In a move which will support the mental wellbeing of hospitality professionals, Lifetime, the UK’s leading provider of hospitality apprenticeships, has today announced a new partnership with So Let’s Talk, the not-for-profit mental health and wellbeing organisation focused on the hospitality sector.
Through this collaboration, around 5,000 learners currently training with Lifetime across major UK hospitality brands including Mitchells & Butlers, Nando’s and McDonalds, will gain ongoing access to tailored mental health resources and support. The initiative is designed to address the unique pressures faced by those working in hospitality.
Recent research from Hospitality Action paints a picture of worsening mental health in the industry, with over three quarters (76%) of hospitality workers reporting mental health issues during their careers. The findings show that while two-thirds feel their employer is open to discussing mental health, a significant proportion do not feel adequately supported.
For hospitality apprentices, who are often new to the workplace and combining their work with learning, additional wellbeing and mental health guidance can be particularly needed. Through this partnership, Lifetime learners will have access to an additional mental health and well-being learning plan, as part of every Hospitality apprenticeship. As this partnership grows, learners on Hospitality Leadership programmes will also receive additional, tailored support, ensuring they gain the confidence to provide appropriate mental health guidance to their teams.
The partnership announcement coincides with the launch of The Academy by Lifetime—an enhanced apprenticeship model that offers shared, immersive learning experiences, built on over 200 years of combined experience from Lifetime’s team of hospitality experts.
Matthew Summerbell, Hospitality Operations Director at Lifetime, says: “This partnership is about making meaningful, lasting change in the hospitality industry. By embedding So Let’s Talk’s expertise into our learner experience, we’re not only equipping hospitality professionals with technical skills but ensuring they have the tools and support to thrive mentally and emotionally too.
Together with the re-launch of The Academy, this partnership signals Lifetime’s commitment to working with Hospitality employers to create the resilient workforce of tomorrow.”
Paddy Howley, Founder of So Let’s Talk, commented: “We’re proud to be working with Lifetime to reach thousands of learners at such a formative stage of their careers.”
Joe Hurd, Chef and The Academy by Lifetime Ambassador, added: “Over my career working in all sorts of kitchens and hospitality settings, I’ve witnessed how much difference getting the support you need can be when it comes to mental health and sadly seen the effects of too little.
Our industry is challenging, sometimes even gruelling and that is when we need the most help and support. So much can go unsaid, unanswered or ignored. By talking about our problems, we can overcome them.
With this partnership, Lifetime and So Let’s Talk are not only providing resources and guidance to those starting their careers with an apprenticeship but also helping to ensure that hospitality professionals are equipped with the tools to continue this and support others throughout their working lives, to ensure they have long, happy careers, and lives, in our fantastic industry and in their personal lives.”
