ELATT
The Learning Community
Over the last few days, a few of our Sixth Form software development students worked on designing and building some fantastic interactive educational websites to raise awareness of anti-bullying as part of Anti-Bullying Week. You can follow the link below to experience their work!
My name is Inger and I am a 50 year old housewife, charity volunteer and grandmother. I have always felt left behind because I did not know how to use a computer - it has held me back for many years. Not being able to get online or use a computer made me feel useless, stupid and actually, I was quite scared of computers due to not knowing anything about them! I just didn’t know what to do about it or how I could overcome my technophobia. My kids always promised to help me learn but are always busy with their own work or homework, and classes I had seen advertised were either really expensive, or seemed to be aimed towards OAPs, so I felt I wasn’t welcome there.
Then I heard about ELATT. I signed up for a free IT for the Office course, which would teach me all the basics of using Microsoft Office Packages and computing skills that I could use to help me improve my employability and prospects. With help, I completed an online sign up form, I had a quick phone call from ELATT’s assessment team and completed a short test to see what skills I already had, before starting my course.
I was really nervous about learning and joining online classes on Zoom, but my tutor is so welcoming, kind and helpful, and takes us through the class at a gentle pace. 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! The huge mystery around laptops, computers and the internet is fading and I am excited to use my new skills. I’ve even made new friends on the course and met up for socially distanced walks, which has been a huge unexpected benefit. I would recommend anyone wanting to learn something new to check out ELATT’s website and find a course they’d like to study.
Rashid: I enjoyed my 4 weeks of work experience with Mobius. Mobius is a PR, marketing and printing agency for theatres, based in Holborn. I worked every Tuesday from 10:30-5:30. Before I arrived at my placement, I had a little idea of what I will be doing. It was a great opportunity for me to get experience on how it will be working in an office environment. Before my first day I met with the PR Director Elin and Distribution and Print Coordinator Isobel to talk about what route I want to take and what I want to do in the next 5 years. We also talked what kind of company Mobius is.
Adnan: I was greeted by Elin and showed around the office, and I met Isobel and I met the Managing Director Richard Fitzmaurice. The staff were very welcoming and friendly when I went there in my first week. I was then handed some tasks to do. My first task was to put press nights they had for upcoming theatre shows on to a Google calendar. The second task was to do some research about Edinburgh Festival and also theatre. This was a good way to develop my research skills. The first day was using my knowledge and understanding on how the company runs and what kind of admin work they do. It made me to get some ideas of what expectations they have for me.
Our vision is a London where everyone can flourish in their lives, no matter their age, background or circumstances. When it comes to learning, we’ve got it covered, but our students tell us that the missing link to help them progress is work experience.
A former student Georgia explained the value of doing a work placement:
‘During my time at ELATT I secured two work placements where I learnt extensive skills in the business administration sector and also how to be part of a working environment, which I lacked experience in until now. I also achieved multiple qualifications as well as gaining experience that will help me in the future.’
Our students are so passionate about gaining these opportunities that they have created a campaign with Citizens UK to raise this need amongst businesses in East London. Here they are campaigning for work experience opportunities in the Olympic Park, Stratford.
We want to help our students find opportunities in tech, corporate, education and a range of other environments to enable them to develop their practical skills and apply what they are learning in class.
The ELATT learning community is made up of a diverse range of students including young people with autism and learning difficulties, refugees and migrants and adults returning to work. Our students study Business, IT, Web design, Media, English and Maths and take part in a wide variety of extra-curricular and community activities.
‘The young people at ELATT have diverse and often complex needs. We also know that we do not yet have the skills and confidence to navigate the system and access the support that we need. While the urgency to work becomes ever greater in an environment of high youth unemployment in East London...We want a mentor to support us.’
In this video our Digital Media Production student Freddie tells you about his current studies, his hopes for the future, and why mentoring and experience will make all the difference to him.
We know that the first step towards employment is the hardest: with no recent work experience, only 30% of our students get into work. But once they have experience, 80% of our students move into employment. Be part of this change: our Industry Partners support us by offering mentoring, work experience and work placements to our talented and dedicated students. Work experience could be for 1 or 2 weeks or for 1 day a week over 3 months – this can be tailored to what suits your company.
Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you think you can help or to suggest other organisations you know who may be able to offer work experience of any duration to our students.
Students on the Pre-Employment Trainership programme really got involved on International Women's Day on the 8th of March 2018. After hearing about statistics that affect women all over the world from violence to pay inequality and celebrated women like Mother Theresa, Michelle Obama and many more, they decided to do presentations about women they admired.
There are two presentations linked at the bottom: a presentation about Michelle Obama by Stefan Roye-Williams, and another one created by C'Jay Allen of Rosa Louise McCauley Parks. Their tutor, Segs, said: "I was very impressed at how quickly C'Jay put the presentation together and the special effects she used were amazing. And I was very impressed at the determination of Steffan to complete the presentation, and, to such good effect. Well done!".
I want to write about our volunteering visit to Museum of London on 12 /10/17. We walked with my classes 15 minutes to Mortimer Wheeler House. When we got to the Museum of London we met officials and they told us information about the museum. They started to show us around the museum.
We wore special gloves and labelled the objects and archived them. We also learnt about different objects from all over the world. We really enjoyed the experience.
Seher, Mahnaz, Besey, Rani and Ouasilla Equal Voices.
On Wednesday 19th July we hosted another fantastic student celebration day event. The day started off with a series of workshops held by ELATT staff and our amazing volunteers from Lloyds Bank who kindly hosted two workshops; cyber security and mobile savviness. Crowdskills also hosted a workshop in entrepreneulism which interested so many of our students. We had so many other interesting workshops such as salsa dancing! We were surprised by how many students arrived to our workshops and lunch, and were as happy as them to be present during the day.
ELATT is a unique community, we’re a training provider and a charity. But, most of all we’re here to make your life that bit better. Follow our #ELATTstories campaign to find out more about some of our inspirational students. Over the next couple of weeks we will be releasing even more inspirational videos. Check back here or follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay part of the conversation. Do you want to be part of the #ELATTstories campaign? Tweet us and we’ll share your story or email us if you’d like to be featured in our blog (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)