St James’ Park, Strawberry Place, Newcastle

The Learning Centre at Newcastle United was set up in 1998 to deliver the Playing for Success Programme – an after school project aiming to help underachieving pupils (10 – 14 yr olds) improve in ICT, English and Mathematics while at the same time increasing confidence, motivation and independent learning. Using football as a theme, pupils undertake projects such as video making, 3D animation and computer game design.

The sessions are very much hands-on and the children are supported by learning mentors and volunteers. Pupils attend with their school for 8 sessions culminating in a celebration event for those who have completed the course.

Volunteer Roles:

1. Support Tutor
Meeting and greeting pupils when they arrive and escorting them into the centre. Support pupils in learning activities, giving encouragement and direction on an individual level leading to working with small groups for certain activities. Organise refreshment breaks with pupils.

2. Graphic Design / Web Designer
Generate displays to highlight the work of the centre for both print and screen. Digitise learning resources to be accesses electronically.

Benefits to Volunteers: There are short term tangible benefits, such as a stadium tour and a Newcastle United track suit as a uniform but there are also much longer lasting benefits too.

Volunteering at NUFC learning centre is a great opportunity for anyone considering teaching as a career as it provides excellent opportunities for working alongside young people. It also gives you an opportunity to see how innovative technologies can be used creatively to engage young people in learning.

We are looking to offer accreditation for those volunteers who wish to have formal recognition for their work. This is a high profile and successful project which will stand out on anyone’s CV.

Interested? Contact us.