Jordan Harrison
Shortlisted for the Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year Award at the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023
Jordan had been doing a supported internship with Mencap, which was coming to an end due to his age. Jordan was passionate about becoming a barista and as a result, was referred to Springboard for supporting him with the first steps to finding his first paid job.
Finding a job for Jordan hasn’t always been the easiest as he has a mild learning disability and autism.
In his search for work, he had completed two work experience weeks within theatres and had just started a trainee role at the Royal Opera House when COVID hit, meaning he could no longer continue in this role. Jordan had been doing some volunteering work since March 2022, but he really wanted to start a working career.
By doing the programme, Jordan was able to step outside his comfort zone. He very quickly made new friends, he very much was at the heart of the group and was incredibly well respected and liked by his peers.
We were able to get to know the real Jordan. Jordan is a real gentleman, funny, kind, intelligent, with a passion for learning languages – eight to be exact!
Springboard’s Sharon said “I feel very privileged to have been part of Jordan’s journey. To watch him grow in confidence, to see him blossom into this amazing young man who has so much to offer to any potential employer, and for him to realise just how much he has to offer himself. I remember how he was incredibly nervous and worried he was before our mock interview afternoon, but once he had done one interview, he volunteered to do more, as he realised he could do it and had so much to offer.”
Jordan was offered an interview at Chelsea Football Club. On the day of his interview, he felt confident – gone was the shy, reserved Jordan, instead we had a man ready to take on the world!
The interviewer was really impressed with Jordan and he was offered a position at Chelsea Football Club, through Constellation.
Even after finding work, Jordan would love to learn more skills and really develop his career within the industry. His passion for coffee drove him to begin his exciting and bright career in the hospitality industry.
Jacqueline Haney
Scott Heeps
Scott had previously worked as a Kitchen Porter and in numerous food processing roles but had been out of work for around a year when he joined took part in a Springboard programme in 2022.
With his hard work and perseverance, he completed every aspect of the course to a high standard, never giving up when things seemed tough. The course has given him confidence and the knowledge that he can achieve great things.
During his work placement, he had his eyes opened to the amazing opportunities that lie within the hospitality industry.
At the end of his course, he had the confidence to speak to an audience, something he would never have believed he could do. He brought a tear to many eyes with his enthusiasm and genuine gratitude for everything.
Scott said, “The course was the best experience of my life, I am so grateful for Springboard’s support and help.” He is now working as a Liner Porter with Premier Inn in Glasgow and is loving the job. He is keen to progress, and he is working hard to make an impression with the company.
Springboard’s Isabel said, “It has been a pleasure to see Scott grow in confidence and enthusiasm.”
Scott loved taking part in the programme so much, that he recommended it to his daughter, who has now signed up for a Springboard programme in Glasgow!
Toby Markham
Winner of the Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year Award at the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023
“Before I joined the Springboard programme, I was receiving help from another charity who specialises in helping people with learning difficulties. It was not easy for me to find work as I have cerebral palsy and no work experience.
I was then made aware of Springboard and had an interest in exploring jobs in hospitality, so I signed up for Springboard’s Galvin’s Chance programme.
I really enjoyed the programme, learning about hospitality and going on visits to amazing hotels and restaurants. At the end of the programme I did a work experience which I really liked and then Springboard began helping me to find work.
In September of this year, with the help of Springboard, I secured my first ever paid job, working in the Cavalry and Guards Club as a Linen Porter.”
Toby has now secured a role at Compass Group in HSBC as a Catering Assistant!
Alexander Harris
I always wanted more, so evolving from a pub all the way through to events around the world is a major part within my career and I am forever grateful for every part of the journey that I have had. When I stepped up and became a supervisor in Atik nightclub in Romford, Essex, I wanted to pursue and push my career even further.
That’s where Springboard came in. Springboard gave me the connections and the tools within hospitality to push my career to the next level and I can safely say, without Springboard there would be no elevation within my career. The hospitality industry is slowly dying down and becoming a smaller industry day by day. We are losing chefs, bartenders, waiters and waitresses, this is where Springboard come in. They show you that this is a sector of fun, enjoyment, and fulfilment. This industry is whatever you want it to be. It can be a one stop shop for people, but the hidden side is that it’s so much more! You could grow to be a bartender, manager then go down the management route if you wanted to or you can go around the world, being a bartender and doing events.
The course itself is fun and enjoyable and nothing like anyone else has ever known. It’s not like a college course where everything is so formal and other aspects that seem rather restricted, it’s a course where you can be yourself and express who you are whilst you learn the art of making drinks. This course is perfect for anyone! Anyone within the industry that wants to expand their knowledge or even people who have never bartended.
In hospitality we need people to join the party and get involved. Let me show you what it’s like to be a bartender and forget all the stigma that comes with the negative mindset of what people say. Let Springboard show you the way and how positive it actually is. We need you today! Take the course, you never know where you will end up.
Hang Nguyen
I joined the programme to help me gain confidence, to learn new skills and meet new people. I really enjoyed learning about the different roles in hospitality and loved visiting so many different venues, I didn’t even know existed.
I have definitely gained more confidence in myself and I’m very proud to be able to step out of my comfort zone to achieve new things. Since visiting the Titanic visitor attraction in Belfast, with Springboard, I have decided to apply for the role of Visitor Experience Crew.
Irini Saha
At the end of the course, I managed to get an excellent job as a food and beverage assistant at the Hilton London Canary Wharf. I love my new role, the team are very friendly and helpful and the atmosphere is welcoming. My favourite thing I’ve done is definitely room service. I have already recommended a career in hospitality to a lot of my friends. One very close friend took my advice, applied to Hilton and got the same job! I can’t wait to see how I progress.
Nizor Lok Noshock
I absolutely love it because everyone is open, friendly, helpful and patient including the managers. I feel so at home here, and one of my colleagues speaks my language. Along with this, I’m learning and progressing every day and I think my life can only get better now that I found a job I love.
Devonte Tulloch
That course was the best thing that ever happened to me. I got a job as a dishwasher, then I worked in the kitchens and prepared lunches for the players at Wimbledon. Now I have a new job working between the bar, the kitchen and front of house at the O2 Arena. My manager told me my customer service has improved a lot and that I’m an enthusiastic, hard worker. I am excited to be working here at such an iconic venue. I’ve got my mojo back. I am one billion per cent more confident than I was before I found Springboard.