April 2021

The size and scope of the project that we undertook to support families during the pandemic resulted in a considerable increase in the size of the charity. In April 2021 our growing team moved to new premises to enable us to continue to provide resources to families and support our children wherever they were.

Our Story

August 2011

Passion for Learning was founded in August 2011 by Diane Clark. From the outset the intention was to train and support community volunteers to use play and enrichment to provide 1:1 support to primary school children helping them to fulfil their true potential. Starting from scratch with no office and few resources Passion for Learning worked to establish a strong reputation for bespoke support and a passion for excellence.

December 2018

Passion for Learning continued to grow as we increased our number of partner schools and the size of our volunteer team. In December 2018 we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, officially making us a charity.

May 2014

In May 2014 Passion for Learning became a Community Interest Company and acquired its first tiny office. Volunteer numbers increased allowing us to support more and more children. In September of the same year we opened our first after school Enrichment Clubs in three of our partner schools.

March 2020

In March 2020 our world changed with everyone else’s. Prior to lockdown the majority of our work took place in the school setting. During lockdown we mobilised to ensure that thousands of families throughout Cheshire and beyond had the support and resources that they needed to help their young families at home.

July & October 2021

In July 2021 the Steve Morgan Foundation gave us a minibus, opening doors to a much wider world for our children and families. In October 2021 we acquired additional premises in the centre of our Ellesmere Port community opening up a world of opportunity for providing imaginative new resources and activities for our children and families.

Present 2023

In 2023 we are once again supporting children with our fantastic team of volunteers. We now have 20 Enrichment Clubs including a reading club and a gardening club. The charity provides big events, trips, exciting activities and a wealth of bespoke support to projects throughout Cheshire. Our work to support families, including pre-school children, goes from strength to strength and our reach into the heart of our communities continues to grow.

Meet The Team

Martin

Chief Executive Officer

I have been privileged to work in education for almost 30 years. As a headteacher, I have led four primary schools in the Northwest of England. I have also spent a period of time working for Ofsted as an Her Majesty’s Inspector of Education.
My passion is working with children, to give them the opportunities to reach their full potential, having fun and experiencing unforgettable, magic moments along the way.
In my personal life, I have two grown up daughters, a grown up step-son and a wonderful partner, as well as a very boisterous lurcher called Rex. I am also a keen cyclist and triathlete who enjoys competing in Ironman events.

Sue

Education Development Manager

I started teaching in London over 30 years ago feeling privileged to nurture and inspire young children, challenging them to think, to ask questions and solve problems together and encouraging their creativity.
I left as Deputy Head and since then I have worked in several West Cheshire schools. During my many years in a Chester Primary School I worked across the age range and was SENCo, Assistant Head Teacher and most recently Interim Deputy.
Now I am delighted to work for Passion for Learning as Education Development Manager. My role is to develop innovative ways to enhance the life chances of the children and families that we support, and to develop learning resources to complement this.
In my personal life I have a son and a daughter and am kept busy with my young black Labrador. I love visiting new places, walking, reading, paddle-boarding and cycling.

Kirsty

Business & Finance Manager

I have over 35 years of finance and administration experience in various roles including HR, administration management and Credit Control. My Finance experience began in purchase ledger for CF Fertilizers based in Cheshire. I then moved on to First Response Finance where I supervised a team in the sub-prime collections department. For 18 years I managed a busy office for Concept Oils in Buckley where I oversaw HR, credit control and administrative duties for the regional depot. Since June 2022 I have been the Finance and Business Manager at Passion for Learning and am currently studying for my AAT level 3. In my spare time I enjoy long walks and socialising with my husband, our two daughters, family and friends.

Steve

Creative, Media and IT Co-ordinator

At 18 years old I Joined a luxury tour operator and over 20 years worked in Ticketing, System Development, IT Support and Event Planning, When lockdown hit the stars aligned and I had the opportunity to work for a charity doing events and character work for 12 months. After that year I was approached by Passion For Learning to work with the team and for this I wear many hats. I cover IT, head up the social media as well as planning events and lots of character work. I can be Jack Sparrow one minute and Superman the next. I consider myself very, lucky to be able to help children that need enrichment and fun. This really is my dream job and I love working here. In my spare time I love football and coach my sons’ team. Movies are my biggest interest, anything from making costumes to colleting and making props. In my spare time I do lookalike and character work which has taken me all over the world and allowed me to work on a Disney Hollywood whip cracking blockbuster. I have a fantastically supportive partner and a 13-year-old son who I adore. Family is the most important thing.

Louise

Volunteer Support Team Manager

I joined Passion for Learning as a Volunteer Manager in June 2019 before becoming Volunteer Support Team Manager in September 2022. Prior to this I was a Deputy Manager and SENDCO of a charity run pre-school. I have always been passionate about working with children and helping each individual to achieve their full potential. I feel privileged to be a part of the organisation, working alongside our wonderful team of volunteers and the children they support. I am mum to two wonderful grown up children and enjoy reading, cooking and walking in my spare time.

