The hub will train those being rehoused on how to live independently, whilst developing their employability skills and helping them get back on their feet. The employability skills include CV writing, interviewing and demonstrations from celebrity chefs of how to present dishes.
Each participant will receive an OAPA life skills course certificate, which can be provided to potential employers. Industry volunteers including chef and OAPA ambassador Tom Aikens will run the life skills programme.
Greg Mangham, founder of OAPA, said: “Not only are we looking to get vulnerable groups into employment, more importantly, the OAPA life skills hub will allow participants to adopt crucial life skills such as budgeting and interview preparation, that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to develop.
“We want to give homeless people more than a way out of homelessness, but a way into long-term, progressive careers, ensuring they can re-gain stability without falling back into homelessness. It’s vital that we continue to remember that hospitality is the community.”