A bus company in Kent is offering free transport for homeless people travelling to job interviews.
Sittingbourne-based Chalkwell is running the scheme as part of a new partnership with homelessness charity Porchlight.
It will provide free transport to and from job interviews for residents living in the charity’s hostels.
Jo Dawes, Porchlight director, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Chalkwell. At Porchlight, we know that getting a job can change someone’s life. It leads to stability, independence and is a key way out of future homelessness.
“But the people we support tell us that getting a job when you’ve been homeless can be really difficult. Chalkwell’s free travel offer brings them one step closer to getting a job.”
Porchlight runs 11 hostels across Kent and focuses on helping residents find employment or education. The charity’s projects include a supported accommodation scheme for young people aged 16 to 24 in Sittingbourne.
Jo said: “To have the backing of Chalkwell will be so important to these young people in particular. Without their support, many of the young people we help wouldn’t have enough money to get to an interview.”
Karen Lockyer, Chalkwell coach hire and tour sales manager, said: “Porchlight is now the second charity we are supporting in 2014 following our arrangement with Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance which has been ongoing since the beginning of the year.
“We are aware that through their hostels Porchlight are working very hard to assist the less fortunate who have fallen on hard times.
“For our part we hope free travel to job interviews will demonstrate our commitment to the local community.”
