Volunteers’ Week 2025, spotlight on APEX Hotels
June 06, 2025 | Author Jeremy Gibson
Volunteers’ Week (2 - 8 June) is an opportunity to celebrate those who dedicate their time to serving others and inspire more people to make a difference.
At Hospitality Action (HA), our volunteers are the driving force behind what we do. We are proud to have a devoted team of corporate and individual volunteers who selflessly contribute to our work in countless ways.
One partner that goes above and beyond is APEX Hotels, who have made us their official charity partner this year. From volunteering at events and supporting with our regular Golden Friends newsletter mailings to stewarding and taking part in Walk for Wellbeing, their team consistently shows up to support our work and the hospitality community.
The total amount raised by APEX across the year, between Walk for Wellbeing, bake sales, bowling, raffles, Invisible Chips, and an additional match fund, is £11,825.40.
Why your business should partner with us.
We caught up with Michael Musgrave, who heads up the Apex Gives Back Charity Committee, to hear more about why they support HA and what corporate volunteering means to their business.
Q: Why did APEX choose HA as its official charity partner?
A: At APEX, hospitality is at the heart of everything we do, and HA’s mission resonates with us. Their work supporting people in the industry during times of crisis aligns closely with our values of care and community. Choosing HA as our official charity partner felt like a natural extension of what we stand for.
Q: How does corporate volunteering with HA align with your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals?
A: CSR at APEX is about creating real, lasting impact, not just ticking a box. Volunteering with HA allows our team to give back to their industry in a hands-on way. The team love getting together at the HA office to help prepare the Golden Friends newsletters for retired hospitality workers or volunteering at events. These experiences bring our CSR strategy to life and build a stronger, more connected workforce.
Q: What have been some highlights of your team’s volunteering journey with us?
A: There have been quite a few memorable moments! Taking part in the London Walk for Wellbeing in 2024 was particularly special; it brought our team together and helped raise mental health awareness in hospitality.
Q: What impact have you seen within your team from engaging in volunteer work?
A: Volunteering has really strengthened our team spirit. Our colleagues come away with a sense of pride and purpose. It’s also been a great way to connect with the wider industry and remind ourselves of the broader community we’re all part of.
Q: What would you say to other hospitality businesses considering corporate volunteering with HA?
A: Go for it! Working with HA has been incredibly rewarding for us, not just in terms of giving back - but in how it motivates and unites our team. It’s a chance to support the people who make hospitality what it is, and every contribution, big or small, really does make a difference.
Volunteer Spotlight: Lyndsey Nicholls.
One shining example of the impact of APEX’s volunteering is Front Office Manager Lyndsey Nicholls. When she heard about the opportunity to support HA as a Golden Friend Befriender, she was keen to get involved.
Our Golden Friends scheme provides an opportunity for eligible employees and retirees to stay connected and keep up-to-date with what’s happening around the charity and around the wider industry. A Golden Friend Befriender is a HA volunteer who is matched with a socially isolated person for recurring phone calls and meaningful conversation.
Lyndsey regularly speaks with her matched Golden Friend, Melanie. Their shared background in hospitality helped build an instant connection, but their chats have grown far beyond that. They’ve discovered unexpected common ground, and Lyndsey values the wisdom Melanie brings to their conversations - especially around team management and industry challenges.
“It is so interesting to hear about Melanie's experience of working in the hospitality industry and to get her take on the position the industry is in now. It is amazing how many things we have in common after topics just naturally come up in our chats.”
Their fortnightly conversations are something both enjoy. “I always look forward to our calls every other Monday at 2 pm,” Lyndsey added. “I feel a sense of pride knowing I’m making a positive impact on Melanie's life.”
For Lyndsey, volunteering is a natural extension of her commitment to service.
“The opportunity fuels my passion for the hospitality industry and highlights the timeless consistency of the basics of hospitality – looking after people.”
To learn more about our Corporate Partnerships and how your business can get involved, click here.
And to learn more about our Golden Friends Scheme, click here.
