Project Employ

10/11/2025

Thanks to the generosity and support of Aotearoa Gaming Trust, we can continue providing individualised Job Coach support to our trainees.

Our dedicated Job Coaches work alongside the trainees; teaching, guiding and encouraging them during their 6 month hospitality and employability skills training in Flourish Cafe. They help the trainees identify and/or develop strategies that will help them in the cafe, future paid employment, and in everyday life.

Thanks to this grant from Aotearoa Gaming Trust, the neurodiverse young adults that come through our training programme will have the best possible chance of becoming confident employees, and living their best lives.

04/11/2025

We'd love you to join us on March 21st, 2026 at our annual Dinner & Auction Fundraiser.

With MC Angela Bloomfield and auctioneer extraordinaire Shane Cortese (both proud Project Employ Ambassadors), the beautiful surroundings and delicious food of Hilton Auckland, New Zealand, and live music from Nathan Fry, you could not ask for a more fun-filled night out.

We'll hear from Project Employ Graduates about how their lives and futures have been transformed since gaining meaningful employment. Plus, we'll hear from their employers about the positive impact partnering with Project Employ and becoming a more inclusive and diverse workforce has had on their businesses.

So, grab your tickets/table of 10 today and join us at this inspiring and truly life-changing event.
Tickets available via our website https://www.projectemploy.nz/

03/11/2025

Each year we receive so many applications from neurodiverse young adults hoping to enrol on our training programme - motivated to gain meaningful employment, but lacking the employability skills, work experience and confidence to do so.

It is thanks to the generosity of organisations such as Simplicity Foundation that we are able to provide them with the much needed stepping stone between school and employment.

So today we’re doing a huge shout out of thanks to Simplicity Foundation for believing in the work we do and, more importantly, believing in all those hardworking, talented young people that employers would otherwise be missing out on.

Thank you Simplicity Foundation, for choosing to donate to Project Employ! You are amazing 👏👏

02/11/2025

Applications for our January 2026 trainee intake our now.... OPEN!

If you (or someone you know) are:
- aged 18-28
- identify as being neurodiverse and/or have a learning difference
- are one step away from being work-ready, but would benefit from 6 months' job coaching and work experience
- can get to Takapuna for your Flourish Cafe training shifts
.. then apply here! https://www.projectemploy.nz/trainee-application

31/10/2025

Applications for our January 2026 intake open 9am, Monday 3rd November!
We'll post a link to the Trainee Application Form on Monday but in the meantime, check out our website https://www.projectemploy.nz/

30/10/2025

Flourish Cafe, 185 Fanshawe Street, Auckland CBD - the best coffee & grab ‘n’ go food in town!

Wishing you could have a devil-ee delicious mug of milky, barista-made coffee? Possibly with a freshly filled bagel or an evil-ee decadent chocolate slice?
Pop into Flourish Cafe, 185 Fanshawe Street, Auckland CBD (Air NZ building) and our colourful team will be only too happy to make your every wish come true! 🎃 🧚 🧙

29/10/2025

Happy Thursday from all at Project Employ 🎉

A huge shout out of thanks today, to The Lion Foundation for their incredibly generous grant towards our Flourish Cafe rent.

This grant means the PE Board and team can focus on the important things - supporting neurodiverse young adults to gain meaningful employment.

Thank you The Lion Foundation for your continued support of PE - your generosity will have an impact on so many 👏👏👏

28/10/2025

👏👏👏 Tickets are on sale NOW! Don't miss out on attending the charity fundraiser of 2026!
Get yours today from https://www.projectemploy.nz/

23/10/2025

It was a privilege being among the guests at Shaw and Partners NZ's Client Appreciation Event last night.

Guest speaker, Sir John Key, was very entertaining and shared some interesting financial and business insights.

We're sure the highlight of his night was meeting our Founder and CEO, Sarah Dann-Hoare, and hearing all about Project Employ!
Our trainees look forward to welcoming you into Flourish Cafe, Sir John ☕

22/10/2025

Save the date for the charity event of the year!
Project Employ's 2026 Dinner & Auction Fundraiser is on Saturday, March 21st at Hilton Auckland, New Zealand

Join us for an inspiring evening dedicated to raising funds and awareness of our Employment Programme. Prepare to be moved by stories of transformation and empowerment, as we come together for this life-changing cause.

Together we can make a difference, and ensure many more neurodiverse young adults receive the support they need to thrive.

Tickets available via our website from 9am, Wednesday 29th October.

21/10/2025

A HUGE Wednesday shout out of thanks to all those who donated towards our “Help! Our oven has died” post.

Thanks to your generosity we now have a beautiful , shiny new oven 👏👏

Southern Hospitality, we are very grateful for the charity discount and new oven stand. You are amazing!

Takapuna and Milford Rotary Trusts, thank you SO much for making up the shortfall. Your members do so much to support our trainees to become work ready, and it is very much appreciated.

To those individuals - Flourish Cafe customers, social followers, families of current and past trainees - THANK YOU 🙏 We were blown away by your speed and generosity folowing our call for help.

*Apologies to those who phoned us in a panic, worried Flourish Cafe/Project Employ was closing down 😱!

19/10/2025

We are fortunate to have some amazing ambassadors who are out in the community representing and promoting our charity’s mission. They volunteer their time helping raise awareness, supporting our fundraising events, and inspiring engagement.

Angela Bloomfield Shane Cortese Terence Harpur Claire Turnbull Emma Barratt and our Youth Ambassadors Emily, Ben, Damian and Shani play a key role in expanding Project Employ's reach and impact.

Today, we are very excited to welcome a new ambassador to the Project Employ team. So a huge thank you, in advance, to.... Kris Edwards.

Kris is an experienced media personality with almost 40 years in radio, announcing, programming and management, a winner of multiple NZ radio awards, and currently the Content Director of The Breeze NZ radio network.

Kris is also the host & founder of 2 podcast series 'The Cerebral Palsy Podcast' (Kris has CP himself), telling the stories from the NZ cerebral palsy community & 'The Para Podcast' conversations with our para-athletes.
He has also just been appointed on the board of the Cerebral Palsy Society Of New Zealand.

A proud advocate for the disabled community, Kris is very keen to work alongside Project Employ to make a difference.