For Hackney and Waltham Forest residents

It's important for everyone to protect themselves and others from the spread of infectious diseases like the flu and COVID-19. One way to do this is by getting vaccinated. The flu vaccine can help protect you from getting the flu, and the COVID-19 booster can help protect you from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.

Both Hackney and Waltham Forest are offering services to help people access the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine

This is great news, as it makes it easier for people to protect themselves and their loved ones from these potentially dangerous illnesses.

How to access both services

To access the services in Hackney and Waltham Forest, simply visit your local GP or pharmacy. You can do this by using the national booking system. They will be able to provide you with the necessary vaccines and booster shots. You may also be eligible to receive these vaccines for free, depending on your age and health status.

It's important to remember that vaccines are safe and effective. They have been extensively tested and are regularly monitored by health authorities to ensure their safety and success. It has also been confirmed that it is safe to have both flu and covid vaccine at the same time, however they need to be booked separately. Getting vaccinated can help protect not only yourself, but also those around you who may be more vulnerable to serious illness, such as older adults and people with underlying health conditions.

In conclusion, protecting ourselves and others from infectious diseases like the flu and COVID-19 is important. By accessing the services offered by Hackney and Waltham Forest, we can easily get the vaccines and booster shots we need to stay healthy and reduce the spread of these illnesses.

Veronica Gianelli

Experience from these past two years has taught us that cold weather is not our best ally in limiting the spread of diseases. Colds, flu cases, and other respiratory illnesses are more common in colder months. ELATT intends to raise awareness on how to protect yourself from COVID-19-according to UK Health Security Agency guidelines. We also care about the people in our community and want to spread as much knowledge as possible to give everyone equal access of knowledge to important information on protecting oneself but also others surrounding.

Guess what! If you are considered vulnerable or related to someone considered vulnerable, it is the perfect chance to let you and them know that the NHS will soon offer covid-19 autumn boosters!

Now, what does this mean for you?

If you are 50 years and older, resident in a care home for older people, aged five years and over in a clinical risk group, or have a weakened immune system, expect to be offered a COVID-19 Autumn Booster between September and December!

Why do I need an Autumn Booster?

• To build your protection against severe illness before this winter
• To reduce risk of being admitted to the hospital with COVID-19

Are you a Tower Hamlets resident? If so, where can I get my booster?

The Autumn Booster is accessible among many pharmacies throughout Tower Hamlets Borough. Whether you live in Whitechapel, Bethnal Green or Mile End, Canary Wharf, or Aldgate, you might live next door to a pharmacy that offers consultations and vaccinations. You can view the list of pharmacies in Tower Hamlets below:

Pharmacies (COVID-19 Consultations and *Vaccinations):

• *Chapel Pharmacy | 139 Cannon Street, E1 2LX (MSOA: Aldgate)
• *Green Light Pharmacy | 115 Harford St, E1 4FG (MSOA: Limehouse North & Stepney East)
• *Green Light Pharmacy | 2 Hannaford Walk, E3 3FF (MSOA: Bromley-by-Bow East)
• *Jaypharm Pharmacy | 361 Commercial Road, E1 2PS (MSOA: Whitechapel)
• *Kamsons Pharmacy | 18 Stroudley Walk, E3 3EW (MSOA: Bromley-by-Bow East)
• *Lansbury Pharmacy | 85 Chrisp Street, London E14 6GG (MSOA: Poplar Leaside)
• *Lincoln Pharmacy | 124 St Paul's Way, E3 4QA (MSOA: Mile End East & Burdett Estate)
• *Sai Chemist | 19 Stable Walk, E1 8EJ (MSOA: Aldgate)
• *Shantys Pharmacy | 253 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1DB (MSOA: Bethnal Green South)
• Ali's Chemist | 93 Watney St, E1 2QE (MSOA: Shadwell Basin & Ratcliffe)
• Bell Pharmacy | 534 Roman Rd, E3 5ES (MSOA: Bow North & Fish Island)
• Britannia Pharmacy | 257-259 Poplar High Street, E14 0BE (MSOA: Blackwall & Leamouth)
• Britannia Pharmacy | 35 Aberfeldy Street, London E14 0NU (MSOA: Poplar Central)
• Britannia Pharmacy | 80 Roman Road, London E2 0PG (MSOA: Bethnal Green East)
• Britannia Pharmacy - ASDA | Unit 9 ASDA, 151 East Ferry Road, E14 3BB (MSOA: Mudchute)
• Britannia Pharmacy - Barkantine | 121 Westferry Road, London E14 8JH (MSOA: Canary Wharf)
• Nash Chemist | 817 Commercial Road, London E14 7HG (MSOA: Limehouse East)
• Regionchoice Pharmacy Ltd | 68 Cambridge Heath Rd, E1 5QJ (MSOA: Bethnal Green Central)

