On Wednesday, 9 March 2016, Dans
le Noir? the celebrated dining in the dark restaurant staffed by blind people,
and the youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, will be collaborating to host a
gastronomic dinner.
The dinner will be held for Centrepoint’s
vulnerable 16-25 year-olds to celebrate Dans
le Noir?’s 10th Anniversary and decade of successful
charitable ventures.
Homeless young people will experience heightened flavours by
enjoying a gastro dinner in the dark. The menu at Dans le
Noir? has evolved over
the past 10 years and in November 2015, Michelin star chef, Julien Machet, was
hired to consult and help John Houel, the London Head Chef, create the four
eclectic menus. Chef Julien will be present to assist with the creation of this
spectacular dinner.
Dans le Noir? and Centrepoint support those furthest from
the jobline to help them get into work. The two companies are joining forces to
maximise awareness of the difficulties that blind, and homeless young people,
face when trying to get into employment.
Dining in the dark challenges people’s preconceptions of
other people. Mind-blowing Gov.uk statistics estimate that 16% of
working age adults are disabled. Recent statistics show that only 46.3% of
disabled people are in employment compared to 76.4% of non-disabled people,
making it a significant social issue. Additionally, disabled people are
significantly more likely to experience unfair treatment in work.
Caroline
Pidgeon, Lib Dem London Mayoral Candidate 2016, says:
"Given that the level of homelessness in London has - sadly
- grown over the past 4 years, it’s fantastic to see initiatives like this
from Dans le Noir? aimed at helping young homeless people. I would encourage other employers across
London to explore if they could help develop schemes like this which offer a
route to support people in furthering their skills through training and
employment and a way in to permanent housing."
Shahrar Ali, No 3 on
the Green Party London Assembly, says: "One of the remarkable things about Dans le Noir? is
that it turns the tables on the sighted, who are rendered virtually helpless by
the blackout conditions and are entirely dependent on blind people to guide
them. It’s a great experience for diners but by creating these rare conditions
where blind people are better off, it also brings home just how hard it can be
to find work if you have any kind of disadvantage. That’s something that young
homeless people also know all about, and this is a fantastic joint initiative
by Dans le Noir? and Centrepoint to draw attention to those difficulties. It’s
my privilege to be a part of it and to find out what practical things I can do
to help if I’m elected to City Hall in May."
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb, Green Party, says: “I
commend the work of Dans le Noir? and the way they have helped blind people to
gain employment; and with so many homeless people on the streets it would be
wonderful if more companies could support those who are furthest from the
job-line to help them to get back into employment.”
Edouard
de Broglie, who founded Dans le Noir? in Paris
in 2004, says “50%
of our staff have a high disability, yet we still operate an efficient and
profitable company. We have an incredibly low staff turnover which shows the
dedication of our long standing team. We want to show big companies that those
with disabilities shouldn’t be limited to performing only menial jobs. Our
guides are incredibly skilled and challenge the perception that blind or
visually impaired can serve in a restaurant. Who could have said that 10 years
ago?”.
Sadie Odeogberin, Head of Skills and Employment, at Centrepoint, says: “The number of young people rough sleeping in London has more than
doubled in the last four years, but providing a safe place to stay isn’t enough
to solve the youth homelessness crisis. That’s why Centrepoint supports each young
person staying with us to find a job or a route into education or training.
Like Dans Le Noir?, we’re committed to helping those furthest from the world of
work achieve their ambitions. It’s not an easy journey for a homeless young
person to make and thanks to the generosity of Dans Le Noir?, we can reward
them an experience they will never have had before. Homeless young people are
every bit as talented as their peers and with the right support and hard work
they can fulfil their potential.”
