We’re proud to be partnered with Chopstix to raise awareness and vital funds for people with a learning disability . Together, we’re creating more opportunities for inclusion at work and in everyday life and moving closer to a future where everyone can live life to the full.

Chopstix is one of the UK’s fastest growing Asian inspired quick service restaurant brands. They’re known for serving fresh, tasty noodle dishes, fast, friendly, and full of flavour. Since opening their first restaurant in 2002, they’ve grown to more than 150 locations across the UK and Ireland.

Jon Sparkes OBE, our Chief Executive, 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. We hope this partnership will encourage employers to open the door to new opportunities for the 900,000 working age people with a learning disability in the UK.

Working together to create more opportunities

Chopstix prides itself on creating opportunities for its people, celebrating diversity , and being an active part of the communities they serve. These priorities match our aim to open up opportunities and inclusion for people with a learning disability.

People working in a Chopstix restaurant

Chopstix believes in more than just serving great food, they want to make a positive difference in the communities they are part of. 

Our vision is a future where people with a learning disability get the right support to access and stay in work. Together, we share a clear goal: to create more job opportunities for people with a learning disability and support people to thrive at work.

Through this partnership, we’re able to provide essential support, campaign for equality , and open upmore pathways into employment for people with a learning disability.

Chopstix’s fundraising is helping us to deliver life changing initiatives such as our Volunteer to Workscheme in Mencap charity shops. 

This programme supports volunteers to build practical and personal skills, like communication, teamwork and confidence, so they can take their next steps into paid work.

Tricia Hamilton, Head of People & Culture at Chopstix, shared: “This project is personal for me. Like so many of us at Chopstix, especially our CEO Jon, and founders Menashe and Sam, our lives have been touched by people with a learning disability. 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. Now we’re doubling down with Mencap. Together, we’ll keep helping those who can work into meaningful roles, and through fundraising we’ll create support for those who cannot work, so no one is left behind.”

Chopstix are also supporting our wider mission, including:

  1. Campaigning for equality
  2. Funding research
  3. Providing trusted information and advice for people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

With their support, we can continue to challenge stigma, reduce inequality, and create a society where everyone is included.

A man with a learning disability sitting in a Chopstix restaurant underneath a sign which says I love noodles

Why this partnership matters

People with a learning disability have been left behind for far too long. Many face stigma, discrimination , and barriers to the support they need. 

The impact is clear:

  • 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability
  • Around 2 in 5 deaths of people with a learning disability are avoidable
  • People with a learning disability die, on average, almost 20 years younger than the general population
  • The UK employment rate is 75%, but for disabled people it’s 53.1% and people with a learning disability, it is half that
  • For people with a learning disability known to adult social care , only 6% are in paid work.
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How I got a job as a Front of House Team Member at Chopstix

Meet Arjhay, one of Mencap's Job Squad! Arjhay is 22, has learning disabilities and is currently in a paid job as a Front of House Team Member at Chopstix.

The job squad share their stories and the real impact of inclusive workplaces - how it boosts confidence, independence , and wellbeing - while challenging misconceptions about learning disability.

Read Arjhay's story  
Arjhay in a chopstix sweatshirt and cap holding chopsticks
Questions and answers about our partnership with Chopstix

Barriers to employment include fear of losing benefits, inaccessible recruitment processes, limited experience , and negative attitudes from employers. That’s why this partnership is so important. 

Together with Chopstix, we’re breaking down barriers, building skills, and opening doors to meaningful employment. We’re also funding vital work to influence policy, improve services, and support people with a learning disability and their families.

Together with Chopstix, we aim to:

  1. Create more job opportunities for people with a learning disability
  2. Support people to build skills, confidence and independence
  3. Raise awareness of the barriers people face
  4. Challenge stigma and promote inclusion
  5. Fund vital services, campaigning and support.

This partnership is about more than fundraising, it’s about changing lives, changing attitudes, and changing the future.

Customers can donate to Mencap via QR codes in-store, they will be able to top-up their bill at the till, and can support Chopstix fundraising events.

 

Donate

You can find out more about Chopstix and what they do on their website : https://chopstixnoodles.co.uk 

Chopstix website