It may not seem like it, given the grey skies, but SUMMER is now well and truly upon us! Not ones to slack off in these, the most outreach-friendly of months, we are launching our biggest and best Summer Programme ever... EVER! with events in literally every corner of the Borough (as well as most of the bit in the middle too!).

This is an amazing opportunity for you to get involved in a hands-on way with our work including many after work sessions that we'd love you to volunteer to help at! If you'd like to find out more then click here to see the programme or click here to e-mail Suzy about getting involved!

Last month we told you about it and now you, yes you, and thousands of other visitors to the site, can now have the pleasure of seeing Gateway Media's latest video in all it's glory over on the Grand Designs Live website.

Recently we've also finished videos for the Jack Petchey Foundation and Denton Wilde Sapte this month so if you're organisation is starting to feel left out drop Gateway Media a line and help support local enterprise.

If the Summer Programme wasn't enough to worry about, our Outreach team put on a huge football tournament this month in partnership with the Police's local Safer Neighbourhoods Teams. 60 young people took part in a hugely succesful day which had a great atmosphere and saw some great goals and tackles as our staff and the SNTs themselves also got stuck in.

Not one but two Engage courses started this month and both have already seen some unusually enthusiastic guys getting some basic qualifications in the bag. The courses are also just starting to take advantage of some exciting new facilities made available to us in Limehouse... but more on that next month!

Over 30 people took part in our most recent Export course and received work experience in our social enterprises, with some even spending time in other offices thanks to our partners BLM and Allen & Overy. We're also delighted to have been able to take on Rees as an apprentice and he's already getting stuck in, helping out on the Engage programme!

Following on from our recent Export course (as described above) international legal practice Allen & Overy offered 2 placements for our graduates in their IT department. After interviewing Monsor, Yahia, Shuhel and Jameel they decided that they would take all 4 of them instead! The initial placements are for 6 weeks, with a possible extension to 3 months.

We would like to send a great big thank you to Allen & Overy for all the support and help they give to City Gateway - indeed last year 2 of our graduates went on similar placements with them and are now employed there. Wonderful stuff!

We're really spoiling you this month! Not just a staff member of the month but an entire team to puzzle over!

As you know we recently launched, in partnership with the LDA, a new initiative to offer training and progression for women to help tackle barriers to employment, raise awareness of job opportunities, provide childcare and release their bursting potential! And all for FREE!Despite the weather we've had 20 women complete training courses and a further 17 receive information, advice and guidance consultations.

In all these things, the team are also ably supported by Pona - who runs the creche, Hannah - who runs outreach for the project and Janna - who helps with everything!

Curly-haired Anna heads up the team and makes sure everything is ship shape

Miriam looks after our sewing course and also works with the women to ensure steady progression.

Lofty Lucy oversees all our courses and ensures quality is maintained throughout as well as getting stuck in herself when needed.

Ever-smiling Rukeya looks after our team's admin and helps run information sessions in Bengali.

We'd like to say a great big thank you to the guys on Safer Neighbourhood Teams who helped us put on an amazing football tournament (see above). Not only did they provide refreshments and a dazzling trophy to award they also took to the pitch and demonstrated that their ball skills weren't too shabby either!

We're always excited to partner up with local organisations who are making an impact on our community and we hope this will lead on to even bigger and better opportunities in the future!