Last Friday we were thrilled to finally launch our first Changemaker Studio location in Camden, a project partnering Unloc with Westminster Kingsway College and Visionnaires.
Isabela Dumitrascu, 17, a second year student at Westminster Kingsway College studying a Business Level 3 Extended Diploma, recently completed our Unloc Able and Talented programme, and was keen to share her experience of the digital course:
”There’s a high expectation on young people these days, given the hi-tech, changing environments and heightened demands around us. I think many of us seek personal development from various sources.
I’d always had a fear of public speaking, something which has followed me throughout my whole life. I’m European, originally from Romania, and despite how well I’ve developed my level of English, my nervousness still overtook me and controlled my ability to speak out. As someone studying Business it’s something I really wanted to overcome. So, when I saw that Unloc were running their Able and Talented Programme, I thought it was an ideal opportunity to get the support I needed, and best of all I could do it from home too.
I was determined to overcome this and advance myself so I can achieve my full potential, both academically and professionally. Once I discovered Unloc and its mission of empowering young people to be innovative changemakers it allowed me to see myself as a future leader of tomorrow. I strongly believe that everyone is able to succeed with the right approach, support and self-belief.
The programme really was fantastic, I strengthened my knowledge and skills, as well as refining my approach. The sessions were well constructed and clear targets set, which were agreed between the facilitators and myself. Each session was well organized, engaging and delivered in a mindful, active and professional way by my lecturers Ben Dowling and Tony Shrubsall. Both have been so supportive and motivating, open to all our ideas and encouraging us to contribute to every discussion and activity. This definitely made the Changemaker experience outstanding to me and really eye-opening at the same time. It was such a pleasant and supportive virtual environment to be in.
Unloc’s encouragement and support allowed me to no longer limit myself, aspire to succeed and strive to innovate. Areas we covered on the programme included project management, setting SMART objectives, presentation and interview skills, public speaking, apprenticeships, working environment, trends and employability skills. Unloc focuses on training young people with empowering skills at an early age so that we can build our character and become positive changemakers for tomorrow.
I joined the programme with the aim of personal developments which align with my future goals, as well as the organisation’s mission of boosting success and contouring stronger communities. I aim to become a mentor myself so that I can share with others, and support individuals as I have been supported by the programme.
Unloc really is made up of dedicated individuals who are absolutely committed to empowering future leaders to achieve their full potential. Now I do not only hold extensive knowledge and a strong skill set, but I also have increased my ambition and perseverance to make a difference and reach my goals.”
The first Changemaker Studio space is dedicated to the advancement of entrepreneurship and leadership skills for students at the college and young people in the Camden borough. Our location at Westminster Kingsway College’s King’s Cross Centre will join Unloc’s network of further education colleges committed to developing young people as change makers, entrepreneurs and leaders.
The space will host a wide range of Unloc training programmes alongside start-up programmes delivered by Visionnaires, a Capital City College Group social enterprise that supports and incubates new businesses.
Our vision is to launch Changemaker Studios sites at key locations across the UK over the next few years.
To read more about our very first Changemaker Studios location click here!
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About Unloc
Unloc was founded in 2013 by award-winning young leaders and advocates Hayden Taylor and Ben Dowling. Our mission is to empower young people to be innovative changemakers who seek to build stronger communities and sustainable businesses. We develop young people’s skills, enhance their potential and boost their determination to succeed. This is encapsulated in our ‘Developing Young Potential’ tagline.
We work towards our mission by delivering inspiring educational programmes in our growing network of schools and colleges.
The new Changemakers space will see Unloc grow our provision and increase our London offer as part of our ambition to expand our reach and offer programmes in all English regions by 2023. In the 2018-19 academic year, Unloc’s programme reach increased by over 40% on the previous year to 10,910 young people.
About Westminster Kingsway College
Westminster Kingsway College is one of the largest further education colleges in London and is part of Capital City College Group, alongside City and Islington College and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, and an apprenticeship and training provider Capital City College Training.
Its diverse student body includes around 14,000 learners, mainly from the wider London area, but also including those who travel further afield across the South East and abroad in order to study on its acclaimed vocational and academic courses. The college is based across four centres in Camden and Westminster, located in the heart of the city in King’s Cross, Victoria and Soho.
About Visionnaires
Visionnaires is a Capital City College Group social enterprise that supports and incubates new businesses. This is accomplished through a structured programme run by a start-up specialist, offering advice on what it takes to be self-employed, how to start your own business and encouraging people to turn their ideas into practical steps to get them to where they wish to be. Sessions include Marketing, Selling, Finance and Tax, a practice sales pitch and a bank of valuable online resources.
