Natalie Duo
On the 4th November, I again had the privilege of presenting the Mencap Training Academy employer awards.
Greene King once again kindly sponsored and hosted the awards at their Grade II listed pub, The George Inn by London Bridge.
There was lots of lovely food and drink that everyone got to enjoy while talking to each other before the awards got underway.
We had over 80 people in attendance from nearly all of the employers who have worked with our supported internship learners over the past year. They were able to enjoy some food and drink, and each other's company before the awards got underway.
Attendees were greeted by learners who completed our supported internship last year, like Eddie and Emily, who secured jobs with Delfont Mackintosh Theatres and Chopstix Noodle respectively.
Former learner, Lucas was also working behind the bar, having got a job with Greene King at The George last year and current learners were also present serving drinks.
Once everyone had had a chance to mingle and get some food, we got underway with the awards.
First up, Mencap's Chief Executive, Jon Sparkes gave a fantastic and funny speech, thanking all the employers present for the support they've given Mencap and our learners over the past year. He reflected on some of the successes learners have had thanks to these partnerships. He also talked about all the work Mencap is doing ahead of the Millburn Review to ensure there are more opportunities for people with a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. and SEND to be supported into work, and that employers have the support they need to employ people.
Next up, Graham Briggs, Social Lead at Greene King who talked about our organisations Organisations are groups like companies and businesses. ' partnership and all the work Greene King do as an inclusive employer.
A highlight for me was getting to hear from Maddy who completed our supported internship a few years ago in 2022 and has been working for Greene King since then. Maddy sat down for a really interesting questions and answers session with our employer relationship
manager
A manager is a boss at work. They tell you what you need to do and give you support if you need it.
, Kayley. Maddy told the audience about how Mencap supported her, what it means to her to work for Greene King, and how she has developed her skills and confidence since working for them.
It was great seeing former and current learners getting some additional
work experience
Work experience is when you try out a job to help you learn new skills.
at the event, and I really enjoyed the speeches.
Then I was up to present the awards.
I was assisted by my wonderful colleague and head of development at Mencap, Mark Capper. We made a great team presenting the different award categories and nominees - some people I spoke to after even compared us to Ant and Dec!
I'd then build the suspense by leading a drumroll before announcing the winners.
It all went really smoothly except for when it came to opening the envelopes with the winner inside, when my nails got in the way a bit!
It was such a nice feeling inviting all the winners and nominees up to the front to accept their awards and certificates.
Winner: Robert Cooke, Greene King
In nominating Robert for this award, our team said:
"Robert has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to creating opportunities for our Mencap Training Academy learners and continues to be an exceptional
advocate
An advocate is a person who can help you have your say. An advocate can speak up for you if you find it hard.
for the Supported Internship programme. Through hosting employer matching events, connecting pubs across the country, and championing inclusive
employment
Employment means having a job.
, he has played a key role in advancing Greene King's commitment to social mobility and inclusion.
Over the last year, Robert has worked hard to promote the programme across multiple sites, engaging managers and encouraging teams to embrace inclusive recruitment practices. He has also shown remarkable dedication by identifying and allocating resources to support learners in gaining their first paid employment opportunities. As a direct result of his leadership and commitment, four learners from our most recent cohort successfully secured sustained employment outcomes."
Nominees:
- Debs Good, 2econd Chance CIC
- Hannah Bowness Smith, Midlands Art Centre (MAC)
- Tim Culver, Southwestern Rail
- Sellwyn Tulloch, Network Rail
Winner: Marston's
In nominating Marston's for this award, our teams said:
"Marston's supported two of our learners in Northamptonshire, Lillie and Owen into paid jobs at their Wig and Walnut and Middlemore Farm venues respectively. In nominating them for this award, colleagues cited the meaningful work experience Experience is when you have learned or tried something before. and responsibilities they extended to learners, with Owen getting to prep and cook meals and desserts in the kitchen, for example.
Marston's also gave amazing support during these placements. They were flexible and made changes to tasks and job roles to suit learners' skills and needs. And they provided clear guidance Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well. and regular feedback."
Nominees:
- Islington
Council
A council is also called a local authority. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
- West Midlands Fire Service A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support.
Winner: GXO
In nominating GXO for this award, our teams said:
"GXO have continued to be one of our most consistent and dedicated employer partners, this year offering paid job outcomes to 8 of our learners across our supported internship programmes.
Besides this, GXO go above and beyond, offering so many placements in Staffordshire and giving us use of classroom spaces at their sites that allow us to run programmes based there, maximising the amount of work experience we can provide and learners' chances of developing and securing work.
GXO have also given lots of other opportunities to learners over the years. For example, they have offered people the chance to learn new skills like operating pickup vehicles, or doing a broader range of work like getting involved Involved is being included in something or taking part in something. in promoting and running fun activities for colleagues.
They have also introduced a buddy system for our learners, as well as introducing quiet sensory spaces for when people are feeling overstimulated or overwhelmed."
Nominees
- Chopstix Noodle
- Delfont Mackintosh Theatres
- Mitie
- Outrider Games
Winner: Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)
In nominating MAC for this award, our teams said:
"MAC have offered paid job outcomes in every year we've worked with them so far, in a variety of roles including technician, roles in the cafe and shop and in the duty team. Former Mencap Training Academy learners like Hannah have continued to be offered development opportunities in their roles with MAC, later taking on a hospitality apprenticeship and getting the chance to mentor later learners like Poppy who also went on to get a job.
We know MAC will continue to nurture and support learners after they finish with us and our skills coaches are no longer there to provide regular support. We're looking forward to seeing how they continue to support Deniro in his role after he became the latest of our learners to get a job at MAC in 2025/26."
Nominees
Fair Shot Cafe
GXO
Winner: Delfont Mackintosh Theatres
In nominating Delfont Mackintosh for this award, our teams said:
"In the 2025/26 academic year, Delfont Mackintosh made 5 job offers to our learners across 3 of our programmes and at various of their theatres across London’s West End. This included for one learner at short notice when another of their placements fell through and was not able to offer a job.
Delfont Mackintosh have supported people into paid outcomes every year we’ve worked with them. They offer contracted hours also, guaranteeing people regular work. Wayne and the team do a fantastic job, gradually developing people's skills and confidence to the point where they can work evening shifts which is a key requirement for working in theatres and something that may have proven a barrier for the people we work with, had they not received such amazing support from such an inclusive employer."
Nominees:
Greene King
GXO
It was a privilege to announce the winners and to invite them and all the nominees to accept their trophies and certificates.
Throughout the day, attendees were able to buy raffle tickets, entering the draw for some amazing prizes that were very generously donated by our employer partners, and helping to raise money for Mencap.
After the awards presentation, members of Mencap's fundraising team announced the winners:
It was an honour hosting the awards again this year and I really enjoyed speaking with so many employers who are so committed to being inclusive and supporting our learners.
I've also loved reading employers' posts on LinkedIn about the awards and what it means to them to have been nominated or to have won an award.
I can't wait for next year's awards!
About Natalie
When not co-presenting awards, Natalie Duo is a co-trainer at Mencap, delivering learning disability awareness training to employers. She is a graduate of one of our supported internship programmes, during which time she completed work experience with The
Financial
Financial means anything that is to do with money. It is used to describe how people, businesses, or governments get money and how they use it
Times. Natalie regularly contributes articles featuring interviews with our employer partners and learners which you can read on the Mencap Training Academy
website
A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube.
.