Children and young people in Strabane are set to benefit from new specialist learning resources after School of Thought CIC received £1,000 from Power NI’s Brighter Communities programme.
The funding will allow the educational support centre to expand its existing resources to include structured literacy materials, phonics intervention programmes, and decodable reading books.
The specialist tools are designed to make learning more accessible and engaging for children who may struggle with traditional teaching methods, helping them to build self-confidence and strengthen essential literacy and numeracy skills.
School of Thought CIC was established to provide tailored educational support for children and young people, working closely with families to deliver interventions based on individual learning needs. The centre also provides parent workshops, with these giving families practical tools to support learning at home.
Megan McMenamin, Founder of School of Thought CIC, said: “Every child’s learning trajectory is completely unique to them, which means a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work.
“I know that small-group intervention focused on a child’s specific individual needs is what delivers real results, and because we support learners of all ages across both English and Maths, ranging from children needing a confidence boost in core concepts to those navigating commonly missed challenges like dyslexia and dyscalculia, the need and cost for diverse, adaptable resources is vast.
“This £1,000 funding from Power NI adds directly to our growing range of concreate manipulatives, ensuring every child can interact with learning in the way that suits them best,” added Megan.
“My goal is to continually raise literacy and numeracy standards for every child and family we have the pleasure to work with in my local community and beyond, helping them build confidence while they reach their full potential, ensuring no child is denied opportunity because of educational disadvantage.”
The funding will enhance both the centre’s educational sessions and family support programmes, giving parents and carers additional resources to reinforce learning outside the classroom and create a more inclusive learning environment where every child can reach their full potential.
Ashleigh O’Neill, Power NI’s Senior Marketing and Communications Executive, said: “Our Brighter Communities programme is about supporting local organisations that make a meaningful difference to the lives of people across Northern Ireland.
“School of Thought NI CIC is helping children overcome barriers to learning, build confidence and access the support they need to succeed. We are proud to support a project that will have a lasting impact on both young people and their families.”
Power NI’s Brighter Communities programme supports community organisations right across Northern Ireland that are improving wellbeing, strengthening connections and helping local communities to thrive.
