We’re all hoping to be able to have as close to ‘normal’ a Christmas as possible, to enjoy the public holiday, visit friends and family, eat, drink and be merry! 

Most people would usually be going to at least one big party or get together in one of the amazing pubs and restaurants in the UK, but with hospitality amongst the very hardest hit industries by coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns this year, it’s been impossible for us to celebrate in this way. 

Unfortunately, this has also meant that many of our hospitality staff have found themselves out of work. Springboard are working to deliver hope to these people, not just for Christmas, but for years to come. We are supporting our people and businesses through skills training, professional development, employability training, careers advice, confidence building, temporary redeployment and dedicated aftercare – futureproofing the talent pipeline for hospitality.

You can help us in our mission! Here are 12 easy ways that you can support Springboard and hospitality this festive season (and beyond)…

1. Springboard’s Virtual Christmas Carols

Get in the festive spirit with us on Monday 14th December as we digitally transport you to St Cyprians Clarence Gate Church in London for a very special live-streamed service, carol singing and readings from celebrity guests, including Raymond Blanc, Monica Galetti, Thomas Frake and Ruth Hansom!

Tickets are just £25 and include a festive treats box, delivered to your door. Book your ticket now!

2. Christmas Raffle

We have some absolutely fantastic prizes to win from luxury hampers to 5 star overnight stays in exquisite UK hotels! Our Christmas raffle is now open for entries all the way through December and winners will be pulled out of a ‘hat’ in the new year by a celebrity!  Read about the prizes and buy your tickets, here

3. Christmas Card Amnesty

This year, we want to invite everybody to forgo Christmas cards in favour of making a donation to Springboard. Not only will you save time by avoiding the hassle of buying, writing and posting Christmas cards, you’ll also be making a more environmentally conscious decision, whilst helping somebody to achieve their potential. Make your Christmas card amnesty donation

4. Amazon Smile

One of the easiest ways for you to contribute to The Springboard Charity this Christmas, without having to spend any extra pennies is simply by selecting us as your charity whilst doing your online Christmas Shopping on Amazon. Visit https://smile.amazon.co.uk, sign in and select The Springboard Charity as your default charity. 0.5% of your eligible purchases will be donated to us!

5. Easy Fundraising

Easyfundraising turns your everyday, online shopping into free donations. Register at www.easyfundraising.org.uk, choose The Springboard Charity as your charity and then start shopping at one of the 4,418 retailers, who will then make a small donation to us at no additional cost to you! 

6. Text to Donate

We introduced the quickest and easiest way to donate to Springboard yet this year! All you need is a mobile phone. Text SBXMAS 10 to 70085 to donate £10 to Springboard (texts cost £10 + the cost of sending one standard message) 

7. Be a Sponsor

Springboard organise many unique and entertaining fundraising events throughout the year. Some of these have migrated to virtual and online events, but they are still as popular as ever! Our renowned annual Awards for Excellence has moved to a virtual platform and will take place in Mach 2021. We’re celebrating the businesses and individuals who have gone above and beyond in 2020 – achieved something extraordinary to support their communities, colleagues and staff. To sponsor a category at next year’s Springboard Virtual Awards, get in touch with AgnieszkaF@springboarduk.org.uk

8. Charitable Travel

Looking forward to doing some travelling and having a holiday next year? We all are! Charitable Travel are a registered social enterprise and a financially protected travel agency. They will help you with your holiday plans. When you book a holiday or cruise with Charitable Travel, they sacrifice travel agency commission, so you can make a free five percent donation to Springboard! Start making your travel plans now

9. Take on a personal new year challenge 

Whether you’re embarking on a sporting feat, cutting out something unhealthy or organising an event, we would love it if you adopted Springboard as your charity to support. Let us know what you are up to and tag us in on social media so that we can cheer you on.
Why not take part in next year’s Virtual Race to Nicaragua – look out for more information in the new year!

10. Volunteer

Use your skills, experience and time for rewarding work with Springboard as mentor, to support jobseekers with interview practice and advice sessions, to inspire young minds and discuss your own career journey.

Register your interest in volunteering here Register your interest in volunteering here

11. Refer people who need our help

If you know of anybody who has lost their job in hospitality or is currently struggling to get work, whether they are long term employed, have recently been made redundant due to covid-19 or are have left education and are looking for their first job, please put them in touch with us! A great starting point is with our Digital Hospitality Academy

12. Share the love

Talk about the great work that we do at Springboard with the world! With your friends and families, colleagues and work connections. Learn more and reach out about the Springboardto2022 Project and look into the support provided on CareerScope Why not follow us and share our posts on social media?