Welcome to Conway Education Centre

Conway Education Centre (CEC) is a unique community-based education centre situated on the interface between the Falls Road and the Shankill Road in West Belfast. The Centre provides learning opportunities to adult learners, young people and children, it provides a range of volunteering opportunities to gain valuable work experience, be active in the community and make new friends.

Our mission

To empower people through providing learning opportunities in a supportive environment and transform lives through learning.

Our goals

  • Supporting the development and regeneration of the local community through learning and capacity building and providing opportunities for educational progression
  • Championing community education as a tool for community engagement 
  • Contributing to improved health and wellbeing of the local community
  • Actively promoting a creative and safe reflective space to facilitate community dialogue, cultural expression and creative problem solving.

Conway Education Centre  provides a safe and supportive environment for learning opportunities, enabling local people to improve their confidence and skills in order to fulfil their potential, enhance their chances of employment, and participate in the development of their community.  CEC has a strong track record of providing value for money.  We are accountable and transparent and we have a core commitment to our learners. One of our key strengths is our learner-centred approach. We use a variety of evaluation and impact measuring tools, engaging all our stakeholders, to ensure our services are effective and resources are spent efficiently.  Conway Education Centre is embedded in the local community infrastructure and is an active member of the West Belfast Partnership Board, Neighbourhood Regeneration groups and the Greater Falls Family Support Hub. We work in partnership with the Belfast Metropolitan College, University of Ulster, Queens University and the Open University.  Hundreds of people a year are re-connected with education at CEC, gaining meaning qualifications and life-skills.  Our youngest learner is 7 and the oldest is 81 years of age. The centre makes a significant contribution to social inclusion and community cohesion of the area.

Conway Education Centre started in 1982, an initiative of local people responding to the need for opportunities for people to educate themselves.  The initiative found accommodation in a disused Linen Mill which had just been bought by a group of community activists. Committed volunteers cleared the rubbish, put cardboard in front of broken windows and put up stud-walls to create classrooms. Volunteer teachers started classes in Philosophy, English, Maths and Politics.   From these early beginnings, CEC has grown into a recognised charitable organisation, well known in the community for its supportive and encouraging environment, excellent learner support and wide range of  courses.
 

Our new education programme for September 2023 is out!

You can enrol online, or call in to our office and enrol in person. Enrolment for Essential Skills courses is on Thursdays only, between 10am and 3pm. Enrolment for ESOL courses starts on Wednesday 23rd of August.  We are looking forward to seeing you soon.

Queen Rania of Jordan visits Conway Education Centre

Celebrating 30 Years

Gallery