Dear Industry Colleagues,
I am fully aware that we are constantly bombarded with legislation, ideas and suggestions, with requests for donations, gifts or vouchers and other demands on our time and so on and so forth. Yet we constantly remain the most inclusive, most people orientated, most driven, creative and challenging industry.
Sadly few know how much this industry really does; feeding hundreds of thousands of people each year who support thousands of good causes at events dotted across our annual calendars. Few realise how much time, energy, expertise, money, knowledge and skills we impart to keep these charities and initiatives going – but we can always do more and also help ourselves in more ways than one at the same time!
I would like to introduce you to Foxes Academy, a hospitality and training hotel for young people with learning disabilities. Check out the Foxes Hotel reviews on Trip Advisor.
It needs the wider support of our industry and help from us as individuals by giving opportunities to the students. These are great people who have nationally recognised hospitality qualifications and skills. Foxes work in partnership with Hilton Worldwide and The Castle Hotel, Taunton has shown that inclusive employment leads to increased staff morale, with a better team ethic. Many of us in our own organisations have experienced working with people from similar backgrounds within our local community.
May I please urge all readers who open this letter to do some research and find out more from Foxes Academy. In 2016 86% of Foxes’ graduates went on to be employed in the hospitality industry compared to a national average of 6% for people with learning disabilities.
A very dear friend of mine and a great person within our industry, Chef Philip Corrick of the Royal Automobile Club has a son who is training at Foxes. Philip knows how difficult it is to make employers understand what this means, or, how enriching the experience can be to your colleagues when they suddenly have to treat another human just a little bit differently. It prepares us for the great life that lies ahead for us all.
So friends please see what you can do to help the Academy out and spread the good word around. If you can, please help someone live a full, fruitful and involved life by offering a work experience placement or job opportunity. If you want to find out more please contact bengraham@foxesacademy.ac.uk or call 01643 708529 ext 264.
Thank-you from all the students!
Cyrus Todiwala OBE