Last Christmas the Park Inn Telford organised a toy appeal for the local hospital, as their toys were getting old and tired. They asked guests and staff to bring in used toys that were in good condition or new toys. This proved very successful with approximately 30 new toys donated to the Princess Royal Hospitals childrens ward in Telford. Then in April, instead of paying a joining fee, new members of the innaction health and fitness club were invited to donate an Easter egg. 35 Easter eggs were collected for the very grateful children's ward.
HIV/Aids Awareness Campaign at Radisson SAS Hotel, Waterfront
The Radisson SAS Hotel, Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa recently held a compulsory Aids Awareness information session for all employees, followed by a voluntary, confidential HIV/ Aids pre-counseling and testing session.The limited knowledge and lack of awareness about HIV and Aids amongst many employees is often due to not having access to the correct information channels with regards to the threat of the virus, and where to find help. Many do not know where to go to get tested, what to do if they are found to be positive or how to stay healthy and fit to contribute in the working environment.
After President Mbeki's State of the Nation address earlier this year emphasizing the commitment of all industries to intensify the campaign against HIV and Aids, it was selected as a target for the Hotel's Responsible Business programme for the year 2007.The programme was a huge success with 171 staff members participating and a staggering 94% volunteered to be tested. As a result:
- All employees are now empowered to respond to their HIV status
- Better quality lives for those employees with HIV infection
- An improved awareness about HIV for those who are not infected
- Individuals now have access to an infrastructure in the community who will be able to give them and their families the support they may require
- Managers are better equipped to manage the impact of HIV and Aids on the business.
- It laid the foundation for an HIV/Aids policy for the hotel
Staff Stop Smoking Competition in Copenhagen
On World Tobacco Free Day the Radisson SAS Scandinavia, Radisson SAS Royal and Radisson SAS Falconer Hotels in Copenhagen introduced a new smoking policy for staff areas. Smoking in canteens is not allowed during the main dining hours and smoking is not allowed in the buildings unless it is clearly marked with a smoking sign.
As well as this smoking policy, staff were informed about World Tobacco Free Day which takes place on the 31st of May each year and information was provided on smoking and the effects of smoking on the staff notice board every day.
The three hotels also started an initiative to help employees stop smoking. They have created non-smoking groups who report their progress on a weekly basis to the Responsible Business groups at their properties and the results are shared with the rest of the employees through staff notice boards. The groups are competing for the best result, which is measured by the decrease in number and percentage of cigarettes smoked. The prize is a dinner in the gourmet restaurant Alberto K at the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel l. The prize and the costs of the kick off meetings are sponsored by the hotels.
Radisson SAS Krakow hosts Young Mothers
A group of young mothers aged between 14 and 18 years old from Jan Brzechwa Children's Home in Krakow was recently invited to visit Radisson SAS hotel Krakow. The idea was to show girls possibilities of self- development, job opportunities in hospitality business and also to talk about possible trainee programmes at the hotel. A tour of the house was organised and girls were able to visit the rooms, lobby bar, fitness centre, restaurant and also back office areas - accounting, administration, kitchen, housekeeping. They were given the opportunity to talk to employees and ask questions about their work. After sightseeing, lunch was organised for the girls in the hotel's Milk & Co. restaurant. Radissons SAS Krakow intends to continue such visits and next visit scheduled for August/ September 2007 will include topics like: table set up, cutlery set up and savoir vivre.
Radisson SAS Senator Hotel, Lübeck uses Disabled Community Laundry
The Vorwerker Heime is an open institution where disabled people live together in an open community. They are almost completely self supporting with their own laundry, kitchen, bakery, food shops etc. Radisson SAS Senator Hotel, Lübeck has visited the institution many times and uses the group's laundry service for their bathroom laundry. This can mean that there are more flaws but the hotel takes this into consideration with pleasure, as they know they are contributing to allowing these people with less opportunities lead a normal life.
Blood Donation at Radisson SAS Birdland Hotel & Resort, Bükfördö
A challenge in Hungarian hospitals is to be able to ensure sufficient quantities of blood. Therefore the Radisson SAS Birdland Hotel & Resort, Bükfördö, decided to organise a blood donation campaign 'Give blood and save three lives!' together with the Red Cross. During the day, close to 60 hotel employees, guests, and inhabitants from the Bük village donated a total of 26.1 liters of blood. The Red Cross was very happy with the result. Every blood donor got a voucher that allowed them and their families to use the pools and saunas and one donor won a two-night stay at the hotel.