Since 2019, HOST has worked alongside Foxes Hotel to further develop skills to use in their personal and professional lives.

Foxes Hotel, based in Minehead, is where students, aged 16-25 with additional learning and physical needs, have a 38-week supported-residential accommodation. During their placement they are able to learn independence and meaningful skills with help from vocational tutors, therapists, and house staff. At the hotel, the students work within a variety of departments, such as housekeeping, food preparation and reception.

Our most recent cohort joined us in September 2022, HOST have been providing work experience to the students; every Friday, we have had 6 students across Sedgemoor and Hinkley Campus, learning our HOST work values, operating our Guest Management system and cleaning rooms. Through this venture, it has enabled the students to transfer their skills to a different work environment and to help them experience a busy hospitality workplace.

Rebecca, who was assisting our Reception Team has said: ‘I loved it! Working with the Reception team has made me feel more confident when I am speaking to customers and my team at the Foxes Hotel. My favourite thing to do is work on the computers, I enjoy allocating rooms, preparing the keys, and answering the phone calls.’

Emma, assisting with Housekeeping: 'It was fun! The Housekeeping team were helpful and nice, they even gave me my own rooms to clean! My favourite part was changing the bed sheets! I feel as if they have helped me feel more confident when cleaning rooms at Foxes as well as my own room! I am really going to miss them.’

HOST would like to take time to thank the Foxes Hotel for assisting our teams; it has been a pleasure to work alongside the students.