This week, Be Enriched had the pleasure of sitting down with Maria from Only A Pavement Away to discuss their mission, impactful work, and the ways our organisations have collaborated to support communities.
Be Enriched and Only A Pavement Away have united to share the love (and food!) within communities, emphasising the importance of collaboration in the third sector. In our conversation, we say a big thank you to Only A Pavement Away who volunteered their time and donated over 200 soups to our Community Canteens.
Only A Pavement Away has just recently hit a major milestone of placing 500 people into employment! "Only A Pavement Away is a charity that rebuilds lives through employment," Maria shared. "We help people who face barriers to employment, at risk of homelessness, prison leavers, and veterans by finding stable jobs in the hospitality sector."
The partnership between Only A Pavement Away and Be Enriched began the old-fashioned way, through word of mouth after someone from Only A Pavement Away volunteered at our Community Canteen. We found a shared vision of community support and transformation, and Only A Pavement Away not only donated their time but also volunteered 200 soups to our canteens.
On the benefits of teaming up Maria said:
"The main thing is the impact that our help and partnership had. The food donations reaching the community and through volunteering, us helping and being useful for those hours I think was most important. It really does open everyone's eyes, and it does feel very rewarding."
Fill a Flask Campaign
"Our Fill a Flask Summer campaign involves hospitality operators volunteering and donating 1,000 reusable thermal flasks to local homeless charities," Maria explained.
At Be Enriched, we always say our work is about ‘more than food’. In the same way, Maria talks about how the Fill a Flask Campaign is about more than giving out free flasks; it’s about taking the time to have meaningful interactions.
"People were able to give out the flasks but also have conversations and give them a bit of company, helping with social isolation," Maria noted. This initiative, in partnership with Punch Pubs, who donated 5,000 soups, meant that 200 soups were able to be donated to Be Enriched and dished out at our canteens. Working together with organisations in this way means we are all able to widen our reach and provide support to multiple communities.
Only A Pavement Away is not just about putting people into any kind of employment, ticking boxes, or claiming big numbers for the sake of it. "We focus on helping people be ready to find a job and stay in that job. We also provide financial help if necessary, for transport, furniture, clothes for work or interviews, or even a bike for transport." This comprehensive support ensures individuals are prepared for employment and can sustain their new roles, ultimately achieving independence.
Future Plans and Vision
Only A Pavement Away has set ambitious goals for the future. "We've just reached our major milestone of placing 500 people into work," Maria proudly shared. "Over the next five years, we aim to touch the lives of 9,000 people, finding jobs and supporting them to sustain themselves." Their focus remains on quality over quantity, providing personalised support to ensure each individual is truly ready for employment.
Looking Forward
Be Enriched hopes to continue to work with Only A Pavement Away by signposting their services to our communities and offering their partners volunteering opportunities in our canteens. Maria highlighted the importance of community involvement: "It's very important to get the word out there because the more people that know about us and support us, the more members we can have to support into employment."
The partnership between Be Enriched and Only A Pavement Away has just begun! By combining our strengths, our organisations are not only providing immediate relief but also paving the way for long-term change. Together, we are building a brighter, more inclusive future, one meal and one job at a time.
To support Only A Pavement Away, head to their website to hear about future events and campaigns that play a crucial role in raising awareness and engaging businesses and individuals alike. You can also donate through their website and join their mission to transform lives.
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