HOSPITALITY group, Galgorm Collection, has confirmed a new three-year strategic partnership with the NOW Group social enterprise, which includes a commitment to creating at least five new jobs for people living with autism.
Established in 2000, the NOW Group supports people with learning difficulties and autism into employment, and since 2012 it has promoted the JAM card initiative.
The card was created to allow people with learning difficulties and communication barriers to ask for ‘Just A Minute’ of patience when in customer service situations.
As part of its new partnership with the NOW Group, Galgorm Collection has secured the first ever gold JAM card membership on the island of Ireland awarded to a hospitality group.
The company said it hopes the initiative will help to support guests and visitors with learning difficulties, autism, or communication barriers to experience its full five-star service.
Galgorm Collection has also committed to creating at least five new jobs for people living with autism and enrolled with NOW Group’s employment service. The new jobs cover a range of hospitality roles throughout the hospitality group’s properties in Belfast, Ballymena, Crawfordsburn and Templepatrick.
Maeve Monaghan from NOW Group said: “We are thrilled to confirm Galgorm Collection as our first strategic hospitality partner and to work with the group in achieving Gold JAM Card Membership which represents our top mark for diversity and inclusion.
“Since launching the JAM Card initiative in 2012, the scheme has been a resounding success with more than 1,800 organisations across the region participating in the training programme. “We’re delighted to now build upon that momentum by announcing a new strategic partnership with Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality group which will take the programme to the next level.”
Tiarnán O'Neill, group finance director at Galgorm Collection, added: “As a responsible business and major local employer, Galgorm Collection is deeply committed to excellence and inclusivity which is firmly embedded within our business.
“We’re delighted to be the first hospitality partner on the island of Ireland set to achieve Gold Jam Card Membership status and affirm our commitment to supporting our communities.”
