In September, children and young people from F.U.S.E. Youth Club attended their first sessions of a newly set up homework club at West Hendon Baptist Church. Barnet Homes, Middlesex University and Metropolitan Thames Valley joined forces to support local children and young people to improve their skills, build their confidence and raise their aspirations about the future.
School children from year four to year nine, attend the homework club every Wednesday for an hour and have the opportunity to study in a supportive environment with the help of tutors from Middlesex University. Young people may not always have the opportunity to complete their homework at home, and the club provides them with a calm space to concentrate and receive one to one support.
The project has been funded by Barnet Homes’ Covid-19 Recovery Fund and supported by Metropolitan Thames Valley. Thanks to Middlesex University they have been able to recruit local student ambassadors to run the sessions. Additionally, Middlesex Uni will also be running two interactive sessions, one to support parents and another to provide career guidance to the secondary year cohort.
“The sessions at FUSE have been very enjoyable, both for students and youth workers, as well as for me. Kids are very polite and enthusiastic about studying and learning more. They ask for exercises and games to revise their studies, and we always try to prepare funny activities so that they can learn while enjoying themselves. We aim to create a healthy environment where they can talk to us, make new friends and relax a bit from studies. I am very happy so far with my position at FUSE and I completely support this amazing project.”
Sandos Baker, Tutor and Middlesex University Student Ambassador
“We are very glad that this term we have been able to launch the homework club in West Hendon, during a time when we know it is needed the most. With children and young people getting back into the rhythm of school after an extended period of time. We are so proud to be able to provide this support to them” Harriet Boamah, F.U.S.E
“Middlesex Uni is delighted to partner with Barnet Homes, Metropolitan Thames Valley and the team at F.U.S.E. to develop a weekly homework club on the West Hendon estate. The sustainability of our local community is at the heart of our university’s strategic vision and we are immensely proud of our students who have been providing academic support and working alongside the young people living on the West Hendon estate. Collaborative projects like this are vital in empowering young people to overcome barriers and we are grateful for the opportunity to remind our local residents of the civic role we play in the community.” Elita Eliades, Head of Education Liaison and Outreach at Middlesex University