Big Issue Invest sparks job hopes for homeless with £200k investment in PwC’s social enterprise fire station

Social investor Big Issue Invest (BII) has collaborated with professional services firm PwC in a project to support new training and employment opportunities for people at risk of homelessness.

The two organisations have partnered with De Vere Venues, The Beyond Food Foundation and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), as part of a total £1.4m funding package for the fit-out and working capital for The Brigade restaurant in London.

The Brigade is part of an innovative plan by PwC to develop the historic Fire Station on Tooley Street, near London Bridge, into a thriving social enterprise hub.

The Grade II building, built in the late 1870s, houses the Brigade bar and bistro, flexible space for private dining, events and training, a medical centre, as well as office space for social enterprises such as the School for Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprise UK.

The Brigade bistro, bar and private dining/events space is being managed by De Vere Venues who, together with Beyond Food Foundation, will deliver a holistic ‘United Kitchen’ apprenticeship programme, a six-month programme that offers people who have been at risk of or experienced homelessness the opportunity to study towards an NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery.

They also work two days per week in the kitchen at Brigade with the aim that following the programme they can seek full time employment.

Nigel Kershaw, CEO of Big Issue Invest, which has provided a faciliy of £200,000 for the project, said: “This is a great social enterprise that really resonates with Big Issue Invest’s mission to find sustainable business solutions that dismantle poverty. The Beyond Food Foundation, who will deliver the training, is also talking with local housing associations and Jobcentre Plus to offer the opportunity to people at risk of homelessness to train their way into employment and prevent them from ending up on the street.”

Richard Collier-Keywood, managing partner, PwC, said: “We wanted to create a centre for social enterprise innovation, combining private, public and third sector expertise, and a flagship for business and social enterprise partnering. The parties we’ve brought together bring that to life.”

Simon Boyle, chef founder of Beyond Food Foundation and Brigade, said: “Financial and professional support like this is a catalyst for making real change happen for homeless people.”

Since opening in September, Beyond Food Foundation has enrolled 12 apprentices onto its training programme.