How CRUMBS Project Volunteers Support  Dorset’s Hospitality Sector

By Jennifer Poulson and Professor Peter Jones MBE: How CRUMBS Project Volunteers Support  Dorset’s Hospitality Sector

Supporting Economic Growth Through Inclusive Volunteering

The hospitality industry stands as a cornerstone of the UK economy, employing 3.5 million people and contributing £93 billion annually to the national economy. Within this vibrant sector, volunteers play an essential but often under-recognised role in sustaining local community-focused enterprises that operate with limited resources.

The CRUMBS Project exemplifies how volunteering creates a powerful dual impact: it provides meaningful pathways to independence for individuals with disabilities while simultaneously strengthening the local hospitality ecosystem in Dorset. In 2024 alone, CRUMBS trainees contributed nearly 6,200 employment hours, with fifteen trainees with learning disabilities accounting for over 4,800 voluntary hours within Dorset’s hospitality establishments.

Real-World Applications of Hospitality Skills

CRUMBS trainees apply their specialised hospitality training at various community-centred organisations throughout Dorset. Locations including The Parks Foundation  Slades Farm and Hub on the Heath community café, benefit from CRUMBS volunteers putting their culinary and service skills into practice by:

• Preparing and serving meals, snacks, and beverages to community members and visitors

• Taking on essential kitchen porter roles that ensure operations run smoothly and efficiently

• Enhancing visitor experiences at tourist destinations throughout Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole through direct customer interactions

• Building social capital within the community through their consistent presence and service

These practical contributions represent crucial operational support that many community-focused hospitality venues could not sustain without volunteer assistance.

Quantifying the Economic Value

While volunteers receive no monetary compensation, their work generates substantial economic value. According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, volunteer contributions are valued between £12-£15 per hour. Using this metric, CRUMBS trainees with learning disabilities contributed over £58,000 to Dorset’s economy through their voluntary work in 2024.

This figure, however, captures only the direct economic impact. The full value extends much further when considering:

1. The viability of community events and services that might otherwise be financially unfeasible

2. Increased community engagement and well-being within Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole conurbation.

3. Subsequent spending increases from visitors enjoying volunteer-supported services

4. Formation of community connections that strengthen local economic resilience

Beyond Employment: The Holistic Value of Volunteering

For CRUMBS trainees who may not transition to paid employment, their voluntary contributions remain invaluable, both personally and economically. Their work represents:

• Significant cost savings for community-focused hospitality organisations

• Ongoing skill development that enhances personal independence

• Increased economic activity throughout Dorset’s hospitality sector

• Social benefits that strengthen community connections and support networks

The CRUMBS Project continues to demonstrate how volunteer work serves as both a bridge to employment and an enduring form of community contribution. By supporting individuals with learning disabilities in applying their hospitality skills within local businesses, CRUMBS creates a powerful model of inclusive economic participation that benefits everyone involved.

Through these volunteering opportunities, CRUMBS trainees develop independence, confidence, and workplace competencies while simultaneously becoming essential contributors to Dorset’s hospitality community.

The community value from The CRUMBS Project

The community benefits of The CRUMBS Project charity are multifaceted, extending beyond the trainees who are direct beneficiaries of the charity’s work, to the local economy, along with health, social care, and education sectors.

Boosting mental health and well-being amongst trainees and their carers resulting in a reduction in pressure on the NHS, health, and social care sectors:

• A survey of adults supported by The CRUMBS Project in 2024 found training with the charity had a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing for 100% of participants.

• The CRUMBS Project helps trainees grow in confidence, develop new skills, and become more socially engaged. This personal growth isn’t just good for the trainees; it also has a positive effect on their overall health and well-being.

• The charity can also provide a much-needed break for family members and carers. This respite from caregiving duties gives carers time to recharge, reducing stress and improving their quality of life.

• By helping individuals manage mental health conditions, The CRUMBS Project reduces the pressure on NHS mental health services, preventing crises that might otherwise escalate to require more intensive care before they happen.

Increasing connections among the isolated and vulnerable members of our community also reduces reliance on public services, health, and social care:

• The CRUMBS Project provides a vital community hub in Ensbury Park, not just through being the location of the charity’s professional training centre but also by providing a popular catering and refreshment service to Aster Group’s Hibberd Court assisted living complex. Residents over the age of 55, many with learning disabilities, benefit from access to nutritious and varied menus but also crucial social connections with The CRUMBS Project’s trainees, staff, volunteers, and other residents from the complex.

• Volunteers, including 4 former trainees with learning disabilities or mental health conditions who may otherwise feel socially isolated, benefit from continued social connection with the charity and a sense of teamwork and belonging.

• A survey of family members and supporters of the beneficiaries served by The CRUMBS Project in 2024 found 88% believe the charity enables trainees to make new friends and social relationships that enrich and benefit their future lives.

• Guardians, carers, and family members of trainees and volunteers also become part of a support network, strengthening the social fabric of the community.

Creating a positive economic impact supporting the local economy in Dorset:

• The charity employs 13 staff members, 5 full-time and 8 part-time, including 4 former trainees who have gained paid positions amongst the team and therefore increased financial independence and reduced reliance on state benefits.

• The catering and refreshment service provided by trainees to residents in assisted living is another example of how the charity contributes to local activity.

• The Charity’s advocacy for carers, helping them navigate entitlements and rights, is crucial in ensuring they do not feel isolated in their roles but also in helping people to receive the state benefits they are entitled to and rightfully deserve.

Promoting empowerment through education:

• The CRUMBS Project Charity’s educational programmes equips individuals with the profession and life skills they need to thrive. This not only benefits the trainees but also the wider community. As these individuals integrate more fully into society, they contribute back in the form of enhanced personal development and skills acquisition.

• The CRUMBS Project’s connections with local schools and colleges such as Beaucroft Foundation School, Winchelsea School, and Bournemouth & Poole College also play a key role. By working together, they help bridge the gap between education and the wider community, providing much-needed support and career guidance to young people who might not otherwise have access to these resources.

Engaging public agencies, governmental bodies, and national entities:

• By partnering with local government agencies such as BCP Council that provide partial funding for trainees, The CRUMBS Project Charity acts as a bridge between the community and government support systems, ensuring that individuals receive the necessary resources and advocacy.

• The charity’s work with local and national organisations, charitable funders, and government agencies enhances the ability to secure resources to meet the needs of trainees. This outward look also helps to foster learning, share knowledge and expertise, and access additional funding opportunities that strengthen the Charity’s impact.

The CRUMBS Project Charity’s influence extends far beyond the direct beneficiaries. It is a vital part of the community, creating a ripple effect that improves health, fosters inclusion, reduces strain on public services, and strengthens local and national ties.