The Springboard Awards for Excellence returned to London this year to celebrate the very best in hospitality, and The CRUMBS Project was there to make Dorset proud with wins in two categories.

Trainees David and Dennis with the Springboard Award

The Bournemouth charity triumphed in both the ‘Diversity, Equality and Inclusion’ and ‘Disability Confidence’ categories at the East Wintergarden event in Canary Wharf last week.

Crumbs provides professional hospitality and catering training and tailored support to around 30 people each year.

The team helps adults with disabilities or mental health issues gain independence and develop skills for employment in the industry, with nine in ten graduate trainees moving into work with local hospitality employers.

People with disabilities make up more than 50 per cent of the staff team at Crumbs, most of them originally trained through the programme.

The charity is also working actively with organisations like Baxterstorey and Rick Stein Restaurants to promote inclusion and encourage their own disability confidence journeys.

Chair Peter Jones (back) with Head of Centre Ursula Boardman and Trainee Richard Newman

Professor Peter A. Jones, Chair of The CRUMBS Project, said: “Crumbs strives to both create and promote working environments within the Hospitality industry where every person can feel safe and be themselves.

“Crumbs’ trainees are not only encouraged to learn professional skills but also to speak up about the things that matter to them and develop their own voices for life and work.”

Heads of Sodexo and CH&Co, who sponsored the categories in which Crumbs earned recognition, also voiced their support for the team and the work they do.

Bill Toner, CEO of CH&Co, added: “Huge congratulations to The CRUMBS Project for winning the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Award.

“The Hospitality industry is incredibly diverse and offers opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities, creating supportive, inquisitive environments that are always open to learning and change.

“The CRUMBS Project is a fine example of this, providing training and life skills for adults with a range of disabilities, helping them to establish rewarding careers within Hospitality. A most deserved winner.”