The Burnt Chef Project, whose ‘Managers Introduction to Mental Health Awareness‘ training programme is endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality, is calling on the hospitality industry to come together and help protect access to free, confidential mental health support through its new Hold The Line fundraising campaign. The campaign brings together hospitality businesses, professionals, suppliers and the wider public, with an initial fundraising target of £200,000 to help sustain The Burnt Chef Project’s mental health support service for the first 12 months.
Available 24 hours a day, the service provides hospitality professionals with access to therapy and counselling, mental health coaching, immediate emotional support and signposting, multilingual assistance and practical wellbeing guidance. Importantly, there is no waiting list, referral or cost for the person seeking help.
The Burnt Chef Project has already supported more than 9,500 people, with its work reaching individuals across 184 countries. The organisation says that protecting access to support must remain a shared priority for the hospitality industry, with four in five hospitality professionals reporting that they have experienced at least one mental health issue during their career.
Kris Hall, Founder of The Burnt Chef Project, said:
“For years, we have encouraged people across hospitality to speak up and ask for help. Now we need to make sure the support is there when they do.
“As an industry, we cannot keep saying that people are our greatest asset without helping to protect the services they rely on when things become too much.”
Through Hold The Line, individuals can make a regular donation from £3 a month or make a one-off contribution. The campaign states that a donation of £140 can help one person access six therapy sessions.
Businesses can also become annual Hold The Line Partners, with pledges available at £250, £500, £1,000 or £2,500 per year, alongside larger partnership and global collaboration opportunities.
Maidaid Halcyon has joined the campaign as its Headline Partner, making a significant commitment to the initiative and supporting efforts to encourage further participation from across the hospitality supply chain.
Jag Thandi, CCO at Maidaid, said:
“We supply businesses that depend every day on the skill, resilience and commitment of hospitality teams. Supporting their mental health should be part of how our industry looks after its people.”
Other organisations already supporting the campaign include Talent Hive, Butcombe Brewing Co and the Culinary Association of Wales.
While Hold The Line has been created specifically for hospitality, the campaign is open to everyone. Customers, communities, partners and organisations outside the industry can also contribute towards protecting the people who welcome, serve and create experiences for others every day.
The Institute of Hospitality recognises the importance of initiatives that help support the wellbeing of hospitality professionals and encourages members and hospitality businesses to consider how they can contribute to a culture where seeking support is encouraged and accessible.
Whether through a regular individual donation, a business partnership or helping to raise awareness of the campaign, hospitality professionals and organisations can play a part in helping to keep this support available.
Find out more, donate or become a Hold The Line Partner. Visit The Burnt Chef Project – Hold The Line
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