The founder of a charity supporting disabled people into work has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Samantha Everard, known as Sammy, has been made an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for the work she does with her Bournemouth-based charity Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship (SAMEE).
SAMEE, founded in 2015, helps disabled people develop employability skills and explore self-employment.
Reflecting on the honour she said this was “the best gift” to share with her “incredible team”.
Mrs Everard, a social entrepreneur, also co-created the UK’s first two-year Supported Self-Employment Internship programme in 2023.
It offers intensive mentoring and training for young adults with complex needs, including learning difficulties, long-term health conditions and neurodivergence.
Beyond her charity work, Mrs Everard chairs the South West Regional Stakeholder Network, representing disabled people across Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Cornwall, Devon and Bristol.
In this voluntary role, she works with government to ensure disabled voices shape national policy.
“I’m still in shock that I’m receiving an MBE,” she said.
“This recognition is not just for me. It’s for all those disabled people out there working hard in their own businesses and challenging the status quo everyday.”
