Pub workers fly high to raise awareness of mental health issue in hospitality
TWO bosses at a bustling Southport pub are getting ready to throw themselves out of a ‘plane at 10,000 ft - to highlight the stress and mental health issues faced by people working in the hospitality industry.
Assistant manager Karl Slack and supervisor Abigail Flynn, from The Guelder Rose, next to Southport Pier, will be making their daredevil leap at Hinton Airfield in Northamptonshire on Wednesday, June 15.
They are determined to raise awareness of mental health issues faced by people within their industry.
They are also asking people to donate to their GoFundMe fundraising page ‘The Burnt Chef- Team Guelder Rose Skydive‘, with proceeds going to The Burnt Chef Project.
They said: “Four out of five. “That’s how many people working within the hospitality industry have reported to have had at least one mental health issue during their career.
“To raise vital funds and awareness, myself and Abigail will be taking part in a skydive!
“We will be taking a leap of faith, 10,000 feet up!
“The Burnt Chef Project is a notfor-profit organisation that is fully committed to making the hospitality profession healthier and more sustainable, working hard to remove the stigma associated with mental health within an industry notorious for high pressure, stressful environments.
“We aim to raise a minimum of £1,000 for this amazing charitable cause, one which is personal to us all for various reasons.
“If you’d be kind enough to show us your support, it would be greatly appreciated. Every little helps!”
The challenge really will be a test of nerves for Karl, who doesn’t boast the best head for heights.
At a recent visit to Go Ape in Cheshire, he said: “I couldn’t even jump off the platform even though I was strapped in.
“How I’m meant to get the nerve to jump out of a ‘plane is beyond me!”
But the motivation to help those in the hospitality industry who may be struggling is driving Karl and Abigail.
Hospitality is a demanding industry, with workers often at great pressure working in a busy environment.
The pair work in The Guelder Rose, a very busy Marston’s pub which enjoys a prime tourism spot facing Southport Beach and Southport Pier.
They said: “We just want to spread more awareness that it’s ok not to be ok and that there are people there to help!
“If we can help even one person by linking them up with the organisation then that would be amazing.
“From working in a busy seaside pub we know first hand how stressful it can be on all members of the team, in the front of house team as well as back of house.
“This is in addition to everyone enduring the worst two years that everyone in our industry has faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has also impacted on everyone’s mental health.
“Now, more than ever, we want to do something to provide some help for all our colleagues in our industry!
“Rising living costs along with intense pressure of the current shortage of chefs can affect everyone differently. The Burnt Chef is there 24/7 to help people.
“The organisation has online tutorials as well as a helpline. It also provides a wide range of tools, services and education.
“I think this is a great tool for anyone to use, as mental health should not just be tucked away in a corner. It should be more talked about and hopefully with doing the skydive we can raise awareness and some much needed funds to stop the stigma of mental health being such a closed subject.
“This is a cause we feel strongly about.
“We would like to ask people if they could sponsor us with as little or as much as they can spare for all people working in hospitality right now who may need some extra help.”