LCC Broadcast News Room

An hour of homework and then a kick around. This is the philosophy of the charity reachout who hold mentorship programmes for deprived kids from inner city schools.

The kids turn up to the Petchley academy in Hackney at five o clock after school where they receive one to one and group mentoring sessions to brush up on their maths and English skills. After this they go out on to the school playing grounds for some fresh air where they receive football lessons with a qualified coach.

Many of the volunteers at reach out started out as students mentoring kids at weekends and between studies. Reachout manager Peter Blackwell who was  a student volunteer says the scheme is mutually benefical. Its ideal for students who can develop their team leadership and organisation skills. And the kids appreciate the youthful approach of the volunteers making work time productive.

Many of the children who come to the reachout programme come from troubled backgrounds with as many as 50 per cent from single parent families. Its not just the lack of opportunties but also the basic structure at home to complete their homework and meet deadlines which are the fundamental building blocks of achievement.

Reachout aim to create that structure by getting the kids playing sport for an hour two days a week, then five a side football matches at the weekend. Peter Blackwell says that sport is a great way to raise energy levels which helps kids to develope a positive outlook.