27-year-old Harry started working at DoubleTree by Hilton in Bath back in August 2017.

He’s recently been promoted to Junior Food and Beverage Supervisor, which involves more responsibilities:

My job involves making sure that the team layout the restaurant correctly for breakfast, lunch and dinner, making sure that the floor walks have been all completed and the room trays are all neat and tidy.

He’s also been working with Assistant Food and Beverage Manager Sonya to create standard operating procedure documents. He’s just made one showing staff on how to set up an afternoon tea.

Prior to his role at the Hilton, Harry trained at Foxes Hotel in Minehead – the UK’s only training hotel for young people with learning disabilities.

Harry’s had lots of positive feedback from customers, including some TripAdvisor reviews where he’s mentioned by name.

Learning new skills

Outside of work, Harry and his United Response support staff have been working together on improving his communication, particularly when he’s feeling under pressure.

Harry’s Team Manager Sarah Bryant explained how they’ve been supporting Harry to feel comfortable sharing how he’s feeling:

We write some questions on a Word document and Harry uses the laptop to write down how he’s feeling.

We leave him to it, then he can get all his emotions out on the page.

Harry says his confidence has really improved thanks to Sarah and his staff team. So much so that he decided to take on some barista training at Bath City Farm to help him in his new role:

I learned how to be a barista. Using the machines gave me confidence and now I know how to make different coffees.

He says that one day he might like to be hotel manager at the Hilton, but for now, he’s very happy with his current role.

“Harry’s come on leaps and bounds, especially with being able to express how he feels. We’re actually looking for him to live on his own now,” said Sarah.

She added:

I’m very proud of him for getting this promotion.

Future plans and goals

Outside of work, music-lover Harry recently went to see Ed Sheeran which he said was a ‘big dream’ of his. He’s also booked tickets to see Take That in July.

Harry also loves travelling. He went to New Orleans last year and is planning a trip to London this year. He says his dream holiday destination would be Australia!

Harry’s a keen baker and often bakes cakes for people in the village. He also goes to church regularly.

From left: Harry outside Wembley Stadium for Ed Sheeran’s gig; Harry holding one of his cakes

“Harry’s a big part of the local community, everybody knows him,” said Sarah.

“He’s polite, funny and adventurous. He’s a very knowledgeable young man and an absolute pleasure to support.”

Could you support someone like Harry to achieve their goals, travel and have fun?

We’re hiring across England and Wales – see our latest vacancies.

  • Jenna Lloyd is Senior Content Officer for United Response.