AN Ellesmere Port charity is seeking extra volunteer support as it works to help children be ready to go back to school in September.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been felt greatly on the education sector, with many school year groups unable to be at school for nearly six months.

Charity Passion for Learning says some children during that time struggled to learn at home, whether because of lacking technology, motivation or a host of other issues affecting their ability to learn.

Members of the charity have, since March, been providing children with the resources they needed to keep learning while schools were closed.

With funding from Steve Morgan Foundation, Westminster Foundation, Cheshire Community Foundation and CWaC, Passion for Learning has committed thousands of pounds to supporting children who lacked the resources they needed to learn from home.

CEO Diane Clark said: "We have so many kids who haven't got a crayon, let alone a computer or an iPad. coronavirus and the ensuing school closures have exposed the utter lack of resources available to deprived pupils in Cheshire."

Ruth Dixon, enrichment clubs manager at Passion for Learning, witnessed first hand what a huge difference the resource deliveries made to families across Cheshire.

She said: "We've received such lovely messages from parents who've really struggled to keep their children occupied and learning while schools have been closed.

"It's clear that the thousands of deliveries we've made have had a huge impact for the families who needed them the most."

Now, Passion for Learning is focused on helping children as they return to school, providing volunteer-led support to help recover the vital months of learning they've missed since March.

Whether it's helping with reading, with developing confidence by chatting with the children and playing games, there are so many ways the Passion for Learning volunteer team makes a difference to the communities most in need of this additional support.

Louise Parry, volunteer manager, said: "It's true to say we will need more volunteers than ever before to help the children most affected by school closures.

"While we are so grateful to our loyal volunteers who are committed to returning to schools in the autumn, to help children with 1:1 sessions and our after-school Enrichment Clubs, we urgently need many more volunteers to meet the expected demand.

"Volunteers don't need to have prior experience and we recruit people from all walks of life."

Diane added: "We are a nurturing and inclusive organisation who pride ourselves on how we treat our volunteers like family, with regular social events and ongoing support.

"I would urge anyone interested in finding out more about what's involved to get in touch with us.

"We are particularly keen to hear from people living in or close to Ellesmere Port, Winsford, Northwich, Knutsford and Chester.

"My email address is diane.clark@passion-for-learning.com and our office number is 0151 356 8717.'

Viv Couche, development manager at the charity, concluded: "Speaking as someone who began as a volunteer with Passion for Learning nearly eight years ago, I can honestly say it's the most rewarding and inspiring experience.

"To have the chance to make a difference to a child's life and help them to fulfil their true potential as an adult, is simply incredible.

"Please get in touch with us if you can help in some way, we will be delighted to hear from you."

For more information, visit www.passion-for-learning.com or https://www.facebook.com/PassionforLearningCheshire/