Other Pharmacies (*COVID-19 Vaccinations)

• *Boots | Unit 15 Jubilee Place 45 Bank Street, E14 5NY (MSOA: Canary Wharf)
• *Forward Pharmacy | 648 Mile End Road, E3 4LH (MSOA: Mile End East & Burdett Estate)
• *Columbia Pharmacy | 104 Columbia Road, E2 7QB (MSOA: Columbia Road)
• *Jaypharm Chemist (off-site) | 4 Brayford Square, E1 0SG (MSOA: Stepney Green)
• *Tower Pharmacy | 50 Wapping Lane, E1W 2RL (MSOA: Tower Hill & Wapping South)

Although Covid-19 might not be a hot-topic anymore, and might seem like part of our past, it is important to still follow NHS guidelines and advice on how to prevent diseases and to not fall in the trap of taking late action.

Common side effects for all Covid-19 vaccines include:

• Feeling tired
• Headache
• General aches or mild flu-like systems

You should seek medical advice, if you feel that you have experienced serious side effects such as:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Feelings of a pounding heart

ELATT wishes you the best of health for this winter. Hopefully, if you are a Tower Hamlet resident, you now have a better and more precise idea of getting your Covid-19 Autumn booster. For further information or enquiries to get a Covid-19 booster, click here to follow the guidelines.

Veronica Gianelli

We are thrilled to be one of the first third sector organisations and one of the first training providers in London to be awarded the Mayor of London's Good Work Standard, which we achieved at Excellence level!

The Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard was officially launched in summer 2019 – part of the Mayor's commitment to making London the best city in the world to work. As a London Live Wage employer for almost ten years, we believe this is an important recognition of our commitment to our people. It also reflects the many ways in which we are striving for the best possible working conditions for our employees.

The Mayor’s Good Work Standard sets the benchmark for the best employment standards and helps employers contribute to a fairer and more inclusive London economy. This means the economy works for all Londoners and more Londoners can access good jobs, in workplaces that support their health and wellbeing.

To make this happen, the Mayor is working with businesses like ours to celebrate excellent work practices and assist businesses in adopting best practice approaches by bringing together a range of support and resources.

By signing up to the Good Work Standard, employers signal that they are committed to healthy, fair and inclusive workplaces. We know this is an important step in attracting and retaining a diverse, talented and successful workforce and we hope to assist other businesses in realising these benefits.

To read more about the Good Work Standard, please visit What is the Mayor's Good Work Standard?.

Mayor of London - Adult Learning

We’re delighted to have been awarded a Mayor’s Skills Academies Quality Mark for provision within the digital sector.

The Quality Mark supports the Mayor’s commitment to help Londoners into good work in sectors key to London’s recovery and long-term economic growth, and learners can use the Quality Mark to seek out excellent, industry-relevant skills provision across the city.

This is key to the Mayor’s mission to build a better London for everyone, and we are pleased to be working with City Hall on this important work. For more information on our Quality Mark, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Congratulations to all the Skills Academies Quality Mark accredited providers announced this week! You can find the full list here: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-wedo/jobs-and-skills/mayors-academies-programme/mayors-skillsacademies-quality-mark

About the Mayor's Skills Quality Mark
Mayor’s Skills Quality Mark Launched in March 2022, the Quality Mark will be an annual accreditation awarded to London training providers who offer high quality training in sectors covered by the Mayor’s Skills Academies and the construction sector.

Londoners and employers will be able to use the Quality Mark to identify excellent, industry-relevant training in the capital.

The Quality Mark aims to assess and recognise training providers delivering high-quality provision in six sectors: Digital, Creative, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Construction and Green.

The Quality Mark Statement of Requirements outlines a range of assessment criteria including a combination of sector specific questions, and wider cross cutting issues like diversity and inclusion, sustainability, Good Work and the engagement of under-represented groups.

Since its founding in Tower Hamlets in 1984, ELATT has supported thousands of Londoners into employment through our integrated programme of digital skills training, personal development and mentoring, working with the long-term unemployed, refugees and young people with special educational needs to help them succeed in life and work. ELATT’s fundraising and management teams work tirelessly to raise funds to ensure our courses are free for students and that our students have the help and support they need. We are well known for our whole-person approach to education, including debt and welfare support, financial advice, specialised support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and complex circumstances.  

