About Paul O’Raw
Community Development Work – Career & Influences
I have over 25 years’ experience in community development: working with organisations, supporting them to identify their key challenges and to prepare strategic plans. As an independent trainer and facilitator, I develop training programmes and facilitate workshops on behalf of local development companies, local authorities, agencies and independent organisations involved in the community and voluntary sector.
Prior to working freelance I was employed as a community development officer with a number of organisations.
Rural
I was the Community Development Coordinator with South Kerry Development Partnership for 14 years. This role focussed on addressing social exclusion through building community organisations and networks, in close cooperation with various agencies.
Urban
I supported the development of community projects in Local Authority Housing Estates in Dublin for over 10 years (Loughlinstown and North Clondalkin). I developed and coordinated schemes and projects that assisted the long-term unemployed develop skills and confidence, while also providing valuable services to the local communities.
Overseas Development
As an Overseas Development Volunteer I supported the establishment and development of a rural credit union in an isolated community in Ecuador, South America. This enabled local people to avail of affordable loans for agriculture, small business, health and education.
Training & Development
- Facilitation skills training with Partners Training for Transformation
- Facilitation skills training with Meitheal Training,
- FETAC 6 Train The Trainer
- NUI Maynooth; Diploma in Continuing Education and BA (Hons 1st) in Community Studies
- Certificate in Mediation Skills and member of Mediators Institute of Ireland
- Orientation progamme in overseas development work – Viatores Christi
- Certificate in Development Studies – Development Studies Centre
- Lego Serious Play Certified Facilitator
- Member International Association of Facilitators.
Approach
- Facilitating teams, groups and communities to learn, to reflect, to plan, and to grow,
- Use of creative methods to ensure training is enjoyable and effective,
- Experiential learning; drawing on the experience of the group,
- Group work that facilitates the participation and contribution of all,
- Facilitating consensus and ownership of outcomes,
- Promoting inclusive and sustainable communities.
Feasibility study for recreation area development with Pinewood Residents Association, Killarney
The four pillars underpinning this approach
Task and Process
Groups and Organisations under the Surface
The Learning Cycle
A Creative Space
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