Hayley Cunningham

I currently work at YHA Borrowdale as the Bar Manager, I began my YHA England and Wales (YHA=Youth Hostel Association) career at 20 years old during one of my university Summers and loved it so much I fully committed to the hostel world once graduating from the University of Dundee in Scotland with my geography degree (2023). I spent three Summers and one Winter seasons at one of the YHAs top rated hostels, YHA Treyarnon Bay. This is a very busy beach side hostel in Cornwall, the UKs surfing capital, where I lived and worked with other team members and managers. I learnt on the job in a busy, demanding tourist spot all aspect of keeping a hostel running from front of house/ bar shifts, full hostel check out housekeeping shifts, kitchen/ pizza shack shifts and reception shifts opening and closing the hostel and working with our booking system face to face with guests. I also learnt the valuable skill of work life balance, all 30 staff lived on site in caravans and I spent the years building strong friendships through supporting each other during challenging shifts to cheering each other on out in the lineup (yeww party wave). After three years in Cornwall I moved to YHA Borrowdale in September 2024 where I became bar manager, Borrowdale is the mountain version of the beach hostel Treyarnon and won bunkhouse of the year 2025 (TGO awards). Over the past year in management I have learnt about the inner workings of the YHA as a business and charity and the importance of organisation in relation to a positive guest and team experience. I've completed many alcohol orders, counted and reported stocktake each month to head office, trained team members in different hostel roles, chatted with many lovely (and challenging) guests and covered other managers jobs such as completing the linen order when our housekeeping manager is on holiday. Both Treyarnon and Borrowdale are sports focussed hostels, the majority of guests are staying to enjoy the beauty of the surf and ocean (Treyarnon) or the mountainous landscapes of the Lake District (Borrowdale). Lapoint surf camps have continued to catch my attention over the years as a vibrant, fulfilling experience for customers and employees. I believe I have gained the experience in a very similar guest focussed environment to successfully and positively fulfil the role of camp manager at Lapoint Sri Lanka. Although I am on the younger end (23) for your preference for camp manager, I would feel confident in leading the Lapoint Sri Lanka team through peak season with compassion and the Lapoint initiatives at heart. I learnt all aspects of our hostel booking system ASSD on the job therefore would apply the same desire to learn to all the new aspects of the camp manager role. I am inspired by new places, people, culture and community therefore would feel fortunate to be a part of Lapoint Camps.

Beyond the YHA, I have worked part time in hospitality over the past 8 years in waitressing and bar work whilst at school and university. This very varied and interesting work has helped me develop high professional standards - and an awareness that a company's reputation depends on the customer experience, excellent communication skills and multi-tasking ability. I have proven success providing high-quality customer service both in fast-paced service environments and more laid back relaxed evening events. I really enjoy working as part of a team to a high standard and enjoy helping ensure guests big and small have the best time.

I'm hard working, upbeat and sporty.

Surfing: Began surfing in 2022, grew up on the beach in Scotland cold water swimming all year round, having always been a swimmer surfing is the best of both worlds !

Coastal rowing, Kayaking (Eastern Club Portobello, Edinburgh) - growing up right on the seafront, I love being out on the water in all weathers.

Water polo, Synchronised swimming - The Royal Commonwealth Pool and Portobello clubs

Aerial silks, ropes & static trapeze - All or Nothing Aerialists, Edinburgh (10 years)

Skiing and ski guiding - I am a trained volunteer ski guide for Scottish Visually Impaired Skiers (SVIS) at Hillend Ski Centre, Edinburgh