We are delighted to announce that our latest industry partner, MarketAxess, has provided funding to cover six-months' salary of a new Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) who will ensure that all of our students with additional needs and education, health and care plans (ECHPs) receive the support they need. MarketAxess is an international financial technology company that operates an electronic trading platform for the institutional credit markets, and also provides market data and post-trade services. MarketAxess is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Amsterdam, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, São Paulo, Hong Kong and Singapore. 

Over the coming months we have a number of exciting plans to expand our programme together, and students can look forward to working with MarketAxess volunteers in workshops, work shadowing, work experience mentoring and more. 

David Wright, Head of Client and Dealer Sales, EMEA at MarketAxess commented, ‘We are delighted to announce a new partnership with ELATT through the MarketAxess Charitable Foundation.  Our mission is to work with organizations that support underserved communities, with an emphasis on youth education, diversity, equity and inclusion. ELATT’s outstanding track record of fostering learning and community integration is in absolute alignment with our values.  We are looking forward to working with ELATT over coming years and being a part of the important work they do for Londoners.’  

Anthony Harmer, ELATT Chief Executive said, ‘It is an honour for ELATT to become one of the first beneficiaries of MarketAxess’ new charitable foundation. We are incredibly grateful to receive this funding to ensure no-one is left behind and continue our mission of providing Londoners with the skills they need to flourish in life and work. We’re now looking forward to working alongside MarketAxess to ensure our curriculum suits market needs and collaborating to provide more work experience opportunities for ELATT students.’ 

Volunteers from URBN, the group behind global consumer brands including Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People and more, kindly gave us their time to provide almost 50 students including those from Sixth Form and Adult Vocational classes with Industry Insight workshops.

The workshops included ‘A day in the life of a Buyers Admin Assistant’ and ‘Differences between print and digital graphic design trends’. The half hour long workshops offered students a unique insight into how to get into a career in the fashion and media world and the latest industry intel. The students particularly enjoyed seeing how their course work transfers into real life scenarios.

We’re looking forward to the next round of workshops with URBN volunteers, which include ‘An Intro to Digital Marketing’ and ‘Sustainability in Fashion’.

After participating in the workshops, 85% of students said they felt more confident, with excellent feedback and comments from students including, "this workshop really helped me feel more at ease and less daunting when I do decide to pursue a career in Business and Administration”

If you’re an employer who’d like to collaborate with ELATT, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or if you’re an individual who’d like to volunteer to support our students, click here

ELATT have triumphed in the Tes FE Awards for the second time, adding Training Provider of the Year 2021 to our plethora of awards and nominations. We’ve been shortlisted and won several awards over the past 7 years. In 2016 we took home the employer engagement and training provider of the year awards, as well as the overall FE provider of the year title- the first time a training provider had won the title since the awards started. We also won the award for ‘Contribution to the local community’ award at the annual Tes FE Awards 2018.

Tes judges were particularly impressed with our pandemic response, including the ‘no learner left behind’ mentality, where students were supplied with internet access, devices including smartphones and laptops, and even printed learning packs where needed - 300 of these were delivered during the first few months of the lockdown.

Despite often having special educational needs (SEND) and/or challenging circumstances, ELATT students continued to achieve exceptional success rates above national averages, with a 93.7% pass rate and ELATT achieving 96.8 per cent student retention

Tes FE Awards 2021 lead judge Jane Hickie said: “ELATT has excelled during the pandemic by further extending its reach into communities in London with its mix of full- and part-time or evening classes, which are delivered online or in small classes. ELATT has an almost unrivalled reputation for an inclusive approach to learning and its focus on employment goals has never been more needed.”

ELATT CEO Anthony Harmer said: “We’re delighted to have won Training Provider of the Year, our response to the pandemic was rapid and focussed on our students and the training and support they need, and it’s brilliant to have that recognised by such a prestigious organisation as Tes. This award is dedicated to our hardworking staff, volunteers and students alike.”

Partner organisations said,
“ELATT’s commitment to improving the skills and lives of people living in our local community is a journey that we at UBS have been proud to be a part of. The confidence workshops and presentations skills sessions we run together have been hugely rewarding to UBS employee volunteers and valuable for our beneficiaries. ELATT plays a fundamental role in the positive impact we achieve through our Community Affairs programme.” - Sarah Payne, Executive Director, UBS

“We really do love partnering with ELATT to offer young people a platform through our creative programmes. ELATT’s learning environment is truly unique in the way it supports its learners’ mental health, social wellbeing and confidence in their own ability to progress in their studies and in their life. The learners themselves are keen on voicing their enthusiasm when talking about the positive difference the college has made to their life in a way we seldom heard from students in other educational institutions.” - Emilia Teglia, Artistic Director, Odd Eyes Theatre

