2023-05-19 15:14:20
Bridgend intern wins award for most progress as she navigates the world of work
Rhyannon Burt, an intern working in customer service at hygiene service provider, PHS, has won an award for Most Progress in Hft’s Project SEARCH Celebration Event, held this week to highlight the incredible journeys interns and graduates on the programme have been on over the past 12 months.
Rhyannon, who is supported by national learning disability charity Hft and Bridgend College, and is enrolled on the DFN Project SEARCH employability programme, was nominated for her successful professional outcomes and evident growth in confidence since the start of the programme.
“When Rhyannon first started the programme, she was very nervous and quiet, and needed support to manage feeling anxious,” says Katy Forrester from Hft. “As the programme has continued, we have noticed her become more and more confident. While she used to regularly have support from home onsite, she is now confident enough to be at PHS independently.”
Katy continues, “At the beginning of March, we attended a busy jobs fair in Cardiff. Although Rhyannon did feel nervous, she attended the fair for the whole duration. She also travelled to Cardiff for the first time without a parent which is something she never thought she would do.
“Rhyannon has also been excelling professionally. After being placed within the Customer Service department, a manager noticed how well she was doing with her work – so well that he asked she be moved onto his team! He has now trusted Rhyannon to do the full role which can involve difficult processes.”
Rhyannon says, “I really enjoyed my time with Project SEARCH and found it to be really helpful in developing my skills and confidence. thanks to this programme I was able to get a Customer Service apprenticeship with PHS.
“During my second rotation the team leader for contracts processing noticed my conversations with a colleague and asked me to be in his team for the rest of the rotation. He saw my hard work and ability and then offered me an apprenticeship with his team.”
Julie Harries, work-based learning lead at PHS Group adds, “We are so happy that Rhyannon has decided to accept a full-time role at PHS. We so enjoyed having her join us on the internship programme. Her engaging personality and professionalism, as well as her incredible work ethic has led to her securing this role.
“This is the fourth role we have offered to Project SEARCH interns, and we couldn’t be prouder of everyone’s progress into employment with us. We really hope that other businesses seek out new workforce members outside of their usual employment pool, and choose to work with Project Search. We have really benefited as a business from diversifying our team.”
This is the second year that Hft has held the awards ceremony and this year 20 interns and graduates across England and Wales are being recognised for their commitment and hard work.
“Each and every intern is deserving of celebration – their journeys all involve learning a range of new skills, hard work and dedication. We want to acknowledge these achievements, and shine a light on the stories of the interns and graduates we are supporting,” says Bryony Dolby, National Programme Co-ordinator (Project SEARCH) at Hft.
“Hft is incredibly privileged to work with a wide range of supportive and inclusive partner organisations and a cohort of talented, hardworking interns and graduates. Our team of Employability Coaches works with partners to provide tailored support to interns and graduates to give them the opportunity to gain and develop the skills needed for paid work in their chosen career.
“Year after year we are blown away by the commitment shown by those we are supporting, their positive attitude and perseverance towards achieving their goals. This year has been no exception. Rhyannon is a well-deserved winner of this award, as she has shown how she has embraced contributing in the workplace, being professional and continuing his personal development.”
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
