ELLESMERE PORT based charity Passion for Learning says it has never been busier since schools closed in March.

The charity has been providing fun learning resources to children and families who need it, and although some year groups have returned to school this week, the charity has helped deliver thousands of resources across Cheshire west.

CEO Diane Clark said: "In normal times, our work is carried out in schools by our committed band of volunteers, but since lockdown we’ve transformed how we work, keeping our focus on the children who will struggle the most with learning at home.

"It’s tough for all families but especially the ones who don’t have multiple devices for children to access online learning or whose children struggle with learning in the classroom.

"We are doing all we can to help families, providing learning resource packs which are designed to keep children enthused and engaged with learning at home.

"Having the basics of pens, paper, books, games, craft kits and activity packs is key to a successful learning environment at home.

"To date, we’ve distributed high quality, engaging resources to over 2,500 children across Cheshire west."

Ruth Dixon, enrichment clubs manager, added: "Since the announcement was made about the majority of children not going back to school before September, we’ve been ramping up our efforts to help families with the weeks ahead.

"When we published a page on our website for families to request the items that will help them with learning at home, we were deluged with enquiries.

"We are committed to responding to every single request and to doing all can to help families who need this the most.

"We are putting in place a structure now that will enable us to relaunch the request form on the website. That way we can continue to support families across Cheshire west who don’t have the resources they need to help their children with learning."

Development manager Viv Couche added: "We are so grateful to the funders who’ve enabled us to achieve so much in the months since schools closed.

"The Westminster Foundation recently confirmed their support to us in the form of a long-term grant, which is vital to our growth as a charity.

"We are immediately looking to take on an operations manager, not least to help us with delivering the ambitious projects we’ve got planned this summer."

Diane Clark concluded: "We recognise that one of the main impacts on children from schools being closed is on their emotional wellbeing.

"We are very focused on providing children with the kind of games and activities which the whole family can enjoy, to make the most of the summer months when hopefully the weather will be kind.

"Keeping children active and occupied is one of the best ways we can help keep them emotionally well and ready for the schools to return in the autumn term.

"I am hugely grateful to everyone who had played a part in our efforts, from funders to businesses, volunteers to my dedicated staff team. Their help and commitment has been vital and I’m truly proud of what we’ve achieved to date."

Passion for Learning welcomes enquiries from anyone interested to know more about its work or how to get involved. For more information, email diane.clark@passion-for-learning.com.