The homework club has been running since the middle of July and was set up to enable young people to have a quiet place to do homework and also an opportunity for those young people awaiting ESOL classes to learn some English.
The club has been a great success. We have started slowly with 6 regulars and the emphasis being ESOL. Two students already access education and wanted a chance to recap, the others had no esol classes and this was their first chance to learn English in a formal environment. The club is run by volunteers with support from paid staff from SMILE and the Children's Society LEAP project.
With the advent of colleges returning from the summer we have had different people coming. Yesterday two young women arrived wanting help with homework - they give an overwhelming list of requests - science, geography, Shakespeare. The volunteer dealing with them smiles bravely 'I'll do my best!'
Another bonus for this club is an opportunity for isolated young people to have a chance to socialise with people in a similar position to themselves. One young man has no friends of his age and was very pleased to bump into another Iranian boy whom he had met in initial accommodation and had since lost contact.
To finish - one of the volunteers visiting the club for the first time sent me an email this morning saying: "Just to let you know i had a fantastic time at the homework club. I came out of there feeling so elated. The three guys were lovely to work with and showed such appreciation. I can't wait to get started [with my mentee]"
Homework club meets every Monday 4 - 5.30pm. To make a referral or to volunteer contact Iona (see website contact page)