Lurgan based educational support service moves online

Studyseed CIC are normally based in Bleary Business and Community Centre, where they run after-school classes as well as providing special educational needs (SEN) support and study skills workshops in schools and youth centres across Craigavon.

Due to COVID-19, the ABC Council closed the centre on March 18. Determined to not have their students facing increased stress, the social enterprise was able to continue with its classes online. Students are engaging well with this new platform for learning and parents are adapting quickly too.

Following school closures, parents have been reporting on the pressure of homeschooling children, and it is apparent that many students are overwhelmed with the workload they have been given - along with the format, new routine, and often a lack of guidance too. Parents in the local area have been reaching out to Studyseed CIC and are seeking more support than ever before.

Jayne Hamilton, Director of Studyseed CIC said: “We have been trying to come up with new and innovative ways to get more consistency into our students’ new day-to-day normal. Parents have been struggling to get a new routine with their children being at home all the time and we’re trying to support them by providing daily lessons where children can learn and engage with their friends as they would in school. This is why we launched My Study Routine, which is an opportunity to learn every day with Studyseed.

“The purpose of this is to help bring routine, and structure to our students’ days.”

Siofra Frost, Studyseed CIC Director added: “As a social enterprise, we’re trying to make this form of educational support available to as many local families as possible, which is why we have started to offer sessions for 30, 45 and 60 minutes.”

The social enterprise is currently putting a programme in place that will also provide the children of local frontline workers with free tuition support if they need it.

More information on these services can be found on their website at www.studyseed.co.uk.