ELATT is undergoing building works during the half-term break and will be closed to visitors from 28 October to 1 November inclusive.
You can contact us by phone on 07862570514 or email us as usual at hello@elatt.org.uk and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
At ELATT, community isn’t just something we talk about, it’s the foundation of everything we do. That’s why this year’s Refugee Week theme, “Community as a Superpower,” deeply resonates with us. Refugee Week 2025 (16–22 June) invites us to reflect on the strength, resilience and everyday acts of solidarity that transform individual lives and bring us all closer together.
Whether it’s through the kindness of a classmate, a supportive teacher, or the shared experience of learning something new, community is the invisible thread that holds people together, especially for those who have been forced to leave their homes and rebuild from scratch.
We’ve seen firsthand how building supportive communities empower refugees and migrants not only to gain skills and confidence, but to thrive and to help others thrive, too.
For many refugees and asylum seekers, arriving in a new country means navigating uncertainty, isolation and significant challenges. But it also marks the beginning of something new: a chance to rebuild, to connect, and to belong.
This year’s theme, “Community as a Superpower”, reminds us that strength doesn’t always come from big gestures. Sometimes it’s the everyday moments, sharing a meal, helping someone learn English, or simply showing up, that create safety, trust and hope.
Community is the healing force that enables people to recover, to grow, and to imagine a future beyond survival. It’s the superpower that turns strangers into neighbours, and students into changemakers.
ELATT is more than an education provider, we are a learning community where people from all walks of life come together to learn, connect and move forward.
For more than 40 years, we’ve offered free courses in English, Digital Skills, Business, Media, Software Development, and more to adult learners and young people across London. But our work goes far beyond the classroom. We offer holistic support to help our students thrive, in learning, in wellbeing, and in life.
Many of our learners are refugees, asylum seekers or migrants navigating complex life transitions. At ELATT, they find not just education, but a sense of belonging, a place where their strengths are recognised, their voices are valued, and their goals are supported.
We’ve seen students arrive at ELATT shy, isolated or unsure of their future, only to discover skills, confidence and connection they didn’t know they had.
From mastering English to landing a job interview, from taking active parts in campaigns and projects to volunteering in their communities, our learners show us what’s possible when people feel supported and included.
Here are some of their voices:
“When I joined my class, I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t share my experience. I felt shy. Nowadays, I beat my shyness when I joined ELATT ESOL classes.”
“Thanks to ELATT, today I realised my dream. After taking the ESOL course, I started volunteering at Baby Bank for a year. Then, I completed my Teaching Assistant Level 2 course, and recently I applied for a job. Now, I am working as a Teaching Assistant at Walthamstow Montessori School. I am so grateful to ELATT and everyone who was present during my journey. Thank you for everything.”
“ELATT is like a family. They helped me grow as a person and gave me the support I needed to succeed.”
These stories aren’t the exception; they are the everyday reality of what happens when community and opportunity come together.
Education alone isn’t enough. That’s why our wraparound support system, including wellbeing support is central to how we support our migrant, refugee and asylum seeker students. From one-to-one career support and group workshops to mindfulness, movement and creative activities, we help students manage stress, process their experiences, build emotional resilience and build confidence.
Through our careers team, students also receive support with CVs, job interviews and work placements. Our volunteering and enrichment programmes offer opportunities to build experience, meet new people, and contribute to the wider community.
We understand that people need more than qualifications, they need connection, purpose, and a sense of agency. And that’s exactly what we aim to provide.
To celebrate Refugee Week 2025, we’re bringing our students together for a special event that reflects the heart of this year’s theme.
We will be celebrating Refugee Week on 3 July for a day of:
It’s a chance to honour the journeys of our learners, celebrate their contributions, and experience the magic of community in action.
In a time when global displacement continues to rise, and many refugees face barriers to education and employment, community-led initiatives like ELATT’s are more vital than ever.
We believe that every person, regardless of their background, deserves the chance to grow, belong and succeed. When we invest in inclusive education and support, we don’t just change individual lives, we create a stronger, more connected society.
Because when people are empowered, they don’t just survive, they contribute. They lead. They build equal futures, not just for themselves, but for all of us.
There are many ways you can be part of this work:
Let’s continue to build a London where everyone, no matter their story, has the chance to thrive.
© ELATT 2024 | East London Advanced Technology Training (ELATT) is a registered charity in England and Wales 299186, registered company 01812908
