Burnt Chef Project Doubles Mental Health Training in Hospitality Sector
Posted by Emma on 10th Oct 2024
The Burnt Chef Project, a leading mental health charity dedicated to the hospitality sector, has announced significant growth in its outreach efforts, as more than 24,000 e-learning modules were completed by hospitality workers in the past year. This figure represents more than double the participation from the previous year, reflecting a growing demand for accessible mental health education within the industry.
These free e-learning modules are designed to help hospitality professionals manage stress, prevent burnout, and support one another in what is often a high-pressure work environment. The Burnt Chef Project’s latest social impact report for 2023-2024 highlights this surge in participation, illustrating the increasing relevance and importance of mental health support in the hospitality sector.
Key Growth in 2023:
The charity has expanded its mental health awareness efforts significantly, including:
Mental Health Training in Colleges: 55 colleges participated in the Burnt Chef Project’s mental health awareness training, reaching over 2,045 students across multiple countries. This figure nearly doubles the numbers from previous years, underscoring the programme’s global reach.
24/7 Text Support Service: The charity’s round-the-clock text support service saw a sharp increase in usage, with over 3,000 individuals accessing it in 2023, compared to just over 1,000 in previous years. This service remains a critical lifeline for hospitality workers seeking immediate mental health assistance.
Peer Support Ambassadors: More than 250 individuals have now been trained as peer support ambassadors, advocating for mental health awareness and support within their workplaces and communities. These ambassadors play an essential role in promoting mental well-being in an industry that has long struggled with mental health challenges.
Workshops and Coaching Sessions: The Burnt Chef Project’s coaching and training sessions reached over 1,000 participants, marking a significant increase. These sessions equip hospitality professionals with practical tools to foster healthier and more supportive work environments.
Kris Hall, the founder and CEO of the Burnt Chef Project, expressed pride in the organisation’s impact, stating, “The Burnt Chef Project team, including our global ambassadors, fundraising partners, staff, contractors, and all those who continue to support the work we do throughout the hospitality industry, are making a substantial difference to those who need it most – and that’s something I’m exceptionally proud of.”
The charity has ambitious goals for the next two years, including delivering 10,000 free support and therapy sessions, expanding its e-learning efforts to reach 100,000 completed modules, and continuing to grow its ambassador network. The Burnt Chef Project also aims to maintain engagement rates of over 7% across its support systems.
As the hospitality industry grapples with mental health challenges, the Burnt Chef Project’s expanding initiatives offer vital support and education, helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and fostering a more compassionate, resilient workforce.