Newcastle food-on-the-go chain Greggs is teaming up with a national charity to offer jobs to people at risk of homelessness.
The company has signed a partnership with Only A Pavement Away to bring people into employment and help them rebuild their lives.
The project, which has been announced to mark the start of National Inclusion Week, builds on other schemes that Greggs runs to help groups including former prisoners, refugees and people with disabilities to find work.
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It also links with the Greggs Pledge, a 10-point plan released by the company earlier this year that outlines what the company aims to do to change the world for the better.
Only A Pavement Away is a charity that supports employment of people facing homelessness by offering careers in the hospitality sector. By 2024 the charity aims to create more than 700 jobs for people facing homelessness, as well as prison leavers and veterans.
Roisin Currie, people and retail director at Greggs, said: “Diversity and inclusivity is a hugely important part of our values at Greggs, both as a business and a much-loved brand. We want to ensure that we do our part in supporting this and are delighted to announce our new partnership with Only A Pavement Away which will enable us to provide further support to people facing homelessness and those in need.
“We’ve a long-standing history of working with people from disadvantaged backgrounds. At Greggs, we believe that by not overlooking any potential employees because of their past, we can select the right person and develop them to their full potential.
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“The passion and energy for work that comes from people who are given an opportunity to kick-start their careers, or to turn their lives around is clear for all to see and as a business, we feel extremely motivated to do all we can to give these people a fresh start.”
Greg Mangham, chief executive at Only A Pavement Away, said: “I am delighted that Greggs have decided to become an employer partner with us.
“This is another great step forward for Only A Pavement Away as the Greggs’ culture and ethos in helping people rebuild their lives mirrors our own beliefs and strategy. Yet another pathway open to our members in a company that puts its team first.”
The Greggs Pledge includes a plan to improve the diversity of its staff, saying that it wanted to ensure “there are no barriers that might stop anyone from growing a successful career with us.”