This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Speciality Brands backs employment charity
Spirits distributor Speciality Brands has partnered with UK hospitality employment charity Only a Pavement Away.
The charity supports people facing homelessness, prison leavers and veterans by helping to place them into careers within the hospitality industry.
Set up in 2018, Only a Pavement Away has already placed 220 members into work and is looking to help and support more than 1,000 people by 2027.
Chris Seale, Speciality Brands’ managing director said: “Only a Pavement Away’s mission has resonated immensely with us and we’re really proud that our involvement has already made a difference and will help getting vulnerable people into hospitality jobs.
“Only a Pavement Away is also part of the solution to the industry’s current staff shortage challenge. We want to thank all our customers who have made our partnership possible, and we encourage them to check out their story and get involved.”
Speciality Brands’ financial support has generated sufficient funds to enable the appointment of Will Andrews to the position of employment coach for the charity. His main objective will be to support new members on their employment journey.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Speciality Brands as one of our key supporters,” said Greg Mangham, CEO and founder of Only a Pavement Away. “Their donation has made a huge difference to us and enabled us to recruit a much-needed permanent member of the team.
“The employment coach’s role will be crucial in ensuring our members get the appropriate support to sustainable employment. The support from Speciality Brands not only in funding our new employment coach but in promoting the brand is so powerful in helping us help more of our members into work. A great example of how we see future strategic partnerships working.”
The partnership also includes a donation to the value of 10p per bottle sold to its customers in 2021-2022.
Additionally, members of the Speciality Brands team will also act as ambassadors by raising awareness with their customer base and volunteering in activities set up by the charity to further raise funds.
This month, 10 members of the team will take part in the charity’s summer Fill a Flask campaign, which aims to distribute re-usable thermal flasks to people forced to sleep on the street. The distribution is specifically targeted for the beginning of summer, a time when many rough sleepers need a cold drink.