Hospitality Action has also been confirmed as the Chair-nominated charity for this year’s ceda Conference. Behind the smiles and slick service, hospitality workers can fall upon hard times just like anybody else. Ours is a stressful industry, with long hours, high pressure environments and physically demanding work.
Injuries, mental health problems and addiction are sadly a feature of modern life in the hospitality trade. That’s where Hospitality Action steps in. They work to provide hospitality workers with financial, physical and psychological support to help them overcome adversity and get back to work as quickly as possible. They help individuals and their families stay afloat with grants to cover anything from rent payments to school uniform for their children. And for those who sadly can’t return to the industry they love, they provide ongoing support to transition them to the next stage of their lives.
For older people who have retired from the industry they provide grants to help with heating bills, home conversions or even funeral costs for loved ones. Just as importantly, they provide a lifeline to prevent loneliness and isolation and their ‘Golden Friends’ enjoy regular contact and local events to help them stay active and connected to their community.
ceda’s in-coming Chair, Derek Maher, explains the decision behind choosing Hospitality Action as this year’s nominated charity, “I’m very enthusiastic about supporting Hospitality Action this year as they are perfectly aligned with the ethics of ceda. Additionally, I have also started training for the “Le Tour de Cuisine” on 10th June which is a 100-mile cycle ride in the Cotswolds organised by Hospitality Action.”
To find out more about the work of Hospitality Action and the difference they make visit www.hospitalityaction.org.uk
The annual two-day event this year takes place at Heythrop Park Oxfordshire on 4th and 5th April. The first day is for ceda and Cedabond Members only and includes both the ceda and Cedabond AGM, as well as the ceda Academy Meeting and ceda Platinum Partner Presentations. The second day is the Business Day and is open to anyone within the catering equipment industry. The Business Day speaker programme will be made up of leading and influential figures from a wide range of sectors, all with a connection back to professional catering industry.
The ceda Grand Prix Awards 2019 also takes place during conference and the shortlist and sponsors for 2019 have been announced.
