London College of Communications students have donated their time and marketing expertise to a Camberwell-based organisation that helps children who have been excluded from mainstream education, are at risk of being excluded, or who are regularly absent.
The university students helped with photography and making free animations for Elevated Minds, a community interest company with a limited budget.
The initiative was part of Talent Works, which brings together local charities with students who can offer their time and resources. Nearly 100 organisations have so far benefitted from the scheme. They include Black Connection, a social network for Black queer men aged 50 and over, and Voades, a charity providing emotional support for Spanish and Portuguese speakers,
Doreen Sinclair-McCollin, founder and CEO of Elevated Minds, said “The students talked us through each step of what they were doing. They knew our brief well and were able to provide examples of what we requested.
“They listened well and took onboard everything we said, telling us what would work and what wouldn’t and the reasons why.
“It was a great experience and we had a good connection with the students.
“We would like to work with the team again to produce future advertising resources, for example a banner and a standardised email signature for all employees, as well as mentoring for one of our creative young people to produce a company animation.”
Adeola Ogunsiji-Isaac, who is an undergraduate photography student at London College of Communication, said: “I don’t think I was expecting the client relationship to be as good as it was and I think because it was community-based that was why it was so fun.”
Gill Henderson, Cultural and Communities Partnerships Manager at London College of Communication added: “In the context of a global pandemic, it has never been more important for grassroots community groups to develop their digital communications and how they present themselves online.
“This is why this year’s edition of the Talent Works programme has been particularly special for both students and groups.
“For most students this was their first opportunity to collaborate in person with students outside their course, to work on a professional brief and build relationships with clients.
“We could not be prouder of the work produced by the students over the course of these two weeks, and we look forward to seeing how the groups will continue to use these websites, platforms, designs and promotional videos going forward.”