From Homelessness to Hospitality
Eden’s story is a compelling example of how focused support, accessible training, and targeted outreach can empower individuals to break the cycle of hardship. With the support of The Ladder Foundation, Compass Group Foundation, and the Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance (MASA), Eden accessed a life-changing opportunity through the Xcelerate Your Future programme, marking the beginning of a promising hospitality career.
Background
At the age of 17, Eden became a mother. Over the following five years, she and her son experienced homelessness, living in shelters and mother-and-baby units across Birmingham. This period was marked by instability and isolation, with few opportunities for personal or professional growth.
It’s difficult when you’re moving from place to place… it’s hard to do anything other than be in survival mode.
Eden, Xcelerate Your Future Participant
Xcelerate Your Future
The Xcelerate Your Future programme is a three-week intensive training course developed by Compass Group Foundation and the Compass Skills and Early Careers Team. It is designed to provide practical hospitality training, accredited qualifications, and career-readiness for individuals facing significant barriers to employment.
Eden embraced the opportunity and excelled during the course. She took part in hands-on sessions in culinary skills, mixology, and barista training, experiencing the breadth of the hospitality sector and discovering her passion for drink service.
Impact
- Confidence Rebuilt – The programme helped Eden rebuild her self-esteem and self-belief after years of adversity.
- Professional Skills – She acquired practical training in hospitality, supported by accredited qualifications.
- Career Focus – With a clear ambition to become a bartender and eventually a skilled mixologist, Eden now has direction and a renewed sense of purpose.
Reaching Eden: The Role of MASA
To ensure Xcelerate Your Future reached individuals like Eden, The Ladder Foundation engaged the Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance (MASA). MASA was selected for its expertise in community engagement, particularly with underrepresented and hard-to-reach groups.
MASA led a targeted outreach strategy through a series of roadshow events across Birmingham, raising awareness and driving participation among those most in need.
Roadshow Engagement Locations:
- Muath Trust – A long-standing support hub for local families and marginalised groups.
- ISE Women’s Enterprise Hub – A centre empowering women through enterprise and training.
- Millennium Point – A modern educational venue at the heart of Birmingham’s innovation district.
- Soho House – The historic home of Matthew Boulton, now a museum that celebrates industrial innovation and social progress. Its use as a roadshow venue connected past innovation with present opportunity, inspiring attendees like Eden to imagine new possibilities.
Conclusion
Eden’s transformation from homelessness to hospitality professional exemplifies the importance of accessible, inclusive programmes like Xcelerate Your Future. Through coordinated outreach by MASA and the structured support provided by The Ladder Foundation and Compass Group, Eden gained more than just skills, she found confidence, direction, and a future to aspire to.