EVE Plantmarket: Courses for people experiencing mental health difficulties

The EVE Plantmarket is a programme run by the HSE that offers courses to adults who experience mental health difficulties who have the potential to move onto further training or employment.

Their courses are community-based and recovery-oriented, helping to give people a new sense of self-esteem and confidence while introducing structure, new skills, and opportunities.

If you want to learn more, find out about their information day at the end of this article.

EVE Plantmarket courses

There are three full time courses available for adults who have experienced mental health difficulties.

These courses will award you with a QQI qualification, give you experience setting and achieving goals, and allow you to build up skills for moving on to more training or employment.

The courses will include project work, social outings and trips, and a personal development programme. 

Employability Skills (QQI Level 3)

This is a portfolio based course, with more emphasis on individual development in a stress-free environment. The course runs for 18 months.

This course is perfect for anyone with a limited education or have been out of work for a long time.

Modules include:

• Communications
• Computer Literacy
• Career Preparation
• Application of Numbers
• Health Related Fitness
• Personal Effectiveness

On completion of the course, you will receive a QQ1 Level 3 qualification.

Horticulture (QQI Level 4)

This course is ideal for anyone interested in gardening or working outdoors. The course will be delivered in a stress-free environement with an emphasis on individual development.

This course runs for 24 months.

The course is made up of 80% practical work and 20% theory. Modules include:

• Horticulture Tools & Machinery
• Plant Propagation
• Safe Horticulture Practice
• Horticulture Science
• Plant ID Care & Maintenance
• Growing Vegetables
• Work Experience
• Customer Service
• Team Working

This could allow you to progress onto employment at a garden centre, in landscaping, in vegetable production, and other areas.

You will receive a QQI Level 4 qualification on completion of the course.

Retail Practice (QQI Level 5)

This course will give you the skills and experience for working in retail, ideal for someone interested in working in business or retail. You will gain practical skills and experience for the retail sector.

This course runs for 24 months.

A Level 3 certificate or Junior certificate is the minimum entry requirement for this course.

The course includes project and portfolio work, with modules in:

• Retail Display
• Retail Selling Literacy
• Customer Service
• Marketing Practice
• Communications
• Word Processing
• Work Experience
• Safety & Health

This course, along with your work experience, can allow you to progress into work as a sales assistant, customer service, floor staff, or a trainee buyer. You could also have the opportunity to progress onto further education.

Completing this course will award you with a QQI Level 5 qualification, the same level as Leaving Cert.

How EVE Plantmarket courses work

These courses are continuous intake, meaning there is no set start and end date – you can begin whenever it suits you best. 

These courses are full time, running from 9am-4pm Monday – Thursday and 9am-1:30pm on a Friday.

Their policy is to provide courses in a stress-free, recovery oriented environment to help participants get the most out of their course.

What about my social welfare payments?

You will switch to an ETB Training Allowance, which will be the same amount as your social welfare allowance. All of your other entitlements, such a rent allowance or medical cards, will remain in place while you’re on ETB Training Allowance.

There is a €20 training bonus for people taking these courses, along with a travel allowance for those who may be entitled to one.

Meals are provided free of charge.

Who can apply?

Anyone over the age of 18 who has experienced a mental health difficulty can apply for these courses. See the individual course descriptions for any other entry requirements.

Information Day: September 2019

EVE Plantmarket will be having their open day on the 10th of September between 10am and 2pm.