Catherine

Volunteer Support Manager

Working with young children has always been my passion and it has been expressed through many years teaching in primary schools here and abroad, raising my own family and in church children’s work and holiday clubs. After ‘time out’ to be at home with our two girls when younger, I began volunteering with Passion for Learning, and loved supporting children in school – helping them develop in confidence and self-esteem through activities, chat and play. I loved it so much I joined the team of Volunteer Support Managers and am excited to support other volunteers in giving their time, enthusiasm and expertise to children in local schools. There is nothing better than building a relationship with a child, and seeing them flourish and grow. Outside work I love all things creative and outdoors – singing, sewing, cooking, theatre, hill walking, camping and exploring abroad when I can.

Claire

Volunteer Support Manager

I have always worked in education, spending 20 years as a Primary School teacher in Cheshire. I loved being in the classroom, encouraging children to develop a love for learning and to explore their full potential.
After leaving full time teaching to devote more time to being a mum, I continued to work in education based roles, spending time as a Support Tutor, an Exams Invigilator and a Supported Internships Mentor.
I know first hand the value that Passion for Learning has, as my son worked with a PFL volunteer during his early years at Primary School.
I feel privileged to be able to share the PFL story with new volunteers, to enable more children to benefit from the support and experience they bring.
In my spare time, I love spending time with my family, being creative, swimming and visiting new places.

Mel

Fundraising and Development Manager

I joined the team after 12 years working in the Holiday Let industry and before that, travelling the world as cabin crew.

As a mum myself, I am passionate about encouraging children to explore their potential and trying new experiences they may not otherwise have; something we are privileged to do every day here at Passion for Learning.

No two days are ever the same here which I love! My role as Fundraising & Development Manager allows me to share the incredible impact the work our fantastic team do has on the individuals we support, to all our partners, funders & corporate sponsors.

Outside work I love walking with my friend’s family and my dog taking in sunrises and sunsets along the North Wales coast. I still love to travel and like to get away whenever I can ticking off places on my must see list as I go!

Lorraine

Enrichment Club Manager

I began as a volunteer at Passion for Learning in September 2017 at one of the Ellesmere Port Enrichment clubs, whilst I did my Level 3 Higher Teaching Assistant qualification at Cheshire College South and West. In April 2018, I progressed to Enrichment Club Supervisor for five Enrichment Clubs in Ellesmere Port and Chester. Through the Covid pandemic, I helped with the “virtual enrichment clubs” which led into my progressing into Enrichment Club Supervisor and Project Support. Before I worked at Passion for Learning, I worked over parts of main Europe in childcare occupations for 17 years. When I’m not in work I enjoy spending time with family and exploring new places around Great Britain.

Chloe

Enrichment Club Supervisor

In 2008, I Studied business and administration and started working at Cheshire West and Chester council in the Housing benefit department. After 2 years I was given an opportunity to move to Germany and work for the British Army. Nervously I decided to go and start a new life, Whilst there I worked for the Mehrwertsteuer department (German VAT) and Customs & Immigration supporting army personnel, I also worked as technical support for Microsoft, Bing Ads. I moved back to the UK in 2017 and In 2020 started with PFL as a 1 to 1 volunteer in schools, whilst studying children and young people's mental health. I love working with little ones and when the role of Enrichment club supervisor became available in 2022, I jumped at the chance and was fortunate enough to gain the position. In my personal life I am a mother to a wonderful young Son, you will often find us out on an adventure, having fun.

Rebecca

Enrichment Club Supervisor

Having had a near 15 year career in retail management doing various roles from E-Commerce, customer service, and managing training academies, I took redundancy from that sector in 2021 just before the birth of my son. Having previously volunteered for Passion for Learning I became an Enrichment Club Supervisor in November 2022 and what a privileged role it is. I thoroughly enjoy working with a diverse range of children and watching them reach their full potential. I love the work of Passion of Learning and really believe in our ethos and what we are striving to achieve. My spare time is devoted to spending time with my son and also volunteering in other projects that are close to my heart, particularly supporting women through their infant feeding journeys.

Sarah Finlay

Enrichment Club Supervisor

I have worked in the childcare sector for over 15 years including running my own holiday club. I had a break from the industry for a few years due to suffering from a breakdown when I had my youngest child (who is now 6). During this period I set up my own mental health charity for mums suffering from pre and post natal mental health challenges. I decided that I wanted to do more to fulfil my professional development and was given a fantastic opportunity to be an enrichment club supervisor. Working for Passion For Learning really aligns with and the ethos is something that makes me really passionate about my role. At the weekends you will find me running around after my 3 children taking them to their activities, if I’m really lucky and get some free time I enjoy going to gigs, restaurants and going for walks. I love going to the gym and for walk and talks as it really has a positive impact on my mental wellbeing.

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