Elizabeth Takyi (BA Hons PGcert)

Experience

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  LKA Creatives LTD

  Oct 1990 - Jul 2009

  Freelance Hair& Fashion, Special Effect Makeup Artist

  Catwalk, Editorial, Fashion and Photographic, Bridal, Special Effects, Character, Ageing, & Futuristic all with hair and make-up experience. Creative & Decade hair styling. Image & Fashion Stylist. •Freelance Make-up artist (Male/ Female)•Make-up and Hair Artist -Trade Show 2008 (Alexandra Palace).• Clothes show live (Manchester) Assisting and applying make-up on Models.• TV and film hair & makeup artistry, Special Effect make-up, Halloween, Eastenders, Emmerdale, Casualty, The Bill, Bad Girls and many more British Soaps. TV commercials Show less

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  Kings College Hospital University/Waterloo and Dunraven School- (Streatham)

  Jan 2006 - Dec 2008

  Exams Invigilator

  Worked as a university Invigilator, overseeing exams and making sure exams were run according to examination rules and regulations, distributing exam papers, ensuring and enforcing strict exam operation rules, collecting exam papers and ensuring these are returned to the exam offices safely and securely.

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  Freelance

  May 2006 - Sept 2009

  Michelle James (Freelance Hair Stylist Black Hair and Beauty, Pride Magazine)

  •I worked with Michelle James on Photoshoots, catwalks, editorials, and Bridal Make-up, for Black Hair & Beauty magazine and Pride Magazine.Duel Photo Shoot (July 2009) Makeup & Fashion Stylist I gained valuable experience, in applying make-up, fashion styling and hair styling.•Assisted in applying make-up on models and performers for the Afro Hair and Beauty (2006-2009)2009- Present -Freelance makeup Artist wedding, Fashion, and much more.....

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  Thames Housing Association

  Aug 2006 - Dec 2007

  Customer Services Advisor

  Answering telephone calls regarding repairs, rent collection, keys collection, emailing messages to senior members of staff, logging all repairs, dealing with transfer applications Mutual exchange and HOMES nomination, and making sure that meeting rooms are set up.

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  University of Roehampton

  Jun 2008 - Sept 2008

  Student Support (Temporary Post)

  Various positions helping out with student enrolment, working in the student library providing students with information, and carrying out general administration duties. Reception duties, emails, and issuing student IDs.answering general inquiries and generally helping out whenever needed.

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  Home Maker

  Oct 2009 - Jul 2011

  Homemaker

  Raising my daughter as a stay-at-home mother developed my skills in prioritising tasks, good time management, and organisational skills, practising good listening skills and managing the family income on a budget.

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  S. T.O. R.M Empowerment Charity

  Jul 2011 - Oct 2013

  Employment Engagement Advisor

  Responsible for the creation of the popular ‘Job Shop’ which catered to 200+ vulnerable women, supporting their growth and career development. Acted as the main contact as an employment and engagement advisor. Supporting clients with Neurodiverse Conditions and other specific learning difficulties to gain core career skills such as CV writing, Basic English skills, and filling out Job applications. Being the first point of contact for women who have suffered domestic violence, people with long-term mental health difficulties, such as anxiety, gain meaningful employment. Working closely with Job Centre Plus in processing client referrals and job searches. Taught life skills, Numeracy, Literacy, and ICT to all clients. Show less

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  LKA Creatives LTD

  Mar 2013 - Nov 2014

  Freelance- Fashion Stylist

  Freelance work Fashion Styling, Magazine, photo shoots, personal Stylist.

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  Ealing and Hammersmith College

  Nov 2013 - Jul 2014

  Learning Support Assistant

  Providing specialist one-to-one support to neurodivergent students, including those with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autism, ADHD, Irlen Syndrome, Global Developmental Delay, Mental Health, Preder-Willi Syndrome, Tourette's Syndrome, Physical Disability, Deaf and Partially Sighted, within the inclusive learning department. Assisting students with note-taking, accessing the community, budgeting, well-being, fitness, functional skills including maths, English, and ICT as well as day-to-day life skills.

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  Capita Education Resourcing

  Jun 2014 - Sept 2014

  Career Trainer/Employability Advisor

  Offered a fresh approach to employability information advice and guidance, working with employers and colleges to create a positive transition into career sector where positive outcomes were achieved. Working in partnership with colleges to develop students and career opportunities, effectively working with students’ employment opportunities and career exploration with a focus on student’s strengths to further progress. Building a strong rapport with external clients and companies and connecting students with employers to gain valuable skills through work placements and apprenticeships. Assisting students with Job applications, CV writing, and application forms and providing in-depth knowledge of interview. Show less

