Press release -
Batley Post Office Launches Homework Club With Mike Wood MP
- Winners of Post Office Community Enterprise Fund launch children’s homework club and IT facilities
- 48 children already registered to attend
- Mike Wood MP, local schools, Learn.org and subpostmaster unite in community spirit
Batley Post Office has launched a weekly homework club for local children who could benefit from additional support with their school work. On Sunday 27th April the club will host its sixth class with special guest Mike Wood MP from 13.00 – 14.00pm.
Funded by a grant from the Post Office Community Enterprise Fund, Batley Post Office has teamed up with Learn.org to host weekly literacy and numeracy classes that compliment children’s school work. Every Sunday Batley Post Office transforms into a classroom to host two sessions between the hours of 12.00 – 16.00pm. The classes are aimed at children in years 5 and 6 and cost just £2 including a healthy lunch.
Since installing IT facilities in his branch subpostmaster Ismail Loonat also plans to tackle social isolation and empower older residents with IT skills by hosting free “Get Online” events and e-learning courses.
Batley and Spen MP, Mike Wood, said:
“I fully support and congratulate Ismail on his hard work setting up this fantastic club for the children of Batley. I understand local schools have shown their support for the project and it is wonderful how the community is working together to offer new services and make a positive difference.”
Ismail Loonat, subpostmaster of Batley Post Office, said:
“It is great to see what a difference the classes are making to the children. Just last week I had a conversation with some teachers from local primary schools and they told me how they have already seen an improvement in pupils’ work. I was delighted to hear such positive feedback and to know Batley Post Office is making a real difference to the lives of children in our community. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us and helped to make this project a success, especially MP Mike Wood, Yusuf Mayat of Learn.org, Ebrahim Dockrat Head of Relationships Skills Funding Agency and our local primary schools.”
Yusuf Mayet, Deputy Chair of Learn.org, said:
“Learn.org are delighted to work in partnership with community volunteers, local schools and subpostmaster Ismail Loonat to design and deliver literacy and numeracy materials to support local children with their school work. Batley Post Office holds an important place in the community and is well placed to offer additional support.”
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For more information contact:
Ellie Austin
Post Office Communications Team
Tel: 0207 0123 107
ellie.b.austin@postoffice.co.uk
Batley Post Office is one of 25 Post Office branches across England chosen as recipients of a grant worth up to £10,000 from the Community Enterprise Fund for their outstanding plans to support local people and businesses, and to tackle isolation amongst the elderly.
Other schemes include providing free Wi-Fi access and IT training, and the creation of a walled garden where disabled community members can develop gardening skills. All of the schemes are not-for-profit, but which provide a service or activity which is easily accessible and open to all.
With over 99% of the population living within three miles of a Post Office, the Post Office is uniquely placed to support communities. In many communities across England, particularly those which are more rural, subpostmasters in Post Office branches already play an important role and go the extra mile to get involved in local activities and services.
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About the Post Office
The Post Office (Post Office Limited) has an unrivalled national network of over 11,500 branches across the UK, more than all the high street banks combined, and sits at the heart of communities in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. The Post Office has made a commitment to maintaining its network of branches at its current size and reach. It provides around 170 different products and services spanning financial services including savings, insurance, loans, mortgages and credit cards; Government services; telephony; foreign currency; travel insurance and mail services.
The Post Office serves over 17 million customers a week and a third of small businesses. Some 99.7% of the total population live within three miles of a post office and over 97% live with one mile of a post office. For many rural communities, the post office is the only retail outlet. Post Offices branches remain highly valued and trusted, and are the focal point of many communities. For more information, visit http://www.postoffice.co.uk/.
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