Let us reintroduce ourselves: ELBA’s Education team
Let us reintroduce ourselves: ELBA’s Education team
As soon as September starts, ELBA’s Education team is in full swing organising a calendar of engaging and impactful activity across our school, college, sixth form and university partners. Last year, we engaged 9096 students and 1712 corporate volunteers across 156 opportunities!
Come and meet the team who make this happen:
Maria Tonchievici – Head of Programmes for Education and Mentoring Works
What my role involves: I oversee ELBA’s Education programme including Mentoring Works, involving a number of education and corporate partners in east London and Islington. Strategically I ensure ELBA’s education and mentoring programmes address the needs of our education partners and provide a valuable opportunity for corporate volunteers to make a positive impact in the community. I also have the responsibility of building strong relationships and maintaining good rapport with our corporate and school partners.
Why this programme is important: Through our Education programme, we help young people become well-prepared and equipped for the rapidly changing job market. I’ve witnessed firsthand the programme’s transformative impact on students, significantly boosting their chances to thrive. We also run a bespoke employability programme, which gives an opportunity to young people with Special Educational Needs to be supported by volunteer mentors to become more confident, independent and raise their awareness about the world of work.
One interesting fact about me: I had been involved in volunteering at major sports events like the Winter Olympic Games in Turin (Italy) in 2006, European Football Championship in Austria in 2008, and the London Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. Volunteering at the Olympics was a truly transformational and memorable experience, which I would highly recommend to anyone. Also, this is your chance to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic history!
Fahima Begum – Project Manager, Mentoring Works
What my role involves: The aim of the programme is to pair volunteer mentors from the corporate world with students in Year 10 and sixth form. This programme aims to support the development of young people and get them career ready primarily by focusing on key skills such as speaking, adapting and leadership.
Why this programme is important: This is a great way to ensure that more young people get greater access to support to help shape their futures and give them a boost into the world of work.
One interesting fact about me: I have managed mentoring programmes exclusively across my career within other charities and higher education. Having taken part in a similar scheme in my youth, I am eager to ensure young people continue to get access to programmes that support their development. I will never forget my mentors and I hope these young people never forget theirs.
Cordel Fraser – Project Manager, Education and Mentoring Works
What my role involves: Working within the Education team and also focusing on Mentoring Works, I facilitate workshops, deliver pre-employment sessions and manage mentoring relationships with schools and colleges. I match young people to our corporate mentors for up to a year, where they get the chance to explore different learning opportunities, career paths and have essential conversations in order to be able to take their next steps in whatever profession they choose.
Why this programme is important: It is crucial that we introduce young people to the world of work by giving them firsthand experience to feel and understand how a workplace functions. We show them that people just like themselves – who speak and look like them – can thrive no matter what socio-economic background they come from.
One interesting fact about me: I really enjoy being a DJ in my spare time, playing various genres old and new.
Chelsea Humphries – Project Manager, Education team
What my role involves: My role involves linking our corporate partners with a wide range of volunteering opportunities at our partner schools, enabling students to connect with professionals working in London and Canary Wharf. These opportunities may include Career Carousels, Mock Interviews/CV Reviews and Career Insight Visits, which involve students going to company offices and seeing what office life is like.
Why this programme is important: ELBA’s Education programme is so important for the students of east London as it enables them to gain valuable industry insights they would perhaps be unable to access. It is also incredibly rewarding for the volunteers who participate as the programme offers opportunities to engage with and inspire the next generation.
One interesting fact about me: Before joining ELBA, I taught Geography in secondary schools for five years, which is why I’m so passionate about providing students with enriching and unique industry experiences!
Hayley Turner-McIntyre – Project Manager, Education team and Comms Chair
What my role involves: I manage ELBA’s university partnerships, which involve supporting students by providing them with a range of opportunities to connect with professionals in the City and Canary Wharf. My work enables students to access exclusive opportunities led by our corporate volunteers, including virtual CV and LinkedIn Reviews, Career Insight Visits, networking (and net-walking!) opportunities, mentoring and much more! I always look for creative and bespoke ways to engage students and volunteers through our programmes to ensure students are prepared for the changing world of work.
I also chair ELBA’s internal comms committee, helping create content for our Newsletter, blogs and social media.
Why this programme is important: As the skills and demands of the job market have changed rapidly over recent years, we want students to feel confident and prepared that they have the relevant skills to secure successful employment opportunities.
One interesting fact about me: I have a big interest in UK politics and recently spent two years studying a Masters in Politics alongside my job!
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