Localise & Service Learning

What is Community Service Learning?

Community Service Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that combines meaningful community service with instruction and reflection, enriching the participants' learning experience while teaching civic responsibility and strengthening local communities.

The Localise Community Service Learning Programme

The Localise Community Service Learning model provides  a structure in which both, young people and adults, can explore their talents and skills and use them in the service of others. The programme combines experiential learning methodologies with our nearly 40 years of community work experience. The challenge starts with an easy to use and effective 10 week Community Service Learning programme that engages young people in meaningful community work and it can be run on an ongoing basis in after schools settings and as a community project. Some of our Localise groups have been in existance for over 25 years!

In the formal education sector, the Localise Community Service Learning is a method of connecting classroom lessons with meaningful service to the community. The Localise programme can be applied across a variety of subjects from secondary school through third level. In the present economic climate, the programme can provide a practical solution to local community needs - students ask the question "how can we be of service?" and their communities will provide the answers!

For example, a group of first year secondary school pupils studying CSPE may visit and tidy their local elderly day care centre as part of their action project; engineering university students may use their skills and expertise to design and renovate the local homeless shelter. Whatever the focus, Localise Community Service Learning benefits the school, the community and the young people involved.