Cork Lifelong Learning Festival Coordinator

Welcome to our new staff spotlight section which highlights the many services delivered by Cork City Council on a daily basis. 

In this edition of our staff spotlight, you'll get to know our Cork Lifelong Learning Festival Coordinator, James Leonard. 

Tell us about your job?

I am Cork Lifelong Learning Festival Coordinator. My job is to put on a festival that celebrates learning in all its forms, from the cradle to the grave, classroom, campus and community based. The festival is a focus for the community and education groups and institutions across the city. For many community projects, they plan for months to land their event during the festival. As coordinator, my role is to link with all the events hosts, about 400 events this year, take the event details, put it in a programme and promote it across the city.

How did you end up working as a Lifelong Learning Festival & Development Worker for Cork City Council?

I returned to education as mature student. I did a level 5 in Applied Psychology and Social Studies in the Cork College of Commerce in 2014-2015. I then did a BSocSc in Youth & Community Work and an MA in Criminology. I did a PhD for a year but didn’t like it, I much prefer to be out in the community than behind a desk. Over the years I worked various roles in the third sector in places like Cork Simon Community, team leader at Coolmine addiction service, social prescribing at Niche in Knocknaheeny, youth services at Cork ETB, and immediately before taking this post I was employed at UCC as a researcher. I was looking for a chance to get out of the academic work and back into the community so when this position came up I knew it was a great opportunity for me.

What does a typical day involve?

A typical day in my role involves planning and organising learning activities and events. I support and engage with event hosts through emails, phone calls and meetings in the community. I work closely with colleagues and community partners to coordinate programs, providing advice and guidance where possible and connecting with natural partners for collaborations or a sharing of resources or facilities. I handle admin tasks like emails, reports, and registrations, and I’m in regular contact with our booklet designer and printer. I help design new initiatives and improve existing learning opportunities.
Overall, my day blends organisation, collaboration, and hands-on community work.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Being out in the community, developing new ideas, supporting groups to achieve their goals, seeing community groups promote lifelong learning in their neighbourhoods. It’s a busy role with pressure points at certain times but when the festival is on and you see the joy and happiness it brings to communities across the city, its very rewarding. To be part of something that brings some positivity to the city on a large scale is a privilege.

What can make your job challenging at times?

For the festival events we receive them through Submit. There is a deadline. But some don’t like deadlines 😊. Receiving late submissions, getting requests for changes when the project is already with the printer, explaining to hosts that once you pass the deadline there are no guarantees that your changes can be made. That’s a small bit stressful!

What advice would you give your younger self?

Most of the obstacles in your way are in your head. You’re more able than you think. Go for it!