The Learning Hub works in partnership with parents, education providers, statutory agencies and the wider Limerick community to provide a safe, welcoming and inspiring learning environment where young people can reach their true potential. We deliver a wide range of educational programmes throughout the year, encouraging curiosity, a love of learning, creativity, healthy living and environmental sustainability.
Last year, 2023, over 36,816 visitors came to the Learning Hub to engage in various activities and to use our facilities. We serve over 1000 children, young people and families on average each week with many involved in multiple activities during and after the school day ends.
We prioritize children attending local DEIS schools but aim to reserve over 40% of our place for children from other areas of the city attending non DEIS schools also. We have a waiting list for many of our after school programmes and registration happens in early September each year.
We are based in Kileely. We are 10 mins walk from the city centre and have a wonderful view of the Shannon.
More information about the Learning Hub is available on the Charities Regulator website.
History
Learning Hub Limerick was founded as a charitable company limited by guarantee in September 2006. Learning Hub Limerick was formed with an overall aim of working in partnership with local education providers, families and young people to develop and implement practical and solution focused responses to the very high levels of educational disadvantage and early school leaving experienced by local communities on the Northside of Limerick City. Originally called Northside Learning Hub, in 2011 the name was changed to Learning Hub Limerick. Although first preference is given to children from the immediate and surrounding area, children and young people come from all over the city to avail of our services.
Background
For a number of years prior to the inception of the Learning Hub local partners worked together to establish how the facilities donated to the Hub* (and held in educational trust) could be developed to make a real impact on the educational landscape.
A Steering Group was established to scope out the overall mission of the project and proceeded to engage the consultants 80:20 to carry out a consultative process with local communities, schools and young people to establish the main aim of any new project to be based on this site. Very quickly, a consensus formed.
The Learning Hub should concentrate on working to address the high levels of educational disadvantage and the early school leaving experienced locally.
*The Learning Hub buildings and grounds have been generously donated by the St Martin’s Centre Trust and Salesian Order and are held in educational trust.