'Passion for Learning' volunteers
Volunteering opportunities for Sixth Form students
We are a local Community Interest Company (not for profit) called Passion for Learning. We recruit, train, DBS check and place volunteers from the community to work with children in local primary schools. The kind of children our volunteers support come from a wide range of different backgrounds. Some are in need of extra support and encouragement for their learning, perhaps coming from the kind of homes where this is not routinely provided. Other children may have English as an additional language and need the opportunity to develop their spoken English with an interested, encouraging volunteer. Some children have suffered bereavement or are young carers. Some are on the autistic spectrum and struggle with social relationships at school. Others may struggle with shyness and need the enthusiasm and positive feedback from a nurturing adult (or young adult) to develop their confidence and self esteem. The challenges the children face are negatively impacting their ability to make progress at school, which may manifest itself in behaviour or attendance issues.We offer after-school Enrichment Clubs at St Clare’s in Lache on a Wednesday afternoon and at Highfield Primary in Blacon on a Friday afternoon. The Clubs run once a week, free of charge for the children attending, for an hour. Headteachers determine which children would most benefit from attending the Clubs, so we know we are reaching the children who are least likely to be engaging in other forms of enriching activities outside school.
The Clubs involve time spent chatting, enjoying a healthy snack, making a craft, playing games or getting involved with other activities we have organised for the children attending. Each Club has around 15 children attending and a good ratio of Volunteers to children. The atmosphere is good fun and informal, the children love attending and having the attention of the volunteers.
We would really value the support of your Sixth Formers at these Clubs, if they are interested to get involved. We provide training and a DBS check, along with appropriate direction and supervision while the Clubs are running. It’s a short time commitment, but one from which your students could really benefit in terms of the experience gained. We would also be open to discussing other volunteering opportunities with them, if working in education is something they are interested in exploring. In the last year, we had a very successful work placement with two students from West Cheshire College as well as a two undergraduates from Chester University. At the moment, we have three sixth formers from Whitby High School who volunteer at one of our Ellesmere Port Clubs.
Viv Couche
Director & Senior Support Worker
Passion for Learning CIC
Stanlaw Abbey Business Centre
Dover Drive
Ellesmere Port CH65 9BF
0151 356 8717
07976 552309