YOTEL London City is pledging its support for Pride month by investing in updated LGBTQ+ awareness training on allyship and history for staff, as well as donating 100% of proceeds from a charity cocktail and mocktail to LGBTQ+ helpline charity Switchboard.

Switchboard provides support through phone, email and instant messaging for people who may feel isolated in their community, have an issue or question they want to discuss or are simply looking to talk to someone who shares their experience, The UK’s national LGBTQ+ helpline has provided support to millions of people since its inception, promising that all calls are confidential and no topic is off limits. The helpline operates 10am-10pm daily, and can be reached by dialling 0300 330 0630 – find out more at www.switchboard.lgbt .

YOTEL London’s stylish bar and restaurant Komyuniti will roll out the ‘YOTEL Pride’ cocktail and mocktail for the month of June , as well as YOTEL Crew across the UK taking part in updated LGBTQ+ awareness training. Priced at £6 and available until 30 June, 100% of proceeds from the cocktail and mocktail will directly benefit Switchboard. Switchboard answers on average 18,000 calls a year, with each call costing the charity around £17 for wrap-around support which means they can be there for each and every caller.

Pledging support for Pride, YOTEL has invested in LGBTQ+ training sessions for YOTEL Crew across the UK, led by Polly Shute, Co-Founder of ‘Out and About’ and former board member of Pride in London. With training sessions specifically tailored to hospitality staff, Polly’s sessions for YOTEL include open discussions on how to be an ally, LGBTQ+ history and challenges in the workplace.

Guests in YOTEL London City can also directly donate to Switchboard via digital ‘Tip Jar’ QR codes located in the hotel’s bar and restaurant Komyuniti for Pride month. So guests can donate an amount of their own choosing to the charity, even if not purchasing a cocktail or mocktail!

Stephanie Fuller, General Manager at Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline said, “We are delighted to be supported by YOTEL as part of its Pride campaign in 2022. Switchboard is the national LGBTQ+ helpline in the UK, and the visibility of our helpline that this partnership will bring across the UK is vital.

“Each year our dedicated team of listening volunteers hold over 18,000 conversations with people in need of support with conversations ranging from, but not limited to coming out, sexuality, gender identity, isolation, and mental health.

“Each call costs us around £17.00 for all the wrap-around support which means we can be there for a caller. The support and visibility this partnership will provide cannot be understated, ultimately it will mean our confidential non-judgemental service will continue to be there 10 am -10 pm, 365 days a year by phone, instant messaging and email to support people from the LGBTQ+ communities that need someone to listen.”

Polly Shute, Co-Founder of Out and About Festival, organiser of Southbank Surfing and YOTEL consultant said: “It’s great to see a brand as big as YOTEL pledge its support for the LGBTQ+ community with proceeds from the sale of the Pride cocktails this month. Through my work, I’m keenly aware of the discrimination and injustices our community continue to face, some of which do occur in the hospitality industry. It’s essential we educate people on how to be an ally, and I’ve enjoyed starting conversations with YOTEL about how brands can better interact with LGBTQ+ patrons and staff.”

Olivia Donnan, Vice President Brand & Communications at YOTEL HQ said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Switchboard and Polly Shute to celebrate and support Pride in our communities across the UK. At YOTEL, we strive to be an inclusive space for every guest, visitor and Crew member and are pleased to continue our ongoing work supporting the community through donations and training this June.”