“ELATT provides an incredibly important service to the local migrant community as they offer free ESOL classes to many residents who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access formal learning provision. Their inclusive ethos of welcoming learners of every background, regardless of immigration status, and of meeting the often-complex needs of our students has had a very positive impact on the most vulnerable residents in Waltham Forest.” - Michela Pomati, Senior Programme Manager, Community Participation ESOL, London Borough of Waltham Forest 

Students and volunteers said,
"ELATT really deserve this award. They helped me overcome my technophobia and learn to use a computer. I was really nervous about learning and joining online classes on Zoom, but my tutor was so welcoming, kind and helpful. ELATT is such a supportive environment, I am not afraid to ask questions or for additional help when I need it. I was so delighted when I passed my Level 1 Assessment. I have felt my confidence grow week by week, and I can’t believe I am now completing Level 2! - Inger, adult learner studying IT for the Office

“ELATT helped me a lot, I’m really thankful that I can speak English now a little bit and she give me equipment that I can use at home with my learning that can be easy for me. It was very helpful so I can study and see people in lockdown time” - Manjit – ESOL learner with ELATT’s Digital Communities project – March 2021

I have been studying at ELATT since September 2019 and I couldn't be happier! The teachers are friendly towards SEN students like me and are always a pleasure to have around! Thanks to the skills I’ve learned at ELATT, I’d like to become a computer technician and open my own shop one day. Recently, I've had the opportunity to take part in projects including Headliners #Unfiltered project where we get to go on trips and take photos, and Wild London's Keeping it Wild project. These projects get us out of the classroom and learn lots of different things with a new perspective. I am really proud of my stunning photos that have been included on websites like Headliners. - Alfie, Sixth form student

I’m so pleased ELATT have been celebrated by Tes FE awards again. I started volunteering with ELATT after I found myself jobless during the pandemic in 2020. The team are so flexible and accommodating, and the training is great. My time volunteering with ELATT opened so many doors and given me the confidence to pursue a new career in Speech and Language Therapy. It has been an absolute game changer for me! Robyn, volunteer ESOL TA in 2020

For over 35 years, ELATT has supported thousands of Londoners into employment through our integrated programme of digital skills training, personal development and mentoring, working with the long-term unemployed, refugees and young people with special educational needs to help them succeed in life and work.  When it comes to learning, we’ve got it covered, but we can’t support our students through that vital next step of work-readiness without the support of London’s world-leading employment sector.

Today we are very excited to announce our latest partnership with industry as we welcome internationally renowned email security and cyber resilience company Mimecast into the ELATT community. A British tech success story, Mimecast has a customer base of over 39,000 organisations around the world and is an incredible addition towards our mission of building a London where anyone can succeed, no matter their background or circumstances.

Mimecast have already provided funding for additional teaching assistants to support ELATT students who have been affected by the pandemic, ensuring no-one is left behind. Over the coming months, students can look forward to working with Mimecast volunteers in workshops, work shadowing, work experience mentoring and more.

Anthony Harmer, ELATT Chief Executive said, ‘we are incredibly excited to be working with a tech company of the stature and values of Mimecast, and we can’t wait to watch the opportunities this brings for our students unfold. We are already putting their generous grant to good use in helping our most in-need students catch up with their studies following the pandemic.  We’re now looking forward to building their unique industry insight into our curriculum and together creating a learning experience which will ensure that ELATT students graduate with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace.’

Reed Bundy, Senior Director of Global Social Impact & Employee Experience, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with ELATT as part of our global efforts to build community resilience, drive workforce development, and bridge the digital divide.  We look forward to connecting Mimecast employees with the ELATT community through a variety of engagement opportunities as we work together to ensure all Londoners – regardless of their circumstances - have the tools, training and resources to be successful.”

On Friday 31^st July 2020, ELATT’s CEO Anthony Harmer participated in a techUK podcast focussed on reskilling & retraining, also featuring Jacqueline de Rojas, President of techUK, Gillian Keegan, the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, techUK's Associate Director of Policy Vinous Ali and Sheila Flavell, Chief Operating Officer at FDM Group.

Gillian Keegan, Chichester MP and Minister for Apprenticeships & Skills at DfE discusses the DfE’s ‘Skills Toolkit’ initiative, created to share free courses where people can improve their digital skills and therefore employability, accelerating their digital journey. It provides ways to retrain and learn skills needed for the 21^st century and the jobs of the future. The launch of the Skills Toolkit was accelerated by the Coronavirus lockdown to ensure people could use their time wisely during lockdown to learn new skills and improve their appeal to prospective employers.

