Strong Voices

Georgie Loft and Chris Goode are relishing new roles in Christchurch hotels.

Twenty-three-year-old Chris is about to begin an internship in the busy kitchen of Sudima Christchurch City where he’ll be working as a kitchen assistant. Thirty-one-year-old Georgie finished her internship at Sudima Christchurch Airport last year only to be immediately offered a job as a room attendant.  

Georgie and Chris are both participants in the Open Doors Internship Programme, a partnership between Hind Management Group, Choices NZ and the Recreate NZ charitable trust,. The programme provides a structured six-week internship with Sudima Hotels for people with disabilities.

For the interns it’s a chance to bring their existing skills to a real hospitality environment and gain hands-on experience. It’s also an opportunity to build transferable skills and explore career pathways that interest them.

“Open Doors internships bring fresh perspectives, and genuine heart into our hotels,” says Christine Hurring, Director of People and Culture for Hind Management/Sudima Hotels. “You uncover people who are committed, capable and deeply proud of the work they do. This makes us a stronger, diverse and more resilient business.”

The kaupapa behind Open Doors is one of inclusivity. “We want (Open Doors) to simply be part of how we do business,” says Christine. “Not something special or separate.”

The programme means the interns get to go through the full recruitment and employment process.

The many and varied working parts that make up a hotel, from customer service to front desk, hotel maintenance, food and beverage, administration, housekeeping and more, make it an ideal environment for the programme.

Georgie’s journey began with a six-week internship as part of the housekeeping team. Her enthusiasm, reliability and genuine willingness to help were quickly noticed. Before long, it was clear Georgie wasn’t just fitting in – she was making the team better.

“Our teams become more patient, more supportive and more connected,” says Christine. “You see empathy and kindness show up in everyday moments and that’s exactly the kind of workplace we want.”

Georgie’s workday starts early – at 7:30am – when she prepares hotel rooms for the housekeeping team so they can work faster and more efficiently. She gets into the rooms first, strips the beds, puts on pillowcases and collects all the used towels and laundry. By the time the rest of the housekeeping arrives, everything is ready to go.

“The other room attendants absolutely love it when they go into the room and the beds are already stripped for them,” says Georgie. “I’m really fast too.”

That appreciation runs deep. At Christmas, Georgie’s co-workers even gifted her a watch – after quietly checking what her favourite colour was.

Like Georgie, Chris’ workday will also start early. He’ll be required in the busy kitchen of the inner-city Sudima Christchurch City hotel at 8am. A self-described ‘foodie’ Chris is looking forward to being in his element.

Kitchen work isn’t new to Chris. He’s previously worked at Burwood Hospital through the former Project Search programme and at Hell Pizza where he impressed staff with his memory, and where he’d been so good at making pizza dough, they asked him back for their busiest shifts.

Chris’ new workplace is a high-producing kitchen that prepares food from nine different menus, but this doesn’t faze Chris. “I like food preparation and being able to help,” he says.

The kitchen staff are reportedly excited to have Chris because of his extensive experience.

For Sudima Hotels, the Open Doors programme is just the beginning.

“The future is about continuing to remove barriers, create meaningful opportunities and making sure our hotels reflect the community they serve,” says Christine.

For Georgie and Chris, when the early alarm goes off it’s a reminder that they both have somewhere they need to be where they’re essential and valued parts of a team.

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Image: Georgie Loft at work.