Connect with us
Limericks Gateway to Education Limericks Gateway to Education

award

Limerick’s Gateway to Education becomes the first organisation in the Munster Region to be awarded with SOLA’s PQASSO Quality Mark

Limericks Gateway to Education CEO and Founder, Suzanne Roche (middle) pictured with Dermot O’Donnell, SOLA Quality and Governance and Federation of Ireland Development Manager (left), and SOLA accessor John Wilson (right) – picture taken before social distancing.

Limerick’s Gateway to Education becomes the first organisation in the Munster Region to be awarded with SOLA’s PQASSO Quality Mark

Limericks Gateway to Education has become the first organisation in the Munster Region to be awarded with SOLA’s PQASSO Quality Mark. CEO and Founder of Limerick’s Gateway to Education Suzanne Roche and her team have worked in partnership with SOLA over the past six months in order to achieve this Quality Mark, putting in great effort to meet the strict criteria of the Charity Sector Standard.

SOLA is a unique partnership between the Disability Federation of Ireland, the University of Limerick, and Johnson & Johnson, and it is based at the University of Limerick. SOLA’s aim is to empower individuals and organisations in the community and voluntary sector by engaging in research, education, and training to implement proven governance standards and sustainable quality systems. SOLA provides a suite of 4 QQI Level 8 modules as well as a range of group training courses on Improving Quality.


advertisement




advertisement




advertisement




advertisement




advertisement



Limericks Gateway to Education was established in 2012 in the midst of the recession, with the aim of assisting with the financial hardship of sending children back to school. They operate from a premises in Limerick City, and provide books, uniforms, and other school necessities at largely discounted rates, for those who can least afford it. 

CEO of and Founder of Limerick’s Gateway to Education, Suzanne Roche, says that Gateway to Education are strong advocates of working with individuals who have disabilities, helping them conquer the daily challenges that life can throw their way. As they grow older, the Gateway to Education assists these individuals in finding their place in the world.

Suzanne said, “It was December 2019 when I was invited to speak at the SOLA Symposium in the University of Limerick, to share my view on working with people who had a disability at Gateway to Education. As we are affiliated with agencies like Headways, Employability Limerick, Daughters of Charity, to name but a few, and it was in our interest to implement the PQASSO quality mark in line with the charity governance code.”

“It required 4 months preparing documentation, proof of compliance and interviewing staff and board members to fulfil our duty of compliance, as well as covering the day-to-day running of the project. As CEO, at the start of each year, I revise what will put the project on a higher footing so I am delighted to receive approvement recently. And the fact that we are the first in Munster to do so is absolutely amazing for all involved,” Suzanne added.

For more information on Limerick’s Gateway to Education, click here.

For more stories on Limerick’s Gateway to Education, click here.

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.