“Businesses with low level of digital skills capabilities are going to be left behind in this highly competitive environment” shares Sheila Flavell, COO of FDM Group. “Now is the time for organisations like us to come to the forefront and signpost where individuals can go to improve their tech skills”.

Anthony Harmer, CEO of ELATT, shares ELATT’s mission statement, “to provide people with the digital and employability skills they need in life and work”. He also shared our strong focus on 1 to 1 pastoral, welfare and educational support, as well as the challenges of adapting to the sudden transformation caused by COVID-19; from only 10% blended courses to fully virtual and online.

Post pandemic, Anthony believes we will see a far greater focus and importance placed on digital in the business sector and in education, thanks to the greater certainty offered by the digital realm, given it is less affected by circumstances like local lockdowns. ELATT has seen an increased uptake in digital skills and office skills courses –  people understand that skills transformation is going to be very important in near future. Anthony also participated in the Government’s Digital Skills Qualifications steering group and believes now is a great time to implement the recommendations made.

Over 200 attendees join charity event with world class speakers; Dr Thomas Mensah, Judge Chantel Fortuin and Marva Rollins to celebrate Nelson Mandela Day and reflect on Black Lives Matter movement

ELATT, an award-winning training provider and charity offering Digital Skills, ESOL and other courses across London, welcomed speakers from around the globe on Friday 17th July, to join their online student celebration. The event focused on the themes of Black Lives Matter, International Justice Day (17th July) and Nelson Mandela Day (18th July).

Dr Thomas Mensah, one of the key inventors of the fibre optic technology that allows us to use the internet, joined the event from Ghana, and had attendees chanting the title of his book and mantra, “The Right Stuff Comes in Black Too! I can do anything I put my mind to!”. His story of growing up in Kumasi, Ghana, studying with scholarships in France and the USA, and being inducted into the National Academy of Inventors in 2015 left the audience uplifted. Attendees left comments in the chat including “Thank you Dr Mensah - what an inspirational journey you've had in which we are all now benefiting” and “beautiful, what an amazing morning, from pain to purpose here I come”.

A focus on education was offered by Marva Rollins OBE, who shared her journey from being a single mother of three, to becoming the first black headteacher in the London Borough of Newham. Key messages from her talk included the importance of being kind, not only to others but to ourselves with our internal voice. She also gave practical tips to ELATT’s aspiring teaching assistants. Audience feedback included “It was very inspiring to hear Marva talk about the Windrush generation and how difficult it was” and “Yours is a wonderful and inspiring story, thank you Marva, for telling it with such warmth, honesty and clarity.”

Judge Chantel Fortuin, joining the event live from South Africa, offered some real gems of knowledge, highlighting that she didn’t realise justice could be used for means other than oppression for a long time. This realisation that she could make a difference and bring justice to the working class in her community gave her purpose to work hard in her studies, leading to her become an attorney whilst also working full time and raising a family. Comments from students included, “inspirational story and speech. Thank you Judge Fortuin” and “Thank you Chantel, for such a powerful, inspiring and massively positive speech.” Her story inspired us all.

An installation of student, staff and volunteer art and media work around the theme of equality and Black Lives Matter was also presented. ELATT are donating to Irie Minds in respect of this work. You can find the installation here www.elatt.org.uk/blacklivesmatter

ELATT are planning a series of events to celebrate black leaders and achievements – if you would like to attend or get involved, please click here or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are always happy to partner with employers to offer work placements, volunteering or mentoring – if you’d like to support our learners, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you’re interested in furthering your education and joining one of ELATT’s free training courses, check out ELATT.org.uk 

ABOUT ELATT - Over 30 years of bringing diversity into the workplace in London.

We’re an award-winning education charity, and since we started in 1984, we’ve supported hundreds of students to better their lives through employment.

Our vision is a London where everyone can flourish in their lives, no matter their age, background or circumstances. We welcome students who want to develop their skills, gain confidence and learn at any stage of their lives. Our courses include Web Design and Development, Computer Engineering, Digital Media Production, Business IT and English and maths.

Please also contact Catriona (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you would like to cover the event and find out more information.

IMAGES - More images can be provided if you wish to run the story.

Presentations on the day (Credit: Catriona Salisbury)

Inventor and scientist Dr Thomas Mensah (Credit: Dr Thomas Mensah)

Marva Rollins OBE (Credit: Marva Rollins OBE)

Judge Chantel Fortuin (Credit: Chantel Fortuin)

Councillor Anthony Okereke, the Labour & Co-op Councillor for Woolwich Common Cabinet Member for Housing (Credit: Royal Borough of Greenwich)

A young viewer joining with with Dr Thomas Mensah (Credit: Catriona Salisbury)