THE CORE OF WHAT I DO
Acorn to Oak
A genuine first step into hospitality, for people who've had the least opportunity to get started -- built around what hiring managers actually look for, not generic employability theory.
Hospitality already runs on young people -- it just doesn't keep them
WHY THIS EXISTS
Bounded, practical sessions built around your team — booked directly, with no ongoing commitment required.
52%
UK hospitality's staff turnover -- the highest of any sector. (CIPD)
3 yrs
Average employee tenure in hospitality -- the second-lowest of any UK industry.
50%
Of waiting staff nationally are aged 16-24, despite being just 10% of the workforce.
Not a generic course. A practical route in.
WHAT'S ACTUALLY INCLUDED
Delivered flexibly -- as standalone workshops, a structured multi-week programme, or embedded within an existing employability service.
See Acorn to Oak in detail →
Straight from someone who's done the hiring -- what actually gets someone picked, not textbook theory.
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Confidence and workplace readiness
Built at a realistic pace, for people who may never have had a formal job before -- not rushed, not patronising.
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Ongoing support once the workshop ends
Through the Oak Project community, extending from the workshop into employment -- not a one-off session and goodbye.
Practical preparation for the actual job -- handling pressure, working as a team, and interview confidence that holds up under real questioning.
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What makes a hospitality employer say yes
Floor and interview skills, built for real shifts
Simple, from first message to delivery
HOW IT WORKS
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We talk through referral pathways, funding, and what delivery could realistically look like.
A tailored programme
Sessions built around your cohort's needs, timeline, and goals -- not a fixed template.
Delivery, with follow-up built in
Support doesn't end when the session does -- follow-up is part of the plan, not an upsell.
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Get in touch
Tell me about the people you support, and what's not working currently.
A conversation about partnership
Before you get in touch
COMMON QUESTIONS
How is this funded?
Acorn to Oak is designed to be commissioned through existing employability and skills funding — such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Youth Guarantee delivery contracts, or your organisation's own commissioning budget. Get in touch to talk through the right funding route for your area.
Can this fit within a programme or contract we already run?
Yes. Acorn to Oak can be delivered as a standalone commission, or embedded within an existing employability service, referral pathway, or funded programme you're already running.
How do you report on outcomes?
Reporting is shaped around what your organisation needs — typically covering attendance, engagement, and progression outcomes such as movement into work, further training, or continued support. I'm happy to work within your existing reporting framework rather than asking you to adapt to mine.
What's the typical scale or commitment?
Delivery begins with a focused pilot cohort, allowing outcomes to be tested and refined before scaling to a wider rollout.