This article is from page 104 of the 2008-10-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 104 JPG
THE Shannon Homework Club, which provides assistance for pri- mary school children, has just been relaunched for the coming year.
The club, which was set up three years ago, is hosted by the Family Resource Centre at Rineanna View.
Twenty-six children, between the ages of five and 12, attend the pro- gramme four days every week, and engage in a variety of activities.
The project is funded by the Health Service Executive, under the Travel- ler Health Initiative, and the focus 1s on healthy eating, while there is also an emphasis on physical exercise.
The Cul Kids Club meets on Mon- day and Tuesday evenings, while the homework club meets every Wednes-
day and Thursday evening.
SW ileMeDAVIOr-lOh (cmp rMOnhrsle (cre mB DOMNU(olO mE. way as all children get the opportu- nity to do their homework and also take part in activities.
Barbara Molloy co-ordinates the Monday and Tuesday groups and facilitates visits by the children to places of interest in Shannon, such as the fire station or leisure centre. The children also get the opportunity to engage in activities such as arts and crafts, drama and music.
Debbie O’Halloran-Browne co-or- dinates the homework section of the programme. She said the programme was initially set up in response to lo- cal feedback.
‘Members of the community iden- tified a need for an after schools club that wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.
It ran initially as a pilot scheme for one day a week. It then went to two days a week and the homework club was added as a result of feedback from children, last year,’ she said.
A number of children who are members of the Travelling commu- nity attend the club every week and this has greatly pleased the organ- isers. “It 1s about integration. They are keen to. be involved,’ said Ms O’Halloran-Browne.
“We were surprised by the feed- back. Children felt there was a lot going on at home and wanted to do their homework in a club like this,” she said.
Given that the club has gone from strength to strength over the past three years, its organisers are keen to attract volunteers.
“This programme has been a huge success with minimum input. We are depending on volunteers and fund- ing,’ she added.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact the Family Resource Centre in Shannon, where application forms are available.
“You need two references. Let us know why you would like to get involved and if you have child pro- tection training, that would be a bo- nus. Training will be offered,’ she added.