Trainees William and Dennis recently visited the capital to attend separate events, at the Palace of Westminster and the Galvin at Windows restaurant in Mayfair, to acknowledge their efforts in overcoming obstacles and developing their skills for independent living.
William was accompanied by The CRUMBS Project’s Digital Skills Trainer, Janet Miller, to an event at the Palace of Westminster hosted by Jim Knight, Lord Knight of Weymouth and Helen Milner, Chief Executive of Good Things Foundation. The event was a celebration of the work of the Good Things Foundation and its grantees, including The CRUMBS Project, in fixing the digital divide.
The CRUMBS Project is a recipient of a grant through the Power Up 2.0 initiative by the Good Things Foundation with financial backing from JP Morgan Chase. William and Janet were invited to the event in recognition of The CRUMBS Project’s work in developing a new digital skills training programme specifically designed to help adults with learning disabilities.
The Digital PATHS programme enables disadvantaged adults to develop their digital literacy and gain the skills they will need for future employment in the Hospitality & Catering industry and interacting in the modern world.
At the event Lord Weymouth said: “The possibilities of tech, the empowerment, are only a reality if we have equity. We have to continue the fight to ensure everyone has equitable access to digital”.
Trainee Dennis and Ursula Boardman, Head of Centre at The CRUMBS Project, were invited to attend a separate function at the Galvin at Windows restaurant in London’s Mayfair. Dennis won a recent competition through the Kitchen Porters Club, to receive lunch and career advice from acclaimed Hospitality & Catering industry professionals.
The Kitchen Porter’s Club is run by Hospitality & Catering News and sponsored by Meiko UK. The initiative recognises the role Kitchen Porters play within the Hospitality & Catering industry in maintaining professional standards and ensuring every item at a diner’s table is presented immaculately.
Dennis met Peter Avis FIH, General Manager of Galvin at Windows and Paul Anderson FIH, Managing Director of global technology and service company Meiko UK. Over lunch prepared by Galvin at Windows Head Chef, Marc Hardiman, Dennis received mentoring and encouragement from Peter and Paul.
In recognition of his achievements in overcoming adversity, Dennis was presented with affiliate membership of the Institute of Hospitality by Peter Avis. As a competition winner, Dennis also received the official Kitchen Porter’s Club apron and presentation pack from Paul Anderson.
For Dennis, receiving these awards and being amongst Hospitality & Catering industry professionals in London was inspirational. “This was the first time I’ve been to London and having lunch at Galvin at Windows was an amazing experience for me. I got to see so much of what goes on to run a top restaurant and it’s helped me to understand what Kitchen Porters really do as part of this”.
The CRUMBS Project is actively working with other organisations to promote and sustain more inclusive workforces and find opportunities for its trainees to work. On the 6th of September 2023, the charity is hosting a Hospitality & Catering industry event at the Mercure Queens Hotel in Bournemouth entitled ‘Becoming Disability Confident and Creating an Inclusive Workforce’. The aim of this event is to inspire members of Dorset’s Hospitality & Catering sector to attract, employ, and retain people with disabilities.
Places at this free event are limited and available to book via www.eventbrite.co.uk or via email: info@crumbs.org.uk
Good Things Foundation – Improving lives through digital
Galvin at Windows | Fine Dining Restaurant in London, UK
Hospitality & Catering News – hospitality and catering news
The Institute of Hospitality is the global professional body for hospitality
