Queen’s Students’ Union’s Homework Clubs initiative continues to make a meaningful impact in communities across Belfast by supporting children and young people living in areas of educational underachievement. With vital support this year from the CiviContribution Fund, the project has expanded its reach, deepened partnerships, and delivered valuable learning and development opportunities for both participants and student volunteers.

During the 2024/25 academic year, around 150 Queen’s student volunteers provided weekly homework and study support to over 400 children and young people across 16 partner clubs. Located in areas facing significant educational challenges, these clubs offer more than academic support - they create safe, positive spaces where children can build confidence, develop study skills, and feel inspired to pursue further and higher education.

Volunteers act as role models, engaging children in informal conversation and recreational activities alongside homework help. Their diverse backgrounds also promote cultural understanding, particularly in clubs supporting children from refugee and asylum-seeker communities, such as those led by the NI Somali Association and Horn of Africa Peoples Aid NI.

Homework Clubs are a collaborative effort between Queen’s Students’ Union and a wide network of schools, youth groups and community organisations, including Belfast City Council, East Belfast Mission, and Divis Youth Project. This year, support from the CiviContribution Fund has strengthened relationships with external partners and enabled deeper engagement with local communities.

Student volunteers are recruited and trained at the start of each semester, with additional skills development sessions offered throughout the year. The Students’ Union also provides ongoing support and recognition for volunteers, including access to the Queen’s Future-Ready Award.

CiviContribution funding has helped support a range of activities in 2024/25:

• Volunteer recruitment, training, and development

• Community celebration events, including ‘graduation’ days for children featuring fun science activities and award ceremonies

• Volunteer recognition events to acknowledge their contributions

• Resources and stationery to enhance learning environments at partner clubs

These celebration events not only recognise the children’s progress, but also help raise aspirations by bringing young learners onto the Queen’s campus, some for the first time.

Informal feedback so far has been extremely positive. Volunteers have highlighted the personal satisfaction of making a community impact, while club coordinators have praised the meaningful support students bring to their work.

Looking to 2025/26, the Homework Clubs team plans to expand the initiative further, developing new partnerships with youth organisations and schools across Belfast. The support from the CiviContribution Fund has also led to closer collaboration with the Civic Engagement Team at Queen’s, laying the groundwork for continued joint efforts to reduce inequality and support young people’s educational journeys.