Sarah, aged 25, is employed three days a week at one of central London's most prestigious hotels. She is a trained barrista, preparing and serving a complete range of drinks.
She works between the kitchen and brasserie using the food service skills she gained while training at Foxes Hotel and Academy. Sarah has hospitality, English, Maths and employability qualifications.
She describes her job at Thistles in Kensington in a way many of us could only aspire to, using the words any employer would love to hear:
"This is my dream job. It's the best thing that ever happened to me."
Sarah also has Down's Syndrome. But far from holding her back in the workplace, Sarah is able to develop her skills and talents thanks to her supportive employer.
This is good for society, for the economy and most importantly of all, good for Sarah.
Her manager, Richard, says: "Sarah is a great asset to the business, her enthusiasm to engage with customers and colleagues is admirable.
She is confident, professional and has a positive outlook that is infectious. Sarah is now an important part of our successful team and a joy to work with."
Sarah trained at Foxes Academy, a specialist catering and training hotel for young people with learning disabilities based in Minehead.
It’s also a Disability Confident organisation, which means that it’s supporting disabled people in the workforce, and encouraging other companies to do the same.
Ben Graham MBE, Work Experience and Transition Manager at Foxes Academy, said: "Sarah enjoys every part of her job and has a very positive attitude towards the Thistle's customers.
Indeed many guests have commented on how they prefer to stay at an inclusive hotel. Work experience combined with her hospitality, functional skills and employability qualifications ensure she is a valued member of the hotel team."
Opening up your workforce to disabled people is a great opportunity and offers valuable insights, ensuring that your employees are reflective of your customer base.
If your staff are better able to think in the mind of your customers and anticipate their needs, you’re already one step ahead.
Almost 4000 employers have so far signed up to be Disability Confident. To find out more about what diversifying your workforce could do for your business, sign up to the scheme today and start your journey to be an inclusive employer.