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  West Thames College

  Oct 2014 - Jun 2015

  Level 3 VTCT Media makeup Tutor

  (Academic year Teaching placement) Responsible for the delivery of the creative and intense Makeup course, devising a weekly scheme of work, and creative lesson planning in order to keep students energised and engaged. Completing in-depth live demonstrations of makeup application techniques. Observing and assessing peer-to-peer makeup practices and providing constructive feedback for students to excel, embedding functional skills and overseeing the smooth running of all classroom activities. Show less

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  The Link Secondary School Speech, Language & Communication difficulties

  Feb 2016 - Jan 2017

  Further Education SEN Teacher Post 16

  Taught over 50 neurodivergent students Maths, English, Science and as well as other curriculum subjects. Devised and delivered innovative classroom activities to increase pupil engagement. Supported with the assessments of ongoing pupil assignments, delivering tailored support, including note-taking, to pupils working below the national expected curriculum level. Working closely with the inclusive learning department to cater to student needs and delivering results under stringent deadlines. General classroom support. Show less

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  Aspire2Inspire Dyslexia CIC

  Apr 2016 - Oct 2022

  Founder/CEO Director

  Overseeing the smooth running of all company operations, implementing and delivering company values, recruiting and overseeing 15+ members of staff including freelancers and board of directors, devising funding pitches, hosting and delivering events, webinars, live shows and podcasts and award ceremony. Delivering employability, well-being and personal development workshops to over 500 clients annually. Part of my role as a CEO/DirectorEnsure governance procedures and policies are in place, reviewed and followed Achieve an annual income through sales and fundraising at a level which sustains the organisation Manage the organisation's expenditure effectively including ensuring timely payment of invoicesEstablish effective relationships and collaborate with key stakeholders including customers, partners, funders and other organisations Drive the organisation's growth through strategic planning and development of a solid business case for funding and presentation to the Board plus more...... Achievements: Featured in the prestigious Forbes magazine, graced the cover of over 4 magazines and articles including Greenwich University and Wandsworth Connextions Business and The British Dyslexia Association. Creating and hosting the ‘all things Dyslexia’ podcasts, with an average listening of over 200 streams per month, becoming a frequent guest speaker at prestigious institutions such as Allen & Overy Law Firm, Imperial College London and Wimbledon Tennis, developed a loyal base of over 13,000+ neurodivergent clients based, for over 6 years, and being a positive mentor to aspiring both young and adult Dyslexic professionals. Building a strong rapport with prestigious companies, clients and education institutions. Awards: The British Dyslexia Association - Smart Award 2019 Genius Within - Genius of the Year 2021 (1st Runner Up) +More Show less

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  Wandsworth Council Lifelong Learning

  Jan 2019 - Jul 2019

  Personal Development Tutor

  Delivered the highly successful Personal Development Programme to vulnerable Parents, exploring topics such as confidence building, self-esteem, The Power of Positive thinking, resilience, self-care, mindfulness, and employability skills. Mentoring and coaching individuals with goal planning and one-to-one support in self-development. Tailored course content for neurodivergent clients and worked alongside managers to successfully implement adjustments. Setting individualised targets and monitoring weekly progress in order to assist in clients achieving their goals. Show less

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  A2i Dyslexia CIC

  Mar 2020 - Oct 2022

  Dyslexia and othe SpLD Podcaster title (All things Dyslexia)Working in partnership with Salt & Pepper production, Jola is fantastic at producing top notch podcast, for the dyslexic community, With a particular focus on dyslexia within black community, well as discussion on Black and Ethnic Minorities and dyslexia. We are sponsored by organisations such as Black Thrive Lambeth, The London Community Foundation, The London Lottery Community Fund, Wimbledon foundation, Black Funding Network, The European Union Social fund and Education skills funding Agency, Paddington Trust and many more. Show less

  • Founder/CEO A2i Dyslexia

    Apr 2016 - Oct 2022

  • Host at A2i Dyslexia Live Show (All things Dyslexia)

    Mar 2020 - Oct 2021
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  Cambridge University

  Mar 2021 - Jul 2021

  Neurodiversity Mentor

  Successfully mentored students with learning differences such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, Autism, and Mental health issues. Mentoring students on different degrees, MA and PhD courses, during Covid 19 with issues relating to anxiety, mental health, and general support with their studies. Completing students’ attendance registers and logging weekly progress.

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  Neurobox

  Aug 2023 - now

  As an Ambassador for neurobox, I will be using my own lived experience to increase understanding and advocate for neurodiversity and the empowerment of those with a neuro difference.I’ll be attending and speaking at events, conferences and exhibitions around the UK, representing neurobox and educating others on the importance of building neuro-inclusive working environments for their disabled neurodivergent employees and people with a long-term health conditions. Working closely with the Marketing team I’ll also be producing content for a variety of communication channels, raising awareness to the wider community and driving growth. Show less

  • Neurodiversity & Disability Engagement Lead

    Mar 2025 - now

  • neurobox Ambassador/Speaker

    Aug 2023 - Mar 2025

  • neurobox Ambassador/Speaker

    Aug 2023 - Mar 2025