Bournemouth-based disability training charity The CRUMBS Project (Crumbs), was recognised at the Springboard Awards for Excellence
2023, winning in both the ‘Diversity, Equality and Inclusion’, and the ‘Disability Confidence’ categories.
Held this year at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, the Springboard Awards for Excellence’s mission is to promote the Hospitality industry, reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty.
Crumbs provides professional hospitality and catering training and tailored support to around 30 people a year. The charity helps adults with disabilities or mental health issues to become more independent and develop skills for employment within the industry. Over 90% of Crumbs’ trainees move into work with local Hospitality employers in Dorset at the end of their training programmes.
As a diversity, equality, and inclusion role model, Crumbs gained Disability Confident Leader status at the beginning of 2023. The charity’s approach to bespoke, practical professional learning and supporting the trainee’s individual needs, is one of the reasons behind the increasing recognition of the value of the Crumbs approach in creating opportunity and inclusion.
Understanding and promoting the value people with disabilities bring to an organisation, the charity’s own staff team includes over 50% of people with disabilities, most of whom have The CRUMBS Project April 2023 trained at Crumbs. The charity is also actively working with Hospitality organisations, including Baxterstorey and Rick Stein Restaurants, to promote inclusion and encourage their own disability confidence journeys.
Professor Peter A. Jones, Chair of The CRUMBS Project said: “Crumbs strive to both create and promote working environments within the Hospitality industry where every person can feel safe and be themselves. Crumbs’ trainees are not only encouraged to learn professional skills but also to speak up about the things that matter to them and develop their own voices for life and work.”
Support for the charity’s work and promotion of inclusion within the wider Hospitality industry and society also came from Sodexo, sponsors of the Disability Confidence Award. Raj Jones, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Sodexo UK & Ireland said:
“Sodexo is thrilled to sponsor the Disability Confidence Award and extend our warmest congratulations to The CRUMBS Project for their well-deserved win and valuable contribution to the Hospitality sector. Inclusivity is key to our values and as a Disability Confident Leader, we are delighted to support other organisations in their commitment to the recruitment, engagement, and development of people with disabilities.”
This support extended to CH&Co, sponsors of the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion category of the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023. Bill Toner; CEO of CH&Co said: Huge congratulations to The CRUMBS Project for winning the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Award. The Hospitality industry is incredibly diverse and offers opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities, creating supportive, inquisitive environments that are always open to learning and change. The CRUMBS Project is a fine example of this, providing training and life skills for adults with a range of disabilities, helping them to establish rewarding careers within Hospitality. A most deserved winner.”
