Hospitality Action Bulletin: Social Sunday

Mark Lewis Chief executive, Hospitality Action

 

This month's HA bulletin ends a busy April. We've named Jason Atherton as our new Principal Patron and Tom Kerridge as a patron. The Lanesborough, Corbin & King, Strada and Drake & Morgan have joined our employee care scheme. And we've run two successful fundraising events, the Rugby Legends Dinner at Deer Park, Devon, and our Highclere Tour with lunch and tea at the Vineyard hotel, Berkshire. Thanks to everyone involved in these events.

 

Sunday service: transforming hospitality lives

 

This summer, HA is uniting the hospitality community on Social Sunday, 1 July, to raise funds for people who work or have worked in hospitality and find themselves in crisis.

 

Social Sunday is the brainchild of Jason Atherton. Since launching it in 2015, Jason, HA's Principal Patron, has raised over £100,000 for us.

 

This year, we're taking the concept nationwide, asking operators to support Social Sunday by taking part in the biggest lunch service ever.

 

Atherton explains: "Social Sunday is about looking after our own. We're asking operators to help any way they can. Every offer of support, no matter how small, helps build a wave of generosity towards people needing help. If the industry comes together, we can achieve something remarkable."

 

Chefs already supporting the event include Tom Kerridge, Tom Kitchin and Gary Usher.

 

We've created a range of fundraising ideas, meaning you can commit at whatever level suits you. Even if you can't open on Social Sunday, there are ways to get involved in the weeks around it.

 

Ways of getting involved
• Hosting a paid-for cookery demo, pre-service
• Inviting a celebrity to speak at an "audience with" lunch
• Holding an auction or raffle during the week of Social Sunday
• Inviting suppliers to gift produce and donate savings
• Applying a discretionary extra charge to bills for the week of Social Sunday
• Donating a percentage of profits from the day.

 

To join the Social Sunday movement, email astrid@hospitalityaction.org.uk.

 

Seminar: mental health awareness in hospitality

 

HA often receives requests to support people with stress and other mental health issues. On 17 May, in partnership with HR in Hospitality, we are hosting a free breakfast seminar at the Royal Lancaster London to help managers spot, understand and support mental health issues in their teams. The event falls during National Mental Health Awareness Week. To secure a place, email astrid@hospitalityaction.org.uk.