Only a Pavement Away charity launches new initiative in response to homelessness on London streets

Parachute
Regiment
Lodge
9315

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?

One of the oldest secular social and charitable organisations in the world, modern Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our castles and cathedrals…

The lodge has held several social events such as witnessing the Tower of London Keys ceremony a lady’s festival at a hotel usually outside of London that provides opportunity for our families to enjoy the company that these types of events provide. Importantly we maintain links with the regiment and serving soldiers.

EVENTS

Delve into the rich traditions of Freemasonry as we gather to celebrate our shared values and principles

WHERE WE MEET

Our meetings are held on the 1st Saturday of March, June, September and December, at 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ. they usually start at 11am thus providing members ample time to travel to London to join the meetings. The June meeting is the installation meeting.

ABOUT

The Parachute Regiment Lodge was consecrated on 5th June 1989. Though named for our Regiment the decision was taken not to restrict membership to serving or former members, though the majority do fit that criteria. Our membership is drawn from a wide range of military, security and civilian backgrounds who all adopt our ethos, to be the best in all that we do…

ARENA

Engage in enlightening discussions, partake in meaningful rituals, and forge lasting connections with fellow brethren

Only a Pavement Away charity launches new initiative in response to homelessness on London streets.

London Homeless charity Only a Pavement Away, has been awarded a grant of £50,000 from London Freemasons in support of their new initiative to provide essential life skills to people facing or experiencing homelessness in London.

The Only A Pavement Away Life skills hub will be a centre to train those being rehoused and reemployed on how to live independently, whilst developing their employability skills and giving them the tools they need to get back on their feet.

The initial five three-week courses will see participants receiving a qualification to take them forward to access NVQ level 1 and 2 certificates. Participants will also learn the practical benefits of cooking for oneself, training in the production of menus, presentation of dishes by celebrity and professional chefs including OAPA ambassador Tom Aikens, CV writing, interview skills and use of IT, budgeting and access to the OAPA jobs board.

Greg Mangham, Founder of Only a Pavement Away, said, “Not only are we looking to get vulnerable groups into employment, more importantly, the OAPA Life Skills Hub which has been generously supported by the London Masons, will allow participants to adopt crucial life skills such as budgeting and interview preparation, that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to develop. We want to give homeless people more than a way out of homelessness, but a way into long-term, progressive careers, ensuring they can re-gain stability without falling back into homelessness. It’s vital that we continue to remember that hospitality is the community.”

The grant from London Masons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, from across England and Wales.

London Masons Charity Steward Tony Shields commented: We are very happy to assist “Only A Pavement Away” with this grant in support of a life skills hub for some of our most vulnerable residents. Freemasons donated £1 million between April and July to help those impacted by the Covid-19 crisis, and are now focusing on protecting the homeless, with a new series of donations across England and Wales. The homeless crisis has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many people losing their jobs and finding themselves either living on the streets or in unsuitable living conditions.

This grant follows on from a recent £2.5 Million to fund two ultra-high aerial platforms, six rapid response vehicles and four bariatric stretchers and earlier generous donations of £3 million to Bart’s hospital for the purchase of a Cyberknife and £2 million donation towards the second London Air Ambulance, all of which contribute to saving lives right across this great capital city.”