Through local charity outreach with The CRUMBS Project, THE PIG-on the beach boutique hotel and restaurant in Dorset has raised over £12,000 to support vital work empowering disadvantaged adults with the skills they need to succeed.
First originating in Brockenhurst in the heart of the New Forest, THE PIG is a collection of 9 food-forward hotels (plus one Village Pub) across central and southern England. In Dorset, THE PIG-on the beach has become a modern icon along the Jurassic Coast, celebrated for its laid-back luxury, kitchen-garden dining and stunning sea views. Each PIG location has a dedicated, local partner to help make a positive impact in the communities they are rooted in. Since the start of 2025, THE PIG-on the beach has partnered with The CRUMBS Project as its local partner.
Through hospitality-based training and development programmes, the Bournemouth-based charity works to directly address the social and economic disadvantages experienced by adults with disabilities or neurodivergences, who make up around 20% of the working age population but suffer from an employment gap of 27.9 percentage points*.
Offering structured training and support tailored to each individual’s needs has been proven to be a successful model with over 90% of The CRUMBS Project’s trainees gaining employment in the hospitality industry in Dorset at the end of their training. This resonates strongly with THE PIG team, as they are passionate about learning and developing through the hospitality industry.
As part of THE PIG’s commitment to delivering societal and environmental benefits, each team member has up to three paid volunteering days per year, enabling them to give their time to assist charities and support their local areas.
Through this programme, team members from THE PIG-on the beach’s restaurant volunteer their time to support Showcase Meal events and Cookery Masterclasses at The CRUMBS Project’s training centre in Bournemouth.
Another way THE PIG-on the beach is supporting The CRUMBS Project is through a voluntary £1 donation scheme. Restaurant guests are invited to add £1 to their bill, a small amount which really adds up. Since the partnership first began, THE PIG colleagues and customers have raised over £12,000 to support The CRUMBS Project’s vital work, while also helping to raise awareness of the charity’s purpose and mission. This unrestricted funding is essential in enabling The CRUMBS Project to address priorities, plan strategically, and maximize its impact.
Alex, who is 27 and has Down’s syndrome, is an example of someone who has directly benefited. Despite his warm, friendly nature, people often notice his disability and difficulty communicating verbally before recognising his interests and abilities. Joining The CRUMBS Project has enabled Alex to develop his professional, digital, and life-skills. He has gained a Certificate in Basic Kitchen and Customer Service Skills, accredited by the Craft Guild of Chefs and endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality. Earlier in 2025, Alex achieved Level 2 in Food Safety & Hygiene accreditation, his first professional qualification, and started regular voluntary employment at a café in Dorset.
Commenting on what this means to him, Alex said: “Me grown up. I am a man now. I speak louder, and tell people what I need. Work makes me happy! I am like everybody else. I feel needed.”
By partnering with The CRUMBS Project and genuinely believing in their mission, THE PIG-on the beach’s team are directly contributing to this success and to making a difference in the lives of individuals like Alex. They are able to support the cause in the most effective ways – not only through financial contributions, but also by offering their time, skills, influence, and voice.
Who THE PIGs are: THE PIGs are a bunch of laid-back hotels where the restaurant is at the heart of the house, tucked away in some of the most stunning corners of the British countryside and coast. From seriously good local food and knock-out drinks to cosy bedrooms and unmissable experiences, every visit invites you to settle in and slow down. Perched on a cliff above Studland Bay on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, THE PIG-on the beach is a mellow yellow hotel with sweeping sea views. Expect Kitchen Garden food, roaring log fires, gargoyles and a path that leads to golden sands and salty air.
The PIG Hotel
*https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7540
