Fat Macy's Milestone Programme

Fat Macy's

We create life-changing impact for our trainees, who are typically between the ages of 18 to 35, living in temporary accommodation, and have first-hand experience of homelessness and the benefits system. We work with people from a range of different backgrounds, nationalities, and religions - homelessness has many faces. We provide a 200-hour work experience programme coupled with 1:1 tailored and holistic support. Our trainees volunteer their time in our sister social enterprise restaurant, Sohaila, where they gain valuable work skills and experience, and build confidence alongside our professional chefs and front-of-house teams. By volunteering with us, trainees don’t have their benefits cut and the Sohaila business profits provide a separate fund, used to create a housing deposit scheme for each trainee to save securely for their future homes. Our tailored Support Curriculum works with trainees on key areas that they have identified for themselves, and continues for up to two years after a trainee has moved into their own home. We want to ensure our graduates are living in more secure housing, are happier and healthier, with meaningful employment and/or training, and ultimately have a reduced risk of returning to the cycle of homelessness.