A helping hand
Luke Cotterell
Principal Talent Advocate @ Cyberr - Redefining the future of cybersecurity hiring
What times we live in! No-one could had predicted the strain and difficulties that this virus has put on hospitality in this country and yet, through all the stress, business closures and general worry, there have been great moments of compassion, support and togetherness that are amazing to see.
Whether you see this article as a change from the usual doom and gloom or as an example for your own business or daily life, please, make a cuppa, take a seat and check out just a couple of the good bits of the past three months!
‘Invisible chips’
Monday rarely brings joy but on the 13th of July Hospitality Action announced a new initiative as part of their fantastic work supporting businesses through hard times. Who doesn’t love chips? Right?! In a bid to raise money, Invisible Chips is a way of diners donating to the cause whilst not going through the hassle of usual donation methods. Just simply add them to your bill! With some big names behind the action like Heston Blumenthal and Fred Sirieix it was surely onto a winner. Great idea now available in venues likes Gaucho, Hawksmoor, Off To Work, Fog, Brewdog and many more. Thank you to these and Hospitality Action for their initiative! Links to become a donator or to donate are below.
https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/donate/
‘Career Scope’
Another Monday, more good news! Starting today Career Scope has launched to provide free support advice for people struggling to find work in the hospitality industry. They will offer CV writing workshops, redundancy advice, financial support, career webinars and workshops and general wellbeing advice. Who is behind this brilliant idea? Hospitality Action, Institute of Hospitality, Savoy Educational Trust, Springboard, UK Hospitality along with Raymond Blanc, Clare Smyth, Michel Roux Jr and Wendy Bartlett to name a few. Not only will this help our budding, young apprentices in the industry but will also help to safeguard the business that need these brilliant people now and in the future.
‘Finally, a quick word about Hospitality as a whole’
Always the first in and the last out. As one scans the daily news, one thing is apparent, Covid has affected all of us but perhaps none more so that Hospitality. Businesses closing, people losing jobs, investment slowing and yet what do we see? Support; outspoken and immediate. Do you see Retail create initiatives like the ones I have mentioned above? No. Ask yourself, which other sectors do you see people going out of their way to help and support others? Not many for sure. When I see these pieces of good news during such dark times, I feel a warmth and pride that I am part of this amazing industry. Everyone genuinely wants to see others succeed! Long may this last!