Hospitality staff in Scotland who are looking to ‘change their relationship’ with alcohol might benefit from the ‘positive pyschology’ of free coaching now being made available through industry charity Hospitality Health.
Alcohol coach David Carson – himself a hospitality industry veteran – is working with charity founder Gordon McIntyre MBE to offer staff help with alcohol issues, whether that be support for the remainder of Dry January, moderation, a tactical break or a longer-term removal of alcohol.
Carson has over 26 years’ experience in hospitality – and consumed alcohol for 24 of them. His coaching is described as ‘solution focused and forward thinking’, highlighting the positives and gains from taking a break as well as some learning around the subject.
Crucially, his service though Hospitality Health is confidential and free to anyone in the industry.
McIntyre said that hospitality staff accessing the free coaching could be assured that David had the background and lived experience to speak to them directly about the industry workforce’s relationship with alcohol.
“David used alcohol to mask the stress and anxiety that comes with a leadership role, to switch off, to get to sleep etc etc – not realising that it was exacerbating the situation,” said McIntyre.
“Ditching the booze rid him of the anxiety and a lot of the stress, improved his sleep and gave him the energy and time to find other ways to switch off.”
Carson’s coaching framework can also support staff in preventing burnout and the ‘feeling of being overwhelmed’.
“Management, both FOH and kitchen, can be a lonely place at times where you can’t speak to those above or below about certain topics,” said McIntyre. “If you fall into this category then feel free to get in touch about that also.”
Enquiries about the free alcohol coaching can be made privately via an email to david@hospitalityhealth.org.uk or by messaging Gordon McIntyre on Linked-in.
