The Manor House Hotel’s Inclusive Employment Journey Transcript.pdf
The journey began when Johnathon Cairns, General Manager at Manor House Hotel, attended a networking event hosted by Durham Business Club. It was here that Johnathon met Charlotte Daglish, an Engagement Officer from DurhamEnable, who saw the potential for partnership. The hotel had several vacancies, and Charlotte recognised the opportunity to match these roles with jobseekers supported by DurhamEnable.
After the initial meeting, Charlotte toured the hotel and conducted a thorough job analysis to understand the requirements of roles such as Kitchen Porter, Spa Host, and Food and Beverage Assistant.
It was important for us to get them in to see how comfortable they felt within the surroundings,” Johnathon noted, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the candidates felt at ease in their new environment.
The collaboration between Manor House Hotel and DurhamEnable involved carefully structured work placements and trials, allowing candidates like Riley to showcase their skills and adapt to the job.
“Riley really needed a place to fit in, and with DurhamEnable and Johnathon at Manor, we created that wrap-around support,” Charlotte explained.
These placements were a resounding success, with Johnathon noting,
“Before we got to the end of the eight-week placement, they were already doing the job to the required spec, so the decision to offer full-time roles was clear.”
The work trials provided the candidates with the opportunity to prove their capabilities, and they quickly became integral members of the team.
Johnathon emphasised the positive impact that hiring through DurhamEnable has had on Manor House Hotel.
“From joining that process, you’ve already broken a load of barriers down to build trust straight away.”
The new employees have not only met the job requirements but have also brought a positive dynamic to the team.
“From having them, the place has improved us as a collective,” Johnathon added.
The partnership has also brought tangible benefits to the business, including saving time in recruitment and providing free training for staff—services that would have otherwise been costly. Johnathon has committed to advancing through the Disability
Johnathon’s openness to new recruitment methods and Charlotte’s dedication to supporting both jobseekers and employers have resulted in a successful outcome for all involved.
As Charlotte aptly put it, “It only takes one employer and one person to make a difference to three people’s lives, and we need more Johnathons.”
If you think your business could benefit from DurhamEnable’s support, get in touch today!
