Hotel's 'delight' as jobs offer 'security and normality' to Ukrainian refugees

A hotel group that has employed almost 20 Ukrainian refugees has spoken of offering "structure, security and dignity" to people whose lives have been turned upside down following Russia's invasion of their homeland.

The Alexander Hotels collection, which includes Alexander House in west Sussex; Great Fosters in Windsor (pictured); Rowhill Grange in Kent as well as Barnett Hill and Langshott Manor in Surrey, has offered positions in housekeeping, reception and food and beverage teams.

James Perry, General Manager of Rowhill Grange, told The Caterer: "Anyone who can help refugees coming into our country should help and on a professional level we wanted to support through these employment opportunities.

"I think the biggest thing is from our point of view it's a reciprocal relationship and offers individuals that come to work with us a sense of normality, some structure and security and dignity at a time where their worlds have been turned completely upside down and everything is so uncertain for them in their own country.

"We've got our recruitment page, but what we've found is that [more people have come to us] through word of mouth. A mother and daughter we employed have brought other people to us, the Ukrainians themselves when they've seen we're a good company to work for have been in touch with other people they know."

The hotel has put a number of measures in place to support new recruits, including a buddy system to offer support with training, logistics and settling into a new team. Each new team member is also offered a Ukrainian flag pin to wear on their uniform, which allows guests and co-workers to identify they are from Ukraine, whilst also ensuring they won't be put in situations that would be difficult without speaking fluent English.

Perry added: "The buddy system is probably the most important thing we offer, that buddy system gives someone an individual they can talk to and someone that will make them feel part of our work family, they not only help them on a practical level they are also there as a person who can listen to their concerns and that I think has really helped build new friendships and made them feel welcome and not isolated."

Among the new additions is 19-year-old Margarita, who started working at Rowhill Grange earlier this year after fleeing the war. Before arriving in the UK in April, she lived with her parents in Vinnytsia, a large city 150 miles southwest of the capital Kyiv.

She said: "At the start of the war on 22 February, I was woken up at 6am to hear bombs falling nearby. I quickly walked to my grandma's house and there was a real sense of fear and panic. People were flooding to cash machines as they were worried that their money might become inaccessible and there were also huge concerns about shortages of medication.

"I am so grateful for the opportunity to feel like a normal 19-year-old girl again and Rowhill Grange has been so kind to me. My host family live only a 20-minute walk from the hotel so it's really easy for me to get to work. I was studying English before I came to the UK and speaking to people in the restaurant is really helping me improve and build my confidence."

Margarita is continuing her education, with the hotel offering shifts around online lessons and Perry describes her as "a fully integrated member of the team".

He added: "We are lucky to have multiple refugees working at other hotels across the collection and I know I speak on behalf of everybody when I say it's a delight to have them on board!"