Account3 training is back for the Autumn term and raring to go. In fact, our training never went away, it just changed a little. From March 2020 our lovely team of childcare teachers and assessors made great efforts to put all of the training that they could, onto Zoom and they did a fantastic job. They also continued to carry out their one to ones, often making use of the local parks, where they were able to give advice, support and feedback in a safe, socially distancing manner. Through this extreme effort they supported nearly all of the existing learners to complete their qualifications. The support was recognised by the exam board in the recent quality assurance process. A total of 130 women gained qualifications supporting them into employment. Of course zoom is not for everyone and a couple of the women were not so inclined to use zoom and preferred to wait for the next classroom-based sessions but all in all this major change in response to COVID was a startling success and much of it down to the passion and commitment of the teachers.

Throughout the summer we have also delivered a number of First Aid at Work and Paediatric First aid courses. We were able to do this safely through strict enforcement of cleaning regimes, gloves, masks and the use of our spacious double rooms which enabled people to learn together while maintaining the required distance. First aid is an important qualification which is a requirement of a number of jobs and to maintain employment it was necessary to maintain the training, some of which was reaccreditation and for some the first time they did any such courses.

The BaME Women’s Leadership course Dare to Lead threw down the gauntlet to over 20 women in Tower Hamlets, who know they can make a difference to their communities. The current programme which combines learning and social action is now running with a dynamic and inspiring group of women involved in the delivery . It runs until December and we are currently compiling a waiting list for the next course planned to start in January 2021.

The need for English language courses in Tower Hamlets is persistently high but working with NannyEze, a local employer, we have identified a group of trainee English Teachers, who are happy to volunteer as part of their development. They are doing small scale conversation and listening classes using digital platforms and the phones. For more information or to make a referral, send us a message, via contact form. We are do the applications and selections for courses to start in 2021 so do get in touch with us if you want to join a course.

Three cheers to the people involved in all aspects of these projects, from the teachers and assessors to Amina, who keeps the rooms clean & safe. They have really stepped up to the bar, to improve the quality of lives of women in some terrible times. For any information or to get yourself or a friend on the waiting list for any of our courses, please send us a message, via contact form.