'Great for the brain' - Letterkenny's Kate Sweeney (70s) completes NWRC course

A student who began learning body massage in her 70s hopes her journey will inspire others to consider part-time study.

Kate Sweeney from Letterkenny has just completed the Level 3 Certificate in Body Massage at North West Regional College (NWRC) and says studying is “great for the brain at any age.”

With a career that includes working in a bank, a nightclub, and running her own gym and beauty salon, Kate is far from slowing down. In fact, she’s already planning her next move — a part-time course in reflexology or sports massage in September 2025. Kate says it’s important to keep your mind active and embrace new skills. 

She added: “I’ve had an interest in health and wellbeing all my life, and I enjoy going to Yoga and Pilates classes. I previously taught exercise and keep-fit and wanted to learn Sports Massage therapy, which requires the Level 3 qualification in body massage first.”

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The Level 3 course, held one night a week at NWRC’s Strand Road campus, challenged Kate in a positive way.

“Attending classes during the dark winter evenings pushed me out of my comfort zone,” she explained. “Our lecturer, Siobhan Cusack, was marvellous — nothing was ever too much. The class was made up of people of all ages, and besides the learning, the social element was important. We all helped each other.

“I hope that people would look at my experience, it would give them the confidence to learn something new.”

Courses in body massage are available at campuses in Strand Road, Limavady and Strabane.

NWRC has just opened applications for part-time courses starting from September 2025, ranging from beekeeping, cabin crew, fast track in IT, songwriting, cyber security, bookkeeping, introduction to YouTube, Halloween make-up, baby massage, flower arranging, GCSE Science, Maths and English and much more.  

With hundreds of courses to choose from, local people are being encouraged to take the plunge at learning something new, try a new hobby. Or upskill to help them progress on their chosen career paths. 

There are huge benefits to studying for a qualification part-time. Not only can you continue to work while you study, but a part-time course will allow you to juggle earning with learning, offering a viable alternative for those who can’t commit to full-time courses.

To ensure a place on popular courses starting this September, applicants are encouraged to apply early. The College also offers reduced fees for those receiving certain benefits, making education accessible to all income levels.

For those who have been out of education for some time, returning to learning may be a daunting prospect, but with its fantastic facilities and student support services, the College aims to make the learning experience as positive as possible for learners of all ages.  

Course information is now available to view online, where you can also apply online. 

Businesses and individuals interested in Skills Funding can get more information by emailing businesssupport@nwrc.ac.uk