THE Hive in Worcester, the public and university library and history centre, is planning to set up a code club for children this autumn in collaboration with local technology company Postcode Anywhere and is looking for experienced volunteers to help run it

Code Club is a not-for-profit nationwide network of volunteer-led after school coding clubs aimed at 9 – 11 year olds. Through volunteers, children are taught how to build websites, and develop games and animations and are reliant on volunteers with computer coding skills.

To get the club up and running The Hive is looking for volunteers with computer programming experience who can help set up and lead the hour-long sessions which will run once a week, after school during term time, beginning in late September.

The Hive’s business development manager Laura Worsfold explained: "We would welcome ‘professional developer’ volunteers who will have the experience and desire to lead the sessions. Code Club provides all the ‘user-friendly’ learning resources, which use Scratch initially, moving on to HTML and Python as the children progress. Free enhanced DBS checks, induction and other support can be obtained through the STEM Ambassador scheme at the University of Worcester.”

Diglis-headquartered technology company Postcode Anywhere, which is helping The Hive to set up the code club, has been a supporter of the network for two years and has sponsored several volunteer recruitment events in England and Wales.

Postcode Anywhere’s Chief Information Officer, Mike Cook, who is a STEM Ambassador and has also committed to becoming a code club volunteer, said: “Primary school children are fearless when it comes to embracing a new skill and Code Club is a great fun way to introduce them to computer coding at an early age as they grasp learning concepts quicker and retain that knowledge. Code club is not just beneficial for the children attending a session because volunteer mentors will get a lot out of the experience. Mentoring, advising and providing tutelage for children is a way to help individuals develop their own skills, build self- esteem and confidence.”

The Hive is looking for two or three experienced volunteers who could work on a rota basis, working alternate weeks to lead the Code Club sessions in term time.

Anyone interested should call the Business Support Team on 01905 765576 or visit http://www.thehiveworcester.org/jobs.html. Code club information and resources can be viewed at their website: http://www.codeclub.org.uk.