Only A Pavement Away

ONLY A PAVEMENT AWAY is a charity founded by representatives from the hospitality industry who believe that everyone deserves the chance to find and forge a career.

Our aim is to connect forward-thinking hospitality employers with charities working with people facing homelessness, prison leavers and veterans and, who are struggling to get into work, into new careers within the hospitality, pub and restaurant industry. Our industry is an exciting one, built on people.

Only A Pavement Away helps people who are facing or are at risk of homelessness by:

  • Offering career opportunities within the hospitality industry.
  • Facilitating training and development programmes, creating capability for work.
  • Offering financial support to overcome the barriers to employment including support with rent and other costs which may hinder stability.

Outside of the moral benefits, the project is underpinned by a strong commercial and financial benefit to the hospitality, pub & restaurant industry whilst reducing the ever-increasing strain on government funding required for those who find themselves in such extreme and vulnerable circumstances.

To date, we have helped placed 250 Members into work adding c£5 million to the economy.

Our vision 2022-2026

  • We wish to operate in every major city across the UK by mid-2024.
  • Place 1000 Members into work by mid-2024. Total potential pool 50k or 12.5% (378k) of total homeless & prison leavers pa (2% of total potential Member pool).
  • Escalate to 2500 Members by the end of 2025 & 5000 by the end of 2026. (5% & 10% of total potential Member pool).
  • Database of 200+ active employers. (125 on board as at 2022)
  • Database of 150 active charities. (105 on board as at 2022)
  • Operate in all 68 hospitality focused prisons.
  • Extend the prison Sponsor a Kitchen* (see How it Works below) project from 2 in 2022 to 15 by mid-2024.
  • Increase fundraising income to enable deployment of a team of 21 by end of 2023 at a cost of £878k inc all costs.
  • Recognition as the industry charity for the placement of anyone facing or at risk of homelessness into careers in hospitality.
  • Continue to expand and develop campaigns & events to enhance brand awareness.
  • Set up a centralised training academy in preparation for employment.

The funds raised by the charity are used to support those returning to work, supplement the resources required by the charities/associations to manage the project and, promote the jobs available in the hospitality sector - 85p of every £1 donated goes to supporting our Members.

Useful links:
Main website: https://www.onlyapavementaway.co.uk
Fundraising for us – tips & ideas: https://onlyapavementaway.co.uk/get-involved/fundraise
Link to video (Only A Pavement Away About Us): https://youtu.be/t6CHI2lk_zw