Great Glen Canoe trail for the Burnt Chef Project

We are travelling the Great Glen Canoe Trail in September in aid of the Burnt Chef Project!

“Mental Health is an important topic for the hospitality industry. The Burnt Chef Project raises money to provide training and resources for people in the industry across the world and we’re glad to be a part of it.” - Paul Ainsworth, Chef.

Taking care of our mental health has become a huge priority, and for good reason, so many of us suffer from mental health issues. 1 in 4 adults are reported to experience a mental health problem in a given year. However, a lot of people are disproportionately affected by mental health issues because of their work, namely the hospitality industry.

Hospitality work can be extremely taxing; long and unsociable hours, stressful and uncomfortable environments, and relentless expectations to name a few factors that makes the hospitality sector one of the most demanding on workers.

Reports show that 4 out of 5 hospitality professionals have experienced mental health issues as a result of their work, and a further 46% feel uncomfortable talking about their concerns to others. Additionally, 62% of staff do not believe the hospitality sector takes care of its employees.

“We’re in support of this free and vital support service.” - Tom Kerridge, Chef.

That’s where The Burnt Chef Project comes in. The Burnt Chef Project is a non-profit that works to provide mental health support to hospitality professionals. The project launched in 2019 and has since worked hard to provide first-hand support to individuals in the industry. The best example of this is through their 24-hour, text-based support service, which has since facilitated 1544 conversations through this free service.

On top of their first-hand work, The Burnt Chef Academy launched in March 2021, providing mental health and management training. Over 7800 mental health and wellbeing modules have been completed via the Academy, with 4596 hours of training provided both virtually and in person. This training has expanded since its conception to include modules on bullying, effective communication, and drugs & alcohol to name a few. This training has so far reached over 23 colleges and 900 students, as well as over 500 managers in face-to-face training to challenge mental health stigma and culture change.

The Burnt Chef Project also produces a podcast, The Burnt Chef Journal, which invites guests to talk about their relationship with mental health issues in hospitality and challenge perceptions of mental health through inspirational stories. Previous guests include Nathan Outlaw, Paul Ainsworth, Trevor Bird, Roberta Hall, DJ BBQ, Aktar Islam and with 50,000 downloads has reached many through a convenient format.

“You gave me the tools and confidence to help a member of my team with their mental health today, that was invaluable.” - MHFA training attendee.

Importantly for donors, where does your money go? Well, firstly, it goes towards continuing the incredible work the project provides to both those suffering with mental health issues in the workplace but also providing key preventative measures through education to both those prospective individuals who want to enter the industry but to those in management.

But the project also has ambitions to grow and provide additional support. They are committed to providing additional training to 25 colleges, continuing to support the next generation of hospitality workers. Additionally providing MHFA training to lecturers to deliver important mental health information and support.

Finally, the project understands above all the importance of providing support to those currently suffering in hospitality. Focusing on developing unique and innovative ways in which they can serve hospitality professionals with their mental health through collaboration and services.

I hope you can donate, but if you can’t sharing this page alone can help! And if nothing else, do your best to maintain your own mental health, and help those in need.

Thanks for reading, Tom.

Bibliography:

Hall, K. 2021, Burning Away Stigma: Annual Review 2021, The Burnt Chef Project.