At Lion, we know that a happy, healthy hospitality industry is essential to our business. However we also know that, traditionally, this industry has had little focus on health and wellbeing. This is why we support Healthy Hospo, a socially conscious health and wellbeing program specifically designed for hospitality staff. The program was originally developed in the UK by Tim Etherington-Judge, who was inspired to create it after experiencing his own mental health issues. Tim realised there was a problem no one in the industry was addressing, and wanted to ensure others didn’t find themselves in the position he was in before he turned his life around. Inspired by Tim’s story and the incredible impact of his program on the UK hospitality industry, we decided to help bring it to New Zealand. During 2020 and 2021 we have been running a pilot to tailor the program to the New Zealand market.
The Healthy Hospo programme consists of in-person and interactive educational workshops, alongside special events that occur throughout the year. Everything from yoga classes to community dinners and collaborative activations designed to drive engagement. Together, these provide hospitality staff with opportunities to learn about fundamental health pillars, such as sleep, connection, mental health, movement, nutrition and leadership; whilst also creating a support network. We hope when our pilot is concluded to roll out a program that will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of New Zealand’s hospitality industry.
