This afternoon tea is made and served by people with learning disabilities: ‘A wonderful celebration’

Much of this afternoon tea is like any other. There are the scones you top with clotted cream and strawberry jam, little rectangular sandwiches (some of which are pink) and delectable sweet treats which perch at the top of the cake tower. 

It’s served in a grand room in the Waldorf Hilton in London’s Covent Garden, which featured in the original 1958 Titanicfilm A Night to Remember and the 2019 Elton John biopic Rocketman.

But this afternoon tea is especially lovely, because it is designed, made and served by people with learning disabilities.

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Hilton has a 10-year partnership with Aurora Foxes, a hospitality college and training hotel in Minehead for young people with learning disabilities. It has provided 89 work placements, with 15 former students currently employed with Hilton.

This afternoon tea is crafted by the students, giving them brilliant work experience and helping them on their journeys to finding employment. There will be a public sitting on 2 July.

Schemes like this are vital as just 5% of the 1.5 million people with learning disabilities in the UK are in work as a result of the barriers faced by people with learning disabilities to finding employment.

Six of the students designed their own signature lemon sherbet macaroon, the ‘Foxes Showstopper’, inspired by vintage sweet shop flavours and in the Aurora Foxes college colours, alongside Waldorf Hilton’s executive head chef Malcolm Camilleri.

The whole team received a standing ovation once the afternoon tea had been served and devoured.

Hilton also partners with Down’s Syndrome Association, a collaboration which has led to 52 work placements, with almost 40 people working at Hilton to have come through the charity’s WorkFit Programme.

Sam Innes, who is 25 and has Down’s syndrome, is one of those people. He has worked at the Waldorf Hilton for two years as a food and beverage assistant, serving hotel guests their breakfast. 

He was asked to speak ahead of the afternoon tea and had to pause during his speech because he was overwhelmed with emotion and happiness seeing so many people with learning disabilities being given the opportunity to work and show their talents.

“I really love having a job. It gives me value in life and it gives me something to do,” Innes tells the Big Issue after he has finished eating a scone.

Innes struggled to get a job because of the barriers people with learning disabilities face to getting employment. “I was looking for a job but it was difficult,” he says.

He contacted the Down’s Syndrome Association’s WorkFit team to help him. “This job came up and they let my parents know and I was like: ‘Yes, of course!’”

 “It’s the right job for me. I work to my strengths. I’m drawn to other people and serving.”

Hilton’s survey of more than 500 people with learning disabilities and their carers found that 79% believe businesses should do more to promote job opportunities and inclusive hiring.

Its research suggests that doing so could have a positive impact on employment levels, as three quarters (74%) of people with learning disabilities would feel more confident applying for roles if they saw more people with similar disabilities in their workforce.

Stephen Cassidy, senior vice president at Hilton UK and Ireland, says his team provides the “right support where everyone feels valued” and “empowers individuals to reach their full potential”.

Innes believes more companies could learn from his employer, saying: “There definitely should be way more programmes hiring people with special difficulties into work.”

Alison Thwaite, head of employment services at the Down’s Syndrome Association, says the afternoon tea is a “wonderful celebration of the skills, talents and abilities of people with learning disabilities”. 

“We have a pool of very talented people who are committed and they want to work and it’s wonderful to see them being given every opportunity to shine and fulfil their ambitions.”

Thwaite added that many employers are “missing out on incredibly talented individuals who have such a great range of skills”.

George Griffiths has been a kitchen assistant at Hilton London Kensington for two years and says it is “most enjoyable” to help prepare food. His colleague Harry Tulloch agrees, saying: “I like making breakfast. It’s really important getting it ready for tomorrow.”

Mark Costello, principal at Aurora Foxes, adds: “When people with learning disabilities see others like themselves thriving in customer-facing roles, it inspires confidence and ambition. 

“By providing meaningful employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities, Hilton is transforming lives, challenging perceptions, and breaking down barriers in the wider community. Our work is about creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.”

Additional public sittings of the afternoon tea will take place on 2 July at 12 noon, 2.30pm, and 5pm. Tickets are priced at £49.50 and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To book, contact: Homage.Restaurant@Hilton.com.

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