LGTE Homework Club Calling for Volunteers from UL

LGTE Homework Club – Pictured is Sharon Fitzgerald, Board member of Limerick Gateway to Education, Suzanne Roche, Founder and CEO of Limerick Gateway to Education with Philip King, manager of Plassey Village from UL Campus. Picture: Holly Kenny / ilovelimerick 

Limerick Gateway to Education is asking if any students from the University of Limerick would be interested in volunteering to tutor children attending their LGTE Homework Club.

Pictured is Sharon Fitzgerald, Board member of Limerick Gateway to Education, Suzanne Roche, Founder and CEO of Limerick Gateway to Education. Picture: Holly Kenny / ilovelimerick

LGTE are trying to get as many volunteers from UL as possible to give two hours a week on, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 4:30-6:30pm. The induction day for new volunteers 2016/2017 takes place on Tuesday, September 13th at 6pm at Plassey Village Hall. Volunteers are garda vetted through the project and they’re given an induction night to give them background information on the project.

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“We do one on one tuition, advice and encouragement and kind of a buddy system in place. That is looked over by volunteers who are attending UL and are possibly involved in the President’s Volunteering Award and they get a certificate at the end of the year with a gold, silver or bronze award.” Said Suzanne Roche, Founder and CEO of Limerick’s Gateway to Education.

The demand from parents who want their children to attend Homework Club is increasing every year. Therefore it is vital that Limerick’s Gateway to Education can get as many volunteers from UL as possible in order to accommodate one on one tuition for each child to make sure they get the best experience from the project.

The children will come into Plassey Village Hall on UL campus for help on their homework or studies from a UL student. The children would range between 6-17 years of age, accommodating both primary and secondary school children.

Pictured is Sharon Fitzgerald, Board member of Limerick Gateway to Education, Suzanne Roche, Founder and CEO of Limerick Gateway to Education with Philip King, manager of Plassey Village from UL Campus outside Plassey Village Hall where the Homework Club is based. Picture: Holly Kenny / ilovelimerick

The Homework Club is there to facilitate any child in Limerick county who has difficulty engaging in a subject in school or have trouble learning in school. It’s all about supporting the children and helping them in their studies but to also give them encouragement and confidence in themselves and their work.

“Our mission statement is to facilitate and encourage full participation in education.” Said Sharon Fitzgerald, Board member of Limerick’s Gateway to Education. “Our vision in Limerick’s Gateway to Education addresses social and economic barriers to education. Everybody should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

“Not every student learns at the same level, so its just a matter of adapting the course or the subject to suit the child rather than adapting the child to suit the course. Not everyone learns the same way or at the same speed.” Said Michelle Heenan, Front of House for Limerick’s Gateway to Education Homework Club. “In the homework club it’s not what homework they have to do first. It’s ‘what can we help you with?’ we’re here to service you and we’re here to help you out.”

University of Limerick have facilitated spaces to LGTE over the years so that Homework Club can take place. Firstly, it was placed in Dromroe Village but now the services have moved to Plassey Village. “Campus Life Services are delighted to sponsor and support Limerick’s Gateway to Education over the last 2 years.” said Philip King, Manager of Plassey Village in UL. “We are more than happy to assist the Gateway to education program and look forward to developing and building a long lasting relationship with Suzanne and LGTE team.”

Pictured is Sharon Fitzgerald, Board member of Limerick Gateway to Education, Suzanne Roche, Founder and CEO of Limerick Gateway to Education with Philip King, manager of Plassey Village from UL Campus inside Plassey Village Hall. Picture: Holly Kenny / ilovelimerick

Over the last four years, parents have been thrilled with the Homework Club from Limerick’s Gateway to Education. Sharon Fitzgerald works closely with Limerick’s Gateway to Educations’ social media. “The feedback from parents is fantastic. You will hear absolutely amazing comments back about how their children have been helped, not just with their study but their confidence and self esteem and the willingness to keep going on toward third level education and that’s the most important thing to us.”

The Parents/Children induction day for Homework Club is on Tuesday, September 20, takes place in Plassey Village Hall at 4:30pm where children will meet their mentors from UL for the year ahead.

Suzanne Roche hopes that the Homework Club will continue to expand. Plassey Village Hall can accommodate a certain number of children so Suzanne hopes to continue to grow Homework Club and increase the number of tutors and have bigger space.

LGTE Homework Club also provide an Arts and Crafts space for the primary school students. If any parents or families have arts and crafts items that could be used or school books please donate them to Limerick’s Gateway to Education shop on 9 Wickham Street

If you are interested in volunteering or having your child involved in Homework Club please contact LGTE Homework Club on (061) 481 633

You can also contact through email on [email protected]

Follow LGTE Homework Club on Facebook here.

Follow Limerick Gateway to Education on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For our story about how you can donate school books to LGTE from I Love Limerick click here.

Watch the video below to find out more about Limerick’s Gateway to Education.