2023-05-19 11:33:07
Liverpool interns win awards as they navigate the world of work
Caitlyn Hanlon, an intern in an Alder Hey charity shop, and Abbie, an intern working in communications, have both won awards in Hft’s Project SEARCH Celebration Event, held today to highlight the incredible journeys interns and graduates on the programme have been on over the past 12 months.
Caitlyn and Abbie are both supported by national learning disability charity Hft and are enrolled on the DFN Project SEARCH employability programme.
Caitlyn, who was nominated for was her personal and professional development despite the barriers she has faced as a deaf woman, won the award for Most Progress, whilst Abbie took home the Above and Beyond award for her impressive work in the communications field.

Adam Canton from Hft explains, “Caitlyn has been nominated because she has made huge progress since being on the DFN Project SEARCH Programme to become a key member of The Alder Hey Charity Shop team despite the barriers she has to face.
“She is a credit to herself and is now adept in a range of communication formats including communicating with the non-deaf community. I know she will go on to have an amazing career and all the team who have worked alongside Caitlyn are so proud of the outstanding progress she has made.”
Caitlyn adds, “Since being on the Supported Internship, my confidence has improved so much, and I feel much more independent. My communication skills have improved greatly and now I feel confident working in a hearing environment.”
Meanwhile, Amanda Muir from Hft explains more about Abbie’s experience with Project SEARCH:
“Abbie has impressed managers so much while on placement that they want keep her as an employee. The recent feedback given to managers impressed them so much that an email was sent out to the whole department stating Abbie is what we need and changes need to be made.
“The onsite team would like to thank Abbie for going above what was asked and showing the host business what supported interns can do. Abbie’s employability coach has a copy of the email and the work our winner handed in – it is very impressive.”
Abbie adds, “I felt a bit anxious when I started the supported internship in September and I didn’t have any confidence in the workplace or to do jobs. This changed when I started my first placement in communications as I learnt how companies advertise and manage their social media pages. I also learnt how to write reports and do research on different things.
“I continued to do similar tasks in my second placement, in Marketing Liverpool, as they needed reports on social listening mentions (how many people are talking about a topic) for Eurovision. I also did research on competitors to improve some of the websites owned by Marketing Liverpool.”
She concludes, “Overall, the supported internship has changed what I want to do in the future as a job. Because I enjoyed the work, I now want to work in marketing, a communications team or in a job doing research.
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. Caitlyn and Abi are well-deserved winners of their awards, as they have both shown how they have embraced contributing in the workplace, being professional and continuing their 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