Niyaz, a Tower Hamlets resident, shares his story with us. Diagnosed with a learning disability, Niyaz tells us about the support he receives from the Tower Project JET and working at ELBA.

Please tell us about yourself to give readers an understanding of your journey
My name’s Mohammed Mehraab Hussain, but my friends and family call me Niyaz. I’m 25 years old and I’m a British Bangladeshi. I’ve lived in Tower Hamlets my whole life. I’ve been diagnosed with a learning disability, but I’ve never let that hold me back.

I studied at New City College, where I also gained some work experience.

After that, I received support from Tower Project JET, a brilliant charity that supports people with learning disabilities to find employment. Their job coaching and support have been a huge part of my journey and helped me every step of the way. With their help, I started an apprenticeship working in a Create Café. That experience made me eager to explore what else I could do.

How did you hear about ELBA??
At the time, my brother was volunteering at ELBA, where he worked as an admin assistant. I thought it sounded interesting, so I asked my employment advisor from Tower Project JET if they could help me try something similar. They arranged it and I absolutely loved it. The job was great, the team at ELBA was lovely, and I learned so much. I really didn’t want it to end.

What happened next? How did you move from volunteering to a paid role?
As I grew more confident and enjoyed the work more and more, I started thinking about what could come next. One day, while working with Forida, the HR manager at ELBA, I asked if there were any paid job opportunities. I also spoke to my employment adviser from Tower Project JET and soon after, I was offered a paid position. I was over the moon!

Please tell us about how ELBA has supported you?
When I started, I was given a mentor named Merline, she was a key part of my progress. She showed me how things worked in the office, explained tasks clearly, and always made time for my questions. She checked in with me, encouraged me, and helped me feel confident. Most of all, she made me feel like I truly belonged in the team at ELBA.

What difference has this support made to you?
Thanks to the job coaching from Tower Project JET and the warm welcome from ELBA, I learned valuable skills including use of the Microsoft Office package, operating essential office equipment, and working as part of a team. Everyone at ELBA has been friendly, welcoming, and supportive. I was included in staff events like Fun Day and the Staff Conference, which made me feel really proud.

Would you recommend ELBA to others and, if so, why?
Being part of the team at ELBA has helped me grow, gain confidence and believe in myself more. Because of my learning disability, I think and learn differently, and it’s not always easy to find a job, but ELBA has helped me use my strengths to succeed. They’ve offered me guidance, encouragement, and helped me build skills that make a real difference in my career journey. Thanks to ELBA, I feel even more prepared and motivated to take on new challenges and opportunities.

I’d definitely recommend Tower Project JET and ELBA to anyone looking for support with work or career goals. They are a wonderful team of people who really care. I’m so happy to be part of this amazing organisation.