Hilton Global Foundation and Hilton UK Foundation Back UK Charities and Organisations with Nearly £900,000 to Help Young People Get Ahead

The following organisations are receiving support this year across employment, inclusion, wellbeing and environmental programmes.

Felix: Felix was founded in 2026 following the merger of The Felix Project and FareShare. The charity rescues good-to-eat surplus food, that would otherwise go to waste and gets it to more than 8,000 community organisations across the UK, reaching over 1.5 million people. Through funding from the Hilton Global Foundation, Hilton supports both the charity's food redistribution work and its Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme, which helps vulnerable young people gain qualifications, kitchen experience and routes into long-term employment.

Springboard: Springboard is the UK's leading hospitality careers charity, helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds build careers in the industry. Its Destination Hospitality programme provides training, qualifications, work placements and mentoring for young people and adults facing barriers such as unemployment, low income and mental health challenges. Funding will help more people facing barriers to work access training, qualifications, mentoring and employment opportunities across the hospitality sector.

Team Domenica: Team Domenica is a Brighton-based charity helping young people with learning disabilities and autism to move into work through specialist training and employer partnerships. Its two-year programme gives participants real-world experience, including work placements and internships with local employers, more than half of them in hospitality. Support from the Hilton UK Foundation will help expand employer partnerships and create more inclusive job opportunities.

The Burnt Chef Project: The Burnt Chef Project is a global social enterprise supporting mental health and wellbeing across hospitality. Through free eLearning, college workshops and a 24/7 confidential text support service, it provides practical help for workers and students in a high-pressure industry. Funding from the Hilton UK Foundation will help expand its services across the UK, increasing access to support and helping build a healthier, more resilient hospitality workforce.

Only A Pavement Away: Only A Pavement Away connects individuals experiencing homelessness, prison leavers and other barriers to employment with jobs in hospitality. Through training, 121 support and employer partnerships, the charity helps people build stable careers and greater independence. Funding will support more learning and development opportunities, helping more people move into long-term work.

Down Syndrome Association's WorkFit programme: The Down Syndrome Association's WorkFit programme supports people who have Down's syndrome secure meaningful, paid work by matching candidates with inclusive employers and providing advice, resources, training and ongoing workplace support. It also works with businesses to remove barriers and enhance accessibility to support participants to build confidence, increase independence, develop professionally and successfully navigate the world of work.

Fair Shot: Fair Shot helps young adults with learning disabilities move into work through immersive hospitality training at its Covent Garden social enterprise café. The charity also works with employers to improve inclusive hiring and create lasting job opportunities. Funding will expand training and employment support for 45 young adults with learning disabilities in 2026.

The Right Course: The Right Course uses hospitality training to help people in prison gain skills, confidence and qualifications that improve their chances of finding work after release. By turning prison staff restaurants into training environments, and supporting graduates through the gates and into employment, the charity gives learners real-world experience and supports a route away from reoffending.

Debate Mate: Debate Mate helps young people build confidence, communication and critical thinking skills through programmes in schools and communities. Funding will support work with students in disadvantaged areas, helping them strengthen employability skills, raise aspirations and explore future careers, including in hospitality.

Cameron's Companions: Cameron's Companions provides vital mental health support to men and boys experiencing suicidal thoughts and emotional distress. Its services offer rapid access to counselling without the need for GP referrals, helping individuals access professional support quickly and reducing barriers to early intervention. Funding will help expand access to these services and reach more people in need.

Sunnyside Rural Trust: Sunnyside Rural Trust offers adults with learning disabilities opportunities to acquire skills in various horticulture and retail activities. The organisation believes in empowering individuals to fulfil their potential, benefiting not only themselves but also the broader community and environment. Funding will help redevelop a rural cabin into a community wellbeing and education hub, creating a welcoming space for learning, social connection and skills development for people with learning disabilities, families and carers.

4ocean Foundation: 4ocean Foundation removes plastic pollution from the ocean, rivers, and coastlines while supporting healthier marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Funding will support its Bali Rainy Season Rapid Response programme, intercepting plastic during peak monsoon periods before it breaks down into harmful microplastics and disperses into the sea. Through global education and awareness initiatives, the Foundation also inspires behaviour change and empowers communities to take action for a healthier planet.