Looking forward

Written by Rosa High, Education Project Manager

As August comes to a close, September brings the new academic year – the end of summer and the beginning of the new season. This seems like an opportune time to take a moment to reflect on 2022  and think about what we are looking forward to in the remainder of the year.

Let’s look back at 2022 so far. The year was off to a shaky start with COVID rearing its ugly head again. In the Education team, activities were put on hold as schools and businesses kept their distance from one another to remain safe. However, the year picked up and ELBA diaries were incredibly busy.

Speaking to colleagues, I asked them to reflect on what they have loved about ELBA in 2022. As always, the Toy Appeal – ELBA’s annual Christmas fundraising event – was a highlight for many, becoming increasingly more important in these times. Another highlight has been celebrating the anniversaries of some of ELBA’s projects – 10 years of Broadgate and  BIG Alliance.

Although COVID brought about many challenges this past year, it also provided ELBA and our staff with the opportunity to work with our partner companies in helping students and community organisations. A highlight for many at ELBA was supporting beneficiaries through  technology donations in an effort to help the digital divide that was exacerbated by the pandemic and the sudden move to online working and studying.

Many really valued ELBA’s staff wellbeing group, WELBA. In such a difficult time, it seemed more important than ever to come together and support one another, and WELBA made sure to do so by organising a whole host of activities throughout the year from Stress Awareness talks to the annual step walking challenge.

As September comes around, it is important for us all to take a look back at the year so far; to celebrate our accomplishments, relive our achievements and see how far we have come. It is also a great opportunity to look forward to what the last portion of the year will bring for us and what it is we are looking forward to. Whether you are looking forward to the cooler temperature that the change of the season brings, the kids going back to school or even Christmas, ELBA wishes you a happy and healthy end to 2022.

To stay up to date with the latest news, opportunities and success stories, please sign up to receive our monthly newsletter, here.