About Me

My name is Abid, a year 10 student at Stratford school.  By working at LIFT, I hope to gain better communication skills, and learn to get along with new people, learn to take responsibility and become a better and more independent person.  I chose administration work as a preferred work experience because of the skills I can achieve and expand on, learn new things and I knew I’d be doing some form of admin work when I grow up.  I chose to work at LIFT because I’ve never heard of the organisation before and it’s a chance for me to broaden my knowledge about it, and also seemed like something I’d be interested in.  I chose LIFT considering the distance I have to travel everyday to get to the office, because I wanted the experience of having to travel to work, and make me feel more independent.  I plan on going to college after school and do my A levels, and hopefully get a place in Cambridge University, or any other university that will offer my desired course.  I want to be a physiotherapist, firstly because apparently the pay is really good and it is something I am interested in.  I have always been interested in sports and due to interest; I have participated in many sport activities, after school clubs and outside school.


Working at LIFT!


It’s only been a few days working at LIFT but I already love working here, I’ve got to know the company really well and have learnt so much from it.  I couldn’t believe how fast the days passed by, felt like it was just the other day I had my interview to work here.  I think it’s one of the best career choices I would’ve ever made…working at lift has really opened my eyes to the working life, made me so much aware of things around, financial and marketing stuff like advertising and more importantly, I have really got to know the staff who are all so amazing people, everyone individual in there own way and not just because they work in different departments.  Kate Ward, a wonderful supervisor who should be known famous for her hot chocolate, maybe work at Starbucks or even open her own café…I know when she reads this, she will most likely start laughing but probably not consider my idea.   She is a very caring person and I feel very lucky and fortunate to have her watch over me.  Also, Beki Bateson is a very amusing person to talk to who looks much younger than she really is! (Looks like the wrinkle creams were worth buying! LOL jokes.)


Weather has been horrible, been pouring down with rain all week like there’s a leak in the sky but through the rain and dark skies comes the salvation of the office and the warm greetings of the staff which makes the day seem so much brighter.

I enjoy all the work I get to do, even the horrible job of having had to re-label the files but didn’t mind doing it firstly because I had no choice (actually I think I maybe did, but didn’t want to be a stick in the mud and give Kate the idea that I was lazy and unreliable! I may seem lazy as I hate having to walk anywhere, but if doing the work meant easing everyone else’s pain and making them smile then I am all for it.


I enjoy most getting to travel around like I did with Kate on Tuesday to Westminster and to Stratford with Pete on Wednesday.  Pete Staves is the festival producer at LIFT, an amazing and funny guy to get to know, he says he’s 35 but I’m thinking he’s 25 (maybe Beki and Pete are both using the same cream!).  As hard as I tried paying attention and take minutes on Tuesday’s meeting, I did not understand a single thing said but having Beki’s Mac kept me occupied.  I found the American dude’s accent very cool who apparently is a board member, and overall I really enjoyed going there.  I really enjoyed the meeting with Pete and Jan from Theatre Royal Stratford East.  As far as I can remember (which isn’t much) it was about the ‘young actors company’, I was more engaged in this meeting as I was able to contribute to the discussion and give my own opinion and ideas, oh and I also learnt about Roma people who I didn’t know about before so it was interesting learning about them.


Trip to Archive!

Today, arriving very late to the office, it was to my amazement that Kate and Laura were the only people in as everyone else was out at meetings.  For being late 2 days in a row and just a little something for Kate/office, I bought in a box of Chocó mocha…for that extra deliciousness, Kate made me my 1st cup and also my breakfast.

We made our way to the pier where we waited what seemed like 30 shivering cold minutes for the boat to arrive.  Hastening to be on time, we took a black taxi to Goldsmiths University where the archives are.  My 1st time going there and being in a taxi! Anyhow, I was very fascinated by the living archive, didn’t think LIFT would have such an interesting history.

We saw props, letters, design ideas and even posters, all beautifully preserved over many years, just wish we could of stayed there for longer but the stagnant smell which seemed like I was the only person noticing it, wasn’t very welcoming and breathing fresh air was a relief.


Overall I think this week was very amazing, I got to know everyone here, I’ve visited places I would’ve never been to, had probably the nicest hot chocolate and mochachino I’ve ever had, experienced much more than just work and really got to know the company and how it works.  Wish the last week would just take its time, but I hope I would come back sometime.  As much as I look forward to weekends on a school day, I look more forward to work and getting to see the people at LIFT.