Stephen Timms MP attended an out-of-school education project for children for the presentation of certificates to recognise their achievement.

Newham Recorder: MP Stephen Timms talks to Mahima Malik, 8 and Muhammad Saneem, 7.MP Stephen Timms talks to Mahima Malik, 8 and Muhammad Saneem, 7. (Image: Archant)

Mr Timms met with more than 20 pupils at St Edmunds Church in Forest Gate on January 25 as they received their awards.

The children have been receiving tuition from the Newham Community Development Society, a start-up voluntary group that seeks to help children improve their English and Maths skills.

Mr Timms said he enjoyed the presentation and said it is important to ensure young people in Newham are able to take a share of the benefits of the borough’s changes following the London Olympics in 2012.

He said: I welcome initiatives like the Newham Community Development Society, because they help to prepare young people in the borough to make the most of the opportunities which are now emerging.

“The children I spoke to told me they enjoyed coming to the classes, and they found it a real help to be able to discuss their school work with the volunteer teachers.”

Moyeed Chowdhury, 59, secretary of the NCDS and resident of Katherine Road, said: “We are so grateful Stephen Timms gave us time and we do appreciate that he has come.

“We are very thankful to him in supporting our work to develop the children’s skills in English and Maths.”

The NCDS was set up in May 2013 and is applying for grants to support its work.

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