SS&L colleague recognised with BEM for services to skills

We are incredibly proud to share that Tori Seymour, former Supported Internship Tutor at SS&L, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year Honours, recognising her services to skills and education.

Tori worked at SS&L for three years and was involved in the launch year of our Supported Internship programme, supporting young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) to develop confidence, gain qualifications and prepare for working life.

Before joining SS&L, Tori worked with learners with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) at Bicton College, experience which helped shape her learner-centred approach. At SS&L, she supported learners who had often felt disengaged from education, helping them rebuild confidence and belief in their own abilities.

Reflecting on the moment she found out about the award, Tori said she was completely surprised, adding that the recognition is really about the relationships built and what was achieved together for learners.

One of the achievements Tori is most proud of is the programme’s first year, where every learner achieved some form of qualification. One learner even told her that she had completely changed his view of education – a moment that captures the real impact of supported internships.

Tori is quick to point out that the BEM reflects a wider team effort, highlighting the vital role of support workers, managers and mentors who helped make the programme a success.

Although she has since taken on a new challenge within education, now working in data analysis, Tori remains a strong advocate for supported internships and the opportunities they provide for learners who may not have anywhere else to turn.

We would like to congratulate Tori on this well-deserved honour and thank everyone involved in delivering programmes that make a lasting difference.