The training cafés will be open to the public and will allow those helped by the charity to receive on-the-job training. People will receive a salary for their roles and the intention is that they would secure permanent employment with an Only A Pavement Away employer partner during their time at the café.
The goal is to have an Only A Pavement Away Employment Training Café in ten major cities across the UK by the end of the year, helping the charity to reach its target of placing 250 people into work within the hospitality industry in 2022.
Greg Mangham, founder of Only A Pavement Away, said: “This is a truly exciting start to 2022 for Only A Pavement Away and the people that we support. Our cafes will provide valuable training and employment opportunities for our members and will raise greater awareness of the role we play working in partnership with likeminded charities to place those facing homelessness, prison leavers and veterans into careers within the hospitality industry.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic Only A Pavement Away helped to co-ordinate the distribution of over £1.6m worth of donated food and drink from the hospitality industry to those in need.