The Drinks Trust has launched The Drinks Community, an interactive platform dedicated to creating connection and opportunity for drinks professionals.
The platform has been in beta-launch for four weeks and has already seen over 700 professionals in the UK drinks industry sign up as members.
It is aimed at providing a space for the UK drinks industry to share knowledge on work and wellbeing and raise sector-specific questions.
It’s hoped the Drinks Community will pull the drinks industry together to support one another, aiding the recovery post-Covid-19.
The site will include inspirational pieces written by industry professionals, forums for relevant topics that featuring expert panellists, How Tos, CV tips, career advice and videos from industry professionals.
It will also be a home to The Drinks Trust’s wellbeing and hardship services.
Ross Carter, chief executive, said: “The Drinks Community will be the voice of drinks people, from the point of production to the point of sale. Together, we will create, curate and share the most relevant and exciting resources that will help grow careers and connect more people across our vibrant industry.
“We will offer the services and opportunities that will help our people become more skilled, ultimately making our sector stronger, smarter, more connected, more resilient and more diverse. First and foremost, The Drinks Community will exist to deliver on a genuine need within the drinks industry, particularly now, at a time when community will be central to the recovery of the drinks and hospitality sectors."
As part of the Drinks Community programme, a Founding Committee has been brought together. This group will guide the programme, offering their expertise, insight and advice to "ensure that the content captures the zeitgeist and builds a community that supports all its members in moving forward".
The Founding Committee members are Amber Gardner (NoMad), Declan McGurk (The Boatyard Distillery), Freddie Cobb (Vagabond Wines), Harriet Kininmonth (Enotria&Coe), Imran Choudhury (Bibendum), Isabelle Gormezano Marks (Small Beer Brew Co), Jacine Rutasikwa (Matugga Distillers), Valerie Lewis (New Generation Wines), Sylvia Oates (Best Bar None) and Tom Surgey (Three Wine Men, Glass Half Full).
To contribute, email Drinks Community manager Millie Milliken.
The Drinks Community will give members the chance to be a regular donator to The Drinks Trust as a way to fund the initiative. Membership levels will comprise Free Membership, £5 and £10 monthly donations.
The Drinks Trust has also launched the Drinks Community Mentor Programme and is calling for applicants for both mentors and mentees on a rolling basis, with the next round of the programme launching June 2021.