With nearly half of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) reporting a disability, the flagship initiative Rise & Serve is responding to a significant national gap by offering an inclusive, strengths-based programme that delivers real experience and real impact.
Rise & Serve, led by the Hospitality Junior Board alongside The Grand, York and regional partners, is an eight-week, co-designed hospitality programme aligned with the UK Government’s Trailblazer scheme.
What is Rise & Serve?
Rise & Serve invites 16 young people, including those facing disadvantage or hidden barriers, to co-create and run a fully functioning pop-up restaurant.
Over eight weeks, participants will design the menu, develop and implement a marketing strategy, learn essential kitchen and front-of-house skills, and ultimately host a live ticketed dining event for more than 50 guests, raising funds for charity.
Keeping in mind that 1 in 10 NEET individuals are autistic, the programme is intentionally inclusive and neurodiversity-aware, offering:
- Flexibility for sensory needs, anxiety, and executive functioning challenges.
- Strengths-based role choice (kitchen, front-of-house, marketing)
- Weekly coaching check-ins
- A buddy system for wellbeing and confidence
- Travel expense support
How does this programme support the UK Government’s Trailblazer goals?
Rise & Serve aligns with the UK Government’s Trailblazer scheme by ensuring young people play a leading role in local regeneration.
It strengthens the workforce by helping participants build the confidence, communication, and skills they need to take their next steps.
Its impact is demonstrated through strong, measurable outcomes, from an 80% retention target to increased confidence, better communication skills, and greater work-readiness.
Hospitality as a catalyst for change
The programme harnesses the inclusive spirit of hospitality to help young people grow in ways that extend far beyond the workplace. They discover what it means to be part of a team, develop resilience, and strengthen their emotional and social awareness.
Working alongside industry professionals gives participants valuable leadership experience and a clearer view of the opportunities the hospitality sector offers.
But above all, Rise & Serve provides a genuine sense of belonging.
A platform for long-term impact
Rise & Serve is designed not only to build skills in the moment, but to create lasting momentum for the young people who take part.
On completion of the programme, participants will be supported into employment, further training, mentoring, or additional skills development – ensuring the confidence they gain continues to translate into real opportunities.
Partners driving the programme
Rise & Serve is powered by a strong cross-sector collaboration that brings together expertise from across the region. The programme is delivered by:
- Hospitality Junior Board – Programme design, management, and mentoring
- The Grand, York – Host venue, kitchen support, logistics, and skills development
- Being Hospitality – Specialist workshop delivery
- Pink Spaghetti York – Administration and logistics
- Job Centre – Recruitment support
Better Connect are also delighted to be working in partnership with the Hospitality Junior Board. The Trailblazer Community Grants programme, delivered by Better Connect Limited, funds innovative projects such as Rise & Serve and plays a key role in enabling this work to happen.
Joe McKenzie, Relationship Manager at Better Connect, commented: “We are excited to partner with this innovative organisation who are supporting young, neurodivergent people build confidence and practical skills in the world of hospitality”.
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