Founded by Greg Mangham and supported by the Chrysalis Foundation; national social justice charity, Nacro; Dominic Headley Associates; and the Corbett Network, OAPA hopes to “create an effective conduit between hospitality employers and organisations supporting the homeless, ex-offenders and ex-service personnel.”
Mangham said: "Our mission is to help reintegrate people back into society through employment and giving individuals a fresh start - whether homeless, ex-military personnel or ex-offenders.
“With the support of the Ministry of Justice, our aim is to help prisoners gain work experience, confidence and capability prior to release, while developing a relationship with the potential future employer."
As such, the charity recently met with the offender employment team at the Ministry of Justice to discuss its strategy employing category C and D ex-prisoners.
Plans include working in prisons with offenders to establish industry-led training programmes, preparing them for work and increasing chances of gaining employment once released.
Officially launching at the House of Commons on World Homeless Day (10 October), OAPA is encouraging companies to get involved through on-going trials and charitable donations via: http://onlyapavementaway.co.uk/get-involved/.