The Computer Clubhouse

 

The Computer Clubhouse is a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of The Liberties in Dublin 8. Each day remarkable things happen when volunteers from around the world come to share their skills and experiences with young people, age 8-18 years. Doors open at 3pm to the arrival of the energetic members, who all live locally, from James Street across to School Street and down to Oliver Bond.

 

It is an after-school youth service providing rich learning experiences for young people through technology. Each day the young members eagerly work on the latest project they have imagined. Lack of know-how doesn’t stop their inquisitive minds from imagining the craziest ideas as they sit self-assured knowing a team of expert volunteers, who they call Mentors, are on hand to help them turn their ideas into reality.

 

 

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Computer Clubhouse programme and one-to-one mentoring is the key to its success. Each volunteer brings their own unique perspective of the world into the Clubhouse, ultimately leading to a change in the young people’s perspectives. Volunteer mentors become key role models and form relationships with the young people who in turn build confidence in themselves to follow their passion and reach their potential. Volunteers become coaches, catalysts and consultants encouraging and inspiring each young person to express themself creatively.

 

 

In 2006, I was fortunate to land a job at the SWICN Computer Clubhouse that combined my passion for technology and people. I graduated with a MSc. in Multimedia from Dublin City University and a B.A. in Fine Art from Limerick School of Art and Design where I developed a serious passion for new media and discovering ways to encourage social interaction through the use of technology. Working with people is another key ingredient to keeping me happy!

 

 

The Computer Clubhouse is run by the South West Inner City Network (SWICN) and was launched in 2003 with support from the City of Dublin Youth Services Board (CDYSB) and Media Lab Europe. CDYSB core fund the project since 2010 and it is one of the key programmes of SWICN Youth Service.

 

It provides a safe, creative and free after-school learning environment where young people, 8-18 years, work with adult mentors to explore their own ideas, develop skills, and build confidence in themselves and learn to express themselves through the use of technology.

 

The Computer Clubhouse is part of a global network and is based on a best practice model for technology enhanced after-school learning. The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network was established in 1993 by MIT Media Lab in collaboration with the Boston Museum of Science and has grown globally to over 105 Clubhouses in over 20 countries.

 

 

 

The Computer Clubhouse has a dynamic Volunteer Programme with three distinct strands: 

1. General Volunteers: those that find us, typically through Dublin South City Volunteer Centre. These volunteers often provide long term commitment.

2. Student Volunteers: partnerships developed with third level colleges, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology, National College of Ireland and Trinity College Dublin. We also host up to 6 work placements for international students per year through programmes such as Leonardo or English language schools.

3. Advisory Volunteers: high level support for the development of the youth service and organisation.

 

During the academic year, September to May, over 35 volunteers per week work face-to-face mentoring the young people, for 2-3 hours per week each.

 

One-to-one mentoring by volunteers is core to the Computer Clubhouse model of learning and they truly are the lifeblood of the organisation.

 

 

People volunteer for all sorts of reasons from purely altruistic, to gaining work experience, to learning English or simply a need to get involved in a socially conscious project. Whatever the reason, the benefits to the organisation are huge.

 

I believe that if every person volunteered a percentage of their time each year we could achieve a fair civil society that nurtures each citizen to contribute and participate to the best of their ability.