A big thank you to past student Layla Theophilus, who visited College from the charity UNICEF last week (25 September).  Her talk was designed to support Lower Sixth Business BTEC students as they start work on their first assignment: Researching both a for-profit and a not-for-profit organisation using appropriate information sources.

Speaking about the importance of children’s voice within the charity Layla said, “Children are at the heart of everything we do. Our Youth Advisory Board helps to advise the charity, putting forward their ideas, taking part in workshops and even interviewing our Chief Executive.”

Layla is entering her second year as a Degree Apprentice working as part of the UNICEF UK Advocacy team.  She outlined how different teams work together to raise the charity’s profile and the money needed to change the lives of around 5 million children in the UK.

Layla also touched on her route into an apprenticeship, advising students to read the Careers Bulletin; to seek support from the Careers team; and to keep an open mind about what they might end up enjoying.  The event ran twice, with Layla’s colleague Sophie Hoyland also supporting the event.

UNICEF was set up initially in 1946 to protect the rights of children after World War Two but its remit has grown and developed as they strive to deliver their mission: A Better World for Every Child.

Read more about Layla’s story here