Hospitality jobs charity to launch on World Homeless Day

09-Oct-2018 - Last updated on 09-Oct-2018 at 13:47 GMT

Hospitality jobs: Charity Only A Pavement Away will officially launch on World Homeless Day (Wednesday 10 October 2018) with backing from the Government's homlessness minister. (Image: Stephen Sweeney, Geograph)

Related tags Homelessness Employment

Only A Pavement Away (OAPA) will act as a conduit between hospitality employers and homeless individuals, following its official launch on World Homeless Day (Wednesday 10 October 2018).

The charity was founded to help people on the streets or ‘sofa surfers’ to’ find employment in the sector.

It aims to see up to 500 homeless people employed within the trade in its first year.

It will act as a middle man between employers and support organisations for the homeless, ex-offenders and ex-service personnel.

Government plan

Minister for housing and homelessness Heather Wheeler will outline the charity’s contribution to the Government’s action plan for homelessness at a reception event held at the House of Commons.

The Government’s goal is to halve homelessness by 2022.

Some 4,751 people are estimated to be sleeping rough each night, according to figures from the national charity for single homeless people. Crisis also reported a 15% increase on the figure from 2016-2017.

OAPA said its scheme was a ‘win-win’ as the hospitality sector is faced with a deficit of employees and in need of 1.3m employees by 2024.

Full hospitality training is available to candidates on the programme, including a 12 month support package to help individuals’ confidence once they are qualified.

Roles on offer to OAPA beneficiaries will cover various jobs, such as chefs and kitchen staff, bar staff, cleaners and night porters, depending on the individual’s skill set.

The roles will either be full-time or part-time long-term positions as opposed to training or intern positions.

'Fresh start'

OAPA founder and chief executive Greg Mangham said: "Our mission is to help reintegrate people back into society through employment, giving individuals a fresh start, whether homeless, ex-military personnel or ex-offenders.

“We have an opportunity to nurture a partnership between those charities that manage and assist the vulnerable, with an industry that is looking to fill a wealth of roles and opportunities with people from all walks of life.

He added: “Our pilot schemes have been encouraging and we are excited to get things fully underway."

Pilot schemes were run with pubcos including Brewhouse & Kitchen and Young's.

Companies wishing to get involved or financially support the charity through donations are asked to register on the OAPA website.