Only a Pavement Away
2147. Greg Mangham
Greg Mangham, from Essex, has used his connections from over 50 years working in the hospitality industry to bring together leading corporations, such as Greene King pubs and the Ivy Collection, to offer full-time training and employment opportunities for homeless people through his charity ‘Only A Pavement Away’.
Greg and his wife Gill, were inspired to set up the charity after recognising an increasing number of homeless people, while the growing hospitality industry needed to employ more staff. In 2018, he established ‘Only A Pavement Away’, bringing together leading companies and partners in the hospitality industry, and partnering with charities working with people facing homelessness, to act as a conduit to employment through its bespoke free jobs board and training programme.
The charity completes a detailed assessment for each individual, taking people into work through an integrated process, including training courses and interview preparation, involving employers, and helping to provide 12 months of post-engagement support,
Since 2018, they have helped 405 members into work, expanded the programme to include prison leavers and vulnerable veterans, and are currently running a women in hospitality campaign and female mentorship programme ‘A Seat at the Table’ to support women into hospitality careers. The charity’s goal is to help place 1000 back into work by 2023.
In a personal letter to Greg, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“From your experience of more than 40 years in the hospitality industry, you know just how life-changing work placements can be. So it is fantastic how you have brought homeless charities together with corporate partners from across the hospitality industry to help hundreds of people to move into employment.
“Through your brilliant ‘A Seat at the Table’ campaign, I was inspired to hear how you are also championing the hospitality industry as an inclusive career option for women facing homelessness.”
Congratulating Greg on his award, Julia Lopez, Greg’s local MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, said:
“I am so pleased to congratulate Greg Mangham on his nomination for a Points of Light award, which is richly deserved. I had the pleasure of meeting with Greg in February and his dedication to helping those face homelessness, prison leavers and veterans into good, secure jobs was immediately clear. Rather than simply enjoying the fruits of a successful career in the hospitality sector, Greg has selflessly committed to putting all his experience and contacts to work to help others enjoy the same opportunities. While I hope that Greg will enjoy a moment to reflect on his successes, I know that he and the team will be busy preparing other programmes to help even more people into hospitality careers.”
Greg said:
“It’s a real honour to be recognised by the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award and join some really great people who have dedicated far more than I. The award is really a recognition for everyone throughout the hospitality industry who have made ‘Only A Pavement Away’ what it is today. We have now placed 405 Members into work adding £11.9 million to the economy whilst giving those people who have faced barriers in life a 2nd chance.”
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