Only A Pavement Away’s stated mission is ‘Stability through Employment,’ providing pathways for people facing homelessness into employment within the hospitality industry. OAPA achieves this through connecting forward thinking hospitality employers with charities supporting clients facing homelessness, and/or leaving prison, offering them career opportunities, training, and development. The Charity was set up in 2018 by Founder and voluntary CEO Greg Mangham, in recognition of the needs of homeless people experiencing unemployment, combined with the numbers of unfilled vacancies in the hospitality sector.
The charity plans to help 1,000 people find jobs by 2025 and reach 5,000 placements annually by 2030. So far, it has supported 720 individuals into hospitality roles, with an average employment duration of 70 weeks and over 60% staying more than a year. What’s Cooking recently talked to them about the impact of their Passport 2 Employment Programme.
Passport 2 Employment
The Cooks’ Charity awarded OAPA’s Passport 2 Employment Programme a £10,000 grant for 2024/25. This five-day programme, held at venues like the Hilton, Wolseley, and Strand Hotel, upskills candidates from all backgrounds with essential workplace skills and insights into leading hospitality brands. It offers a chance to secure employment and diversify employers’ talent pools. Hospitality partners provide venues free of charge, supporting both candidate development and employer recruitment.
The programme relies on a unique relationship, facilitated by OAPA, bringing employer partners together with charity referral agencies. OAPA’s L & D Manager ensures candidates are work ready, helps develop their CVs, and aids with travel. OAPA also helps alleviate barriers to access and confidence, connecting with peers and role models in a highly motivating and supportive environment.
The Programme
Passport 2 Employment is a five-day programme, held in central London hospitality venues, between 10am and 4pm. Travelcards are provided for the week, as is tea, coffee, and lunch when on programme. The average age is 35 and all will have experienced homelessness or be at risk of it; a quarter are prison leavers.
Workshops are a mix of employability & life skills, led by a Learning & Development Coach. The sessions include team building, confidence and self-promotion skills, interview practice, and understanding budgeting, as well as sessions led by the host employer, including venue tours, masterclasses, and a day of work experience. The programme concludes with a graduation ceremony.
All candidates can secure an interview, trial shift or job with the host site or other partners. Following the programme, candidates are supported with a transition into work, providing 1-2-1 support sessions at key points. There is also a separate bursary programme to alleviate barriers such as travel costs for the first week of work and work attire.
Outcomes
This project provides candidates with valuable connections, a focus on career goals, and the skills needed for hospitality jobs. Strong partnerships with dedicated hosts make the programme possible, with their teams—ranging from executive chefs to marketing directors—actively engaging with candidates.
The Cooks Charity Funding supported the delivery of four programmes at the following host employers: Hilton London Metropole, Double Tree Tower of London, The Conrad St James, and Brasserie Zedel.
Of the 32 attendees, 16 (50%) are now working in hospitality roles. From our August 2024 programme hosted at the Hilton Metropole all 6 candidates were offered jobs, being 100% employment rate for that programme.
Challenges
It is not all plain sailing and in the last year, our team have experienced several challenges with some attendees needing specialist support before they could be considered work ready. Our Learning and Development Team continue to communicate with the candidates and the charity partners before the programme to ensure that we prioritise attendees who are work ready and motivated to make the very best of the opportunity.
Ruth
After a prolonged period of unemployment, Ruth joined our Passport to Employment course in October 2024, determined to rebuild her confidence and re-enter the workforce. She excelled throughout the week, impressing Hilton staff so much during her work experience that the Head of F&B told her a job would be hers—if only there were a vacancy. Despite the setback, Ruth remained committed. She continued attending one-to-one sessions with our Learning & Development Manager, building her communication skills, and growing in self-belief. When invited to speak at our annual conference, she bravely shared her story as part of a panel and used the opportunity to connect with potential employers. One of those conversations led to an interview—and then a job—with De Vere, where she now works in the F&B department.
Tanvir
Tanvir began his journey with us through a series of one-to-one interview coaching sessions, where his meticulous preparation, strong values, and quiet confidence stood out at once. He later joined our Passport to Employment course in May 2025 at Brasserie Zédel, where he shone during his work experience shift. So much so, he was invited back for an interview the following week. At the interview, he shared heartfelt stories and a clear passion for hospitality — and secured a role as a waiter at one of London’s busiest brasseries. For Tanvir, this was not just a job; it was a return to the career he loves.
Tanvir said:
“I don’t have just a word to express my huge gratitude to the team …I had sent out at least 500 applications to various places before I was introduced to you and it was frustrating when I tried to enrol myself on various courses – but, nothing worked. Then, the best thing happened, I was approached by OAPA. You prepared me for interviews with genuine suggestions and direction. And now, I am a full-time waiter in Zedel. Everything happened so quickly which was impossible without you and your team. I needed a platform and your team provided it. Now, it is on me to go further and achieve the success I want to achieve. I really appreciate everything and wish you all the best.”
