{"id":6452,"date":"2025-06-17T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.burn-the-priest.com\/?p=6452"},"modified":"2025-06-17T11:34:29","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T11:34:29","slug":"i-have-downs-syndrome-and-struggle-to-find-work-this-london-hotel-changed-that","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.burn-the-priest.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/17\/i-have-downs-syndrome-and-struggle-to-find-work-this-london-hotel-changed-that\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018I have Down\u2019s Syndrome and struggle to find work \u2013 this London hotel changed that\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hilton has worked with the college Aurora Foxes for years (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hilton Hotel has launched a pop-up tearoom where customers at the five-star Waldorf Hotel will be served by staff who have learning disabilities<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The special event was hosted as part of Learning Disability Week, with special educational needs and disabled (SEND) staff at the historic hotel.<\/p>\n

Yesterday, guests were served a menu of freshly cut sandwiches and warm scones by servers, including Sam Innes, who has Down Syndrome.<\/p>\n

Sam told Metro<\/strong>: ‘Finding work was really difficult for me, so when I started my role at Hilton, it was such a relief. I\u2019ve always wanted to work and be around people, and I knew a hotel would be the perfect place to do that. <\/p>\n

‘Having a job helps people with learning disabilities feel valued and shows others what we can achieve when given the chance. <\/p>\n

‘It\u2019s boosted my confidence and helped me become more independent. Now, I want to be a role model and inspire others to believe that they can do it too.’<\/p>\n

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The luxury hotel chain found that seven in 10 Britons don’t feel companies do enough to hire people with learning disabilities (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The lunch marked the 10th anniversary of the partnership between Hilton and Aurora Foxes (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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One waiter who has Down’s Syndrome said they have struggled to find work (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After studying business and retail at college, Camden-born Sam found a love for hospitality.<\/p>\n

He joined the hotel with the support of the Down\u2019s Syndrome Association Workfit programme, where his skill set and aspirations were matched.<\/p>\n

Having worked one day a week, Sam, who lives in Chalk Farm, now has a permanent food and beverage assistant role following outstanding feedback from guests and colleagues.<\/p>\n

The hotel chain wants to demonstrate support for members of the SEN community and highlight a representation gap within the industry.<\/p>\n

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