Young people have it tough these days: record youth unemployment, public service cuts across the board, exhausting tuition fees and house prices that exclude first time buyers until their mid thirties.
But if that's how it is for those who have every advantage in life, spare a thought for those who have every disadvantage in life. Broken homes, underfunded estates, abuse and neglect driving those caught in its grip to an unchosen life of delinquency, unemployment and crime. Often, the only places where these people feel they belong is in London's gang culture. What options do they have to escape their circumstance?
It should be emphasised then that this is not about giving these people a second chance because they never really had a first chance, they were simply dealt the worst of hands to begin with. Their options are few, especially when employers have so many people after so few jobs. As in so much of their life, they're likely to find themselves once again at the bottom of the pile.
If employers do reach out, the employer themselves are in for hard work, a lot of hard work and probably little thanks, and life for most businesses in this climate already seems tough enough. And it's right here, this situation is on our doorstep, these are neighbours in our boroughs, and only by dint of luck, it's someone else and not you.
Galvin's Chance seeks to do something about it. They recognise both the tragic waste of young potential and the cost to society of abandoning these people to at best, a life of institutional benefits perpetuating the cycle, and at worst, one of crime. Accordingly, Galvin's Chance seeks to offer employment opportunities within the hospitality and service industry to people who would otherwise have no chance. It also offers real qualifications at Westminster Kingsway College. That combination of employment and qualifications lifts people out of their situation and gives them a meaningful prospect for sustainable employment in the industry dramatically changing their life prospects not only for themselves right now but their future family also.
In the words of the charity's founder Fred Sirieix:
"Galvin's Chance is a unique opportunity to make a difference and change someone's life for the better. The kids on the program learn about front of house and restaurants and go to school once a week to get an education. Most importantly however they learn about life skills, discipline, self belief and self confidence so they can realise their potential."
Situated in the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, Galvin at Windows and Hilton in the Community offer employment opportunity to participants, encourage others to do likewise and ensure funding for the scheme. They can't do it alone though and so need all of our support.
You've heard the chat, you want to help, what can you do?
The primary fund raising event for Galvin's Chance is the annual Mayfair Park and Tower Race. Here, up to 150 individuals will run around the Serpentine in Hyde Park before scaling the 28 floors of the Park Lane Hilton to reach Galvin at Windows where they will enjoy a Pommery champagne breakfast.
All they ask is that each participant pays a £20 entry fee and commits to raising £250 of sponsorship. The date of this year's event is Friday 8th July with a start time of 8am. Full details can be found on the Mayfair Park and Tower Race website.
Do get involved, or if running isn't your thing (and it's not really ours to be honest), tell a friend perhaps, put it on facebook or send a Tweet. In doing so, you make a difference.
Need an extra incentive? First, you never know who you'll be running next to, or enjoying that Pommery champagne with. Michel Roux Junior is already confirmed to attend the 2011 event while sports stars Graeme Le Saux and Iwan Thomas have previously taken part. And of course there's Galvin's very own GM and TV star Fred Sirieix as well as Chris Galvin himself.
If that's not enough, we'll give you another incentive. Here at TheCriticalCouple we'll contribute to any participant who gets in touch with us and asks, £10 towards your £250 sponsorship requirement. It's as simple as that. You can register directly here.
If you don't run, you can always make a direct donation at www.galvinschance.co.uk or if you're involved in hospitality and service, maybe think about providing opportunities directly to people on the program by contacting Galvin's Chance.
Please do join us in supporting Galvin's Chance, they really do make an incredible difference.
But if that's how it is for those who have every advantage in life, spare a thought for those who have every disadvantage in life. Broken homes, underfunded estates, abuse and neglect driving those caught in its grip to an unchosen life of delinquency, unemployment and crime. Often, the only places where these people feel they belong is in London's gang culture. What options do they have to escape their circumstance?
It should be emphasised then that this is not about giving these people a second chance because they never really had a first chance, they were simply dealt the worst of hands to begin with. Their options are few, especially when employers have so many people after so few jobs. As in so much of their life, they're likely to find themselves once again at the bottom of the pile.
If employers do reach out, the employer themselves are in for hard work, a lot of hard work and probably little thanks, and life for most businesses in this climate already seems tough enough. And it's right here, this situation is on our doorstep, these are neighbours in our boroughs, and only by dint of luck, it's someone else and not you.
Galvin's Chance seeks to do something about it. They recognise both the tragic waste of young potential and the cost to society of abandoning these people to at best, a life of institutional benefits perpetuating the cycle, and at worst, one of crime. Accordingly, Galvin's Chance seeks to offer employment opportunities within the hospitality and service industry to people who would otherwise have no chance. It also offers real qualifications at Westminster Kingsway College. That combination of employment and qualifications lifts people out of their situation and gives them a meaningful prospect for sustainable employment in the industry dramatically changing their life prospects not only for themselves right now but their future family also.
In the words of the charity's founder Fred Sirieix:
"Galvin's Chance is a unique opportunity to make a difference and change someone's life for the better. The kids on the program learn about front of house and restaurants and go to school once a week to get an education. Most importantly however they learn about life skills, discipline, self belief and self confidence so they can realise their potential."
Situated in the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, Galvin at Windows and Hilton in the Community offer employment opportunity to participants, encourage others to do likewise and ensure funding for the scheme. They can't do it alone though and so need all of our support.
You've heard the chat, you want to help, what can you do?
The primary fund raising event for Galvin's Chance is the annual Mayfair Park and Tower Race. Here, up to 150 individuals will run around the Serpentine in Hyde Park before scaling the 28 floors of the Park Lane Hilton to reach Galvin at Windows where they will enjoy a Pommery champagne breakfast.
All they ask is that each participant pays a £20 entry fee and commits to raising £250 of sponsorship. The date of this year's event is Friday 8th July with a start time of 8am. Full details can be found on the Mayfair Park and Tower Race website.
Do get involved, or if running isn't your thing (and it's not really ours to be honest), tell a friend perhaps, put it on facebook or send a Tweet. In doing so, you make a difference.
Need an extra incentive? First, you never know who you'll be running next to, or enjoying that Pommery champagne with. Michel Roux Junior is already confirmed to attend the 2011 event while sports stars Graeme Le Saux and Iwan Thomas have previously taken part. And of course there's Galvin's very own GM and TV star Fred Sirieix as well as Chris Galvin himself.
If that's not enough, we'll give you another incentive. Here at TheCriticalCouple we'll contribute to any participant who gets in touch with us and asks, £10 towards your £250 sponsorship requirement. It's as simple as that. You can register directly here.
If you don't run, you can always make a direct donation at www.galvinschance.co.uk or if you're involved in hospitality and service, maybe think about providing opportunities directly to people on the program by contacting Galvin's Chance.
Please do join us in supporting Galvin's Chance, they really do make an incredible difference.
Galvin's Chance Race Start
Michel Roux running in last year's event, already confirmed for 2011
On the stairs... be a part of it
Real people who's lives are changed by Galvin's Chance
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