety of topics needed to help integrate those who wish to further educate themselves or those who wish to get a job within the sector.

Oluwafunmilayo (La’Fun) Ayibiowu

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

I am a female that knows what I want in life and I pursue it whole heartedly. I am a mum, wife, sister and someone’s daughter. I love telling stories and making music and I have a lot of experience of life.

By studying the Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced at BCFE, I gained invaluable knowledge in Social Studies, Mental Health Awareness, Rehabilitation Practice, Personal and Professional Development, Disability Awareness, Person Cantered Planning, Learning Difficulty Awareness, and Communications. I have added to my toolkit and all the roles I have are enhanced. I believe I have acquired the necessary tools to support my own mental health as well as the mental health of others and I ready to use my compassion in a person-centred capacity helping others in any social care setting.

Kim Manley Killeen

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

I commenced the Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced course in Sept 2019 as a mature student. At the beginning I was somewhat nervous as I had not been in a classroom setting since my leaving cert in 2004.  The teachers I had were extremely patient, helpful and informative. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ballyfermot College, made friends for life and learned all sorts of nuggets of wisdom from my classes. Would highly recommend this course to anybody. 

Nosa Osarenkhoe 

Social Care Worker

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

The Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced course helped me to know more about people, about intellectual disabilities, and holistic care as well as applying a person centered Approach.

There is a Work Experience element to this course. I did my placement at a Community Centre. The service users I worked with there were youths that are between 11 years to 17 years of age who had behavioural challenges. Additionally I worked with people who have autism ranging from 14 to 19 years of age. I enjoyed working with all service users.

I would recommend this course to anyone who would like to work directly helping people.