Chopstix Announces Exciting New Charity of the Year Partnership with Mencap
Chopstix, the UK’s leading Chinese-inspired Quick Service A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support. Restaurant (QSR) brand, is proud to announce an exciting new national partnership with learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. charity Mencap, reinforcing its commitment to supporting people with a learning disability and helping them live life to the full.
Chopstix and Mencap began their relationship over a year ago through a Supported Internship Programme. During this time, Chopstix has helped several young people with a learning disability gain valuable
work experience
Work experience is when you try out a job to help you learn new skills.
, leading to meaningful career opportunities and fostering inclusion within its teams.
This new partnership will fundraise for vital funds and support people with a learning disability into meaningful
employment
Employment means having a job.
. Current employment rates for people with a learning disability are very low. Chopstix is working with Mencap to help more people into roles that will enhance their
independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
and help develop workplace skills.
In addition to The Supported Internship Programme, the partnership will also fund a
Volunteer
A volunteer is someone who helps out by doing work for free.
to Work Scheme, supporting Mencap to provide a dedicated caseworker in its charity shops who can provide volunteers with tailored coaching to build confidence and workplace skills. The programme will run across 10 Mencap retail stores helping create clear pathways into paid employment, including opportunities at Chopstix restaurants.
The partnership will also provide support for people with a learning disability by helping Mencap deliver essential services, including information, advice, and campaigning for
equality
Equality is when everyone is treated fairly.
, to help the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK to live their lives to the fullest.
Jaime Traynor, Safeguarding Keeping people safe from being hurt, abused, or neglected is called Safeguarding. and Fundraising Consultant at JDT Consultancy and Training Ltd, has been brought on board to facilitate this partnership with both the Chopstix Executive and Chopstix Junior Board.
Tricia Hamilton, People Director at Chopstix, commented “This project is personal for me. Like so many of us at Chopstix, especially our CEO Jon and founders Menashe and Sam - lives have been touched by people with a learning disability. For me, to have Jon, Menashe and Sam leading the way and championing us to explore this, shows the beating heart we have here at Chopstix.
Over the past year, we’ve been running our Supported Internship Programme and it’s worked. We’ve seen real success stories, and it’s opened up opportunities for us to do more as a business, such as, raise funds, educate and build the skillset of our teams, while opening the door for people who need the opportunity and supporting them through the process. It’s been hugely rewarding.
Now we’re doubling down with Mencap. Together, we’ll keep helping those who can work into meaningful, relevant roles, and through fundraising we’ll create support for those who cannot work, so no one is left behind. This isn’t just for young people; it’s for people of all ages with a learning disability.”
Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive at learning disability charity Mencap said: “We’re delighted to announce this partnership with Chopstix, which will see the creation of many potential new roles for people with a learning disability. This initiative will help to raise awareness of the work we do at Mencap, along with building meaningful career paths for a pool of new talent. We hope that this partnership will encourage employers to think about opening the door to new opportunities for the 900,000 working age people with a learning disability in the UK.”
Through this partnership, Chopstix aims to show firsthand that inclusion is practical, powerful and profoundly human, giving other businesses the confidence to follow.
Chopstix was established in Camden Market in 2002 by entrepreneurs Sam Elia and Menashe Sadik, who remain involved Involved is being included in something or taking part in something. with the business on a day-to-day basis. The Chopstix Group has undergone a busy period of brand development and expansion as Chopstix sets its sights on becoming the largest Asian Quick Service Restaurant company on the continent.
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For more information, please contact Fleet Street, [email protected]
For further information, please contact Mencap’s media team on: [email protected] or 02076 965414 (including out of hours).
Note to editors
About Mencap
Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and campaign with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and campaign for better health,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
and employment opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.
What is a learning disability?
- A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
- Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or
dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect. With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability
When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up-to-date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.
About Chopstix
Established in 2002 by entrepreneurs Sam Elia and Menashe Sadik, Chopstix is the UK’s leading Pan-Asian quick service restaurant brand, serving faster, fresher, tastier alternatives to high street staples. After its humble beginnings at Camden Market, the business now has locations stretching from Aberdeen in the North to Southampton in the South, and from Norwich in the East to Bridgend in the West. The business also has a significant footprint in Ireland.
The Chopstix Group comprises Chopstix Noodle Bar, the UK’s largest Asian QSR brand, Yangtze and Chozen. The group’s total number of Asian QSR sites now sits at over 150, with venues operating under the three brands in the company’s portfolio. The fast-growing group comprises locations across the UK and Ireland through a mix of company owned and operated locations and franchise sites run through partnerships with the likes of Butlin’s, Haven and all of the ‘Big 5’ MSA operators.
For more information please visit: www.chopstixnoodles.co.uk