In 2023, Aidan was quiet, nervous and unsure of his future.
In 2025, Aidan is a happy, positive and confident young person.
So, what changed?
Aidan joined the Shaw Trust Supported Internship programme and never looked back.
On this National Supported Internship Day 2025 we want to share with you Aidan’s story.
Aidan heard about the Supported Internship programme and like most of our prospective interns was nervous about applying. When applying to the programme Aidan had a very negative view of himself, he lacked confidence and couldn’t see a way forward after being in the college environment that wasn’t working for him.
During his internship Aidan completed three placements for Young Lives. He worked across several business areas including; admin, creative and research. During these placements Aidan gained valuable job and life skills which enabled him to be a more confident person.
Aidan’s journey through the supported internship programme shows just what can happen from an opportunity and supportive guidance. He joined the internship with a lack of self-belief, having previously struggled academically and feeling defined by others’ opinions. However, the internship set him on his path towards good work and personal growth.
Aidan worked hard and gave his all to his placements and job skills sessions. He learned to confidently interact with new people, a skill that proved invaluable during his standout moment of presenting the Safe Places awards. Standing before a crowd, Aidan overcame his initial nervousness and delivered a presentation, which he describes as his proudest achievement. Transforming from a shy and distrusting person to a confident speaker.
The internship’s supportive environment played a crucial role in Aidan’s development. Job coaches provided positive feedback, helping him refine his grammar and writing, and encouraged him to manage his workload effectively. They also fostered a culture of understanding, recognising the importance of breaks and promoting overall wellbeing.
Aidan’s outlook on life significantly changed. He became more positive and happier, discovering a sense of self-worth. He learned that academic struggles do not define his value and that he is capable of much more than he thought. Summing up the internship into three words “enjoyable, valued, and hard work,” Aidan worked hard and is now a living example of the benefits of such programmes.
His transformation didn’t end with the internship. Aidan successfully secured a role as a Supported Internship Ambassador with Shaw Trust. In this position, he uses his lived experience to support new interns, source placements, and assist the job coach team. He finds immense satisfaction in helping others navigate their own journeys, supporting them on their path to work.
Aidan’s advice to those considering the internship is simple: “Go for it. The people are very supportive and helpful. People think they can’t do a lot, but you will find on this internship that you can do a lot more than you think you can.” Emphasising the programme’s vital role in building confidence and preparing young people for the world of work, advocating for its expansion across the UK.
His new role has further improved his confidence and provided him with opportunities to travel and witness the impact of the internship on others. He is now equipped with essential skills like time management, working to deadlines, and resilience, all while maintaining a positive attitude and embracing learning from mistakes. Aidan’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support and a willingness to embrace challenges, young people can overcome barriers and find rewarding work.
Nicky Brown, Regional Partnerships and Business Development Manager at Shaw Trust said, “The role was developed to help promote Supported Internships, support current interns on placement and with job search and to support our intern voice activities so we can continually review and develop the quality of our programmes”. When asking Nicky about how the job has impacted Aidan she said “It has supported Aidan with his independence and self-confidence, and he is keen to learn as many skills as possible from the role. Aidan can manage his time much more effectively and organise taxis himself when he needs to visit sites”.
Talking to Ann, the Supported Internships Team Leader for Aidan’s area said “Aidan has supported me a lot. He can do any task or research for placement areas unaided and is very responsive. He is now super confident and able to be much more independent”.
This National Supported Internship Day look at what our internship has to offer, you never know, you could be like Aidan in two years. The only thing standing in your way is you.
For more information and to get in touch visit: Supported internships – Shaw Trust
