Only A Pavement Away to bridge sick pay gap for members

Hospitality industry charity Only A Pavement Away, which supports the homeless, ex- offenders, and vulnerable veterans with jobs in hospitality, has committed funding to ensure its members don’t fall back into destitution in light of growing concerns over Covid-19.

The charity is diverting existing cash and also seeking fresh funding from supporters to help any member workers forced to self-isolate in the wake of coronavirus – and therefore reliant on statutory sick pay of just £94.25 per week – or any that may face redundancy.

The charity is looking for support from society, associated organisations and philanthropists, calling on them to come forward and support its members.

Only A Pavement Away founder Greg Mangham said: “In light of the present situation, it will be almost inevitable that one of our members will have to self-isolate and may only receive a very small amount of sick pay. Or they may be at a venue forced to shut. This could well act as the catalyst that pushes them back into destitution, the streets, and/or crime.

“We’re very mindful that the current turmoil could spark significant job losses and we’re determined to support any members facing this. We need to keep people in work and we urge anyone who can, where possible, to support this effort and to make a donation be it large or small, to help those in our communities. We’re looking at this with the focus on the people and the communities that hospitality serves. This is yet another opportunity for charity and hospitality to come together – let’s take it.”

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