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��ҹ�糡 UK & Ireland’s Social Partner Hub has doubled its impact - in the last six months it has secured roles for more than 100 people who were previously struggling to gain employment. The Social Partner Hub has so far resulted in paid employment for 220 people, while over 1000 people have received help with job interview training and guidance.

Launched in 2023, the Social Partner Hub was developed to support those who have traditionally faced barriers to entering the job market, such as those who are long term unemployed or people with disabilities.

Working with partner organisations such as Ingeus, The Growth Company and Shaw Trust, the platform matches candidates with job opportunities and internships available at ��ҹ�糡. A recent success includes a partnership with the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, run by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which has recruited 12 local people within ��ҹ�糡’ sector, working in retail outlets on site. Whiston Hospital has also recruited 15 local people, working in roles such as Ward Hosts, Domestic Assistants and Porters.

The Social Partner Hub helps to provide assistance for people struggling to access work, ensuring that the hiring process is inclusive and caters to the needs of each applicant. This tailored approach means both candidates are supported through the process and training is given to hiring managers, so they are more aware of a candidate’s needs and potential. The Hub was launched as part of ��ҹ�糡 UK & Ireland’s focus around creating opportunities, through its Our Social Promise – a commitment to positively impact one million lives by 2030 through jobs, training, community engagement and development.

Sonia Murtagh, Social Partnerships Resourcing Lead at ��ҹ�糡 UK & Ireland said: “Hospitality is a barrierless industry with many opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background. We’re incredibly proud that we can offer support and the first rung on the career ladder to people who have been struggling to get into employment. As part of our Social Promise, we want to be a force for good and a real driver of social mobility in the UK, and it’s extremely heartening to see the success of the Hub.

“As well as helping people secure roles, we’re continuously learning about some of the real challenges faced by candidates in difficult circumstances. This is helping us to identify more suitable roles and better support people to ensure they can secure and stay at the job or work placement, which we hope will increase the long-term impact of the initiative.”

Emma Dalton, Learning Works Project Manager at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working with ��ҹ�糡 to support the recruitment at the Midland Met. Each person who completed the programme had an interview. No prior retail experience was required for the entry-level roles, to support local regeneration and ensure the roles were inclusive and available to a diverse range of people. We are pleased to be able to help local people into employment through the initiative and look forward to seeing them flourish in their new careers with ��ҹ�糡.”