Mayor and Mayoress visit Learning Club

Wardleworth Community Centre Learning Club Open Day was an opportunity for Mayor Mohammed Zaman, Mayoress Naaira Zaman, Tony Lloyd MP, Cllr Sultan Ali and Cllr Ali Ahmed to meet learners, parents and members of the management committee on Saturday 24 November at Wardleworth Community Centre.

Wardleworth Community Centre runs a programme to enrich and supplement children's schooling from the ages of 9-16. The Learning Club attracts over 50 local children.

Mohammed Miah, Wardleworth Community Centre manager said: “Our Learning Club was a finalist in Rochdale Diversity Awards 2017 and Rochdale Borough Sports & Culture Awards 2017 as a Community and Educational Project. The club is supported by local schools including Falinge Park High School.

“The aim of this club is to nurture confidence, prepare children to handle challenges at school, prepare them for life in general, learn about respect, prepare children to pass exams and keep up with school work and to improve their all-round academic achievements.

“The project develops essential skills and knowledge to enable young people to do well in core subjects maths, English and science at school which will help them attain better GCSE results and beyond.

“This initiative has benefited the children of the area immensely and the management committee will continue this project to enable our children to excel and become efficient leaders of the future.

“Thanks to BBC Children In Need funding we provide qualified teachers to teach the core subjects. The majority of our students are from the catchment area of central Rochdale, which is one of the most deprived areas in Rochdale, and initiatives like this will help not just the children but the schools too.

 

 

Mayor Mohammed Zaman said: “I want to thank the teachers and management committee for delivering this valuable programme at Wardleworth Community Centre.

“This is a true example of community partnership in empowering young people to make a real difference.”

Mohammed Miah said: “We want all children, regardless of background, to benefit from a good education. This is to assist young people, mainly from the BME community, to raise their attainment levels, address the challenges that young people face, build skills and resilience, empower them and extend their choices in life.

“Malcom X famously said ‘Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today’.”

Central Rochdale ward Councillor Ali for said: “It was fabulous to see youngsters of 8-15 years old actually enjoying studying, doing homework, I was impressed by the tutors and members of the community helping learners as mentors, this is a prime example of the community taking the initiative.

"The local authority continues to face harsh austerity cuts to funding but is still managing to support community projects albeit with reduced funding. I feel that this is real investment for the future as it empowers the community in a meaningful way."

Chairperson of WardleworthCommunity Centre, Mr Shaukat Ali congratulated all participants and their families for supporting this initiative and thanked the Councillors, Mayor Cllr Zaman and Tony Lloyd MP for attending the open day which will inspire teachers, parents and above all the students.

He said: “I am concerned about the proposal by the Council to cut funding by 50% in 2019, any further funding cut will have the greatest impact on many of the services we provide at the centre and it will be difficult to sustain.”