Only A Pavement Away secures employment for 500 people

A UK charity that supports vulnerable people facing homelessness has placed 500 people into work across the hospitality sector since 2018. 

Only A Pavement Away calculates that the impact of those placements has added £25.6m to the British economy through reduced government support needed for those who are successfully placed, as well as financial independence and increased household expenditure. 

This marks an impressive milestone for the charity, which connects forward-thinking employers in hospitality with individuals facing homelessness, who are looking to rebuild their lives through a career in the sector. 

Changing perceptions

The charity, established by Greg and Gill Mangham on World Homelessness Day in 2018, provides support and resources to those experiencing barriers to employment, covering everything from training and development to financial grants to help them secure a job. Since it started, the charity has supported over 1,800 candidates at recruitment fairs and workshops. It has so far supplied £50,000 in grants to help with everyday necessities such as shopping, travel fares, clothing and rent.

Recent figures from the charity have uncovered a strong retention rate, with 60% of members remaining in employment for more than a year, higher than the average tenure of a hospitality professional. The average length of service for a successful placement is 53 weeks.

Only A Pavement Away aims to change the perceptions of 'typical' candidate profiles, connecting their employment partners with hard-working individuals. The charity recently expanded its operations into Manchester and Scotland, taking its cause UK-wide and helping more people reintegrate back into society. 

Ben, Only A Pavement Away member who is now a commis chef, comments: "Only A Pavement Away has been incredible both in setting up and guiding me through the process of starting my new job and with support once I'd begun working again. They've checked in and made sure I'm doing okay and helped with making the transition back into employment achievable., I've no concerns about reaching out and have truly enjoyed my time with them."

Greg Mangham adds: "As our number of members is growing, so is awareness of our mission, which is vital in continuing to help people facing homelessness into stable workplaces, and, in turn, create happier, safer lives. We want to thank everyone who has made this possible – from referral charities to our employer partners – who make it possible for us to have this positive impact on these communities."

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