“There was an overwhelming consensus that we should nominate Gill for this particular award… Gill does exceptional work that is creative, flexible and innovative, but most importantly, she consistently goes the extra mile.”

ABOUT VOLA MERSEYSIDE AND INCLUDE-IT MERSEY

VOLA is a consortium of Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise sector service providers operating in Liverpool. Include-IT Mersey is a digital inclusion project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and ESF. Established in 2017, the project provides digital skills and employment support to digitally excluded, unemployed and economically inactive residents of the Liverpool City Region to help improve their basic ICT and online skills, confidence and access to digital technologies.

ABOUT GILL

Gill originally applied as a participant on the Include-It Mersey project, lacking confidence in her own abilities. She was quickly talent spotted for her IT skills and approachable personality, helping her fellow learners. With a past teaching qualification to her name, she was encouraged to apply as a tutor and quickly became an invaluable member of the team.   

Gill genuinely understands the issues her learners face and wants to help them in all areas. Her person-centred approach is reflected in the successes of her learners, not just work-wise, but in improvements to their quality of life. 

To date, Gill has supported 175 digitally excluded people to gain IT and employment skills and make a positive step forward in life, whether that be into work, further training or, for those with very long-term periods of inactivity, simply being motivated, confident enough and able to look for work. Her learners leave with motivation, passion, and a zest for life they didn’t have before.

COMMENTS AND QUOTES

“When our team first discussed the award categories, there was an overwhelming consensus that we should nominate Gill Tollitt for this particular award. We have some fantastic tutors working on the project, all doing amazing work, but Gill stands out! Gill does exceptional work that is creative, flexible and innovative, but most importantly, she consistently goes the extra mile.”

Stu McGrory, VOLA

“Gill brought a flare to the role with her organisational skills, understanding of what we are trying to achieve and her empathy for the people we are trying to help. She has the knack of understanding what people need, not just in developing their IT and employability skills, but all of the background things that people need to get on in life.”

WEA Manager Graham Barker

“Before I did the course, I had no confidence with computers, in fact I was quite scared of them. Doing the course has opened my eyes. It’s given me the confidence to move forward and achieve my dream job. Gill was brilliant, very helpful and made me feel at ease.”

Nina, Include-IT Mersey learner

WHAT ERSA SAID

Gill’s early lack of confidence in her own abilities gives her a lived experience she now applies daily for the benefit of others. She develops resources that meet the individual needs of learners and motivates and inspires those she works with. With employability always in mind, Gill helps participants in many ways to become more job-ready.

LINKS

https://includeitmersey.org.uk/2020/07/29/gill-tollitt-wins-ersas-frontline-advisor-of-the-year-2020-award/

https://volamerseyside.org.uk/

https://www.thedigitalcollege.co.uk/

https://ersa.org.uk/media/news/ersa-employability-awards-2020-winners