A Newcastle bakery has teamed up with Bernicia to help unemployed people rise to the challenge of finding work, baking in new skills and self-confidence.
Ten budding bakers are learning the art of making bread and pastries from the experts in the kitchens of the Big River Bakery in Shieldfield on the ‘One Loaf at a Time’ course.
Bernicia is funding the free ten-week programme supporting tenants and people form local communities gain new skills to help find employment.
Baking cheese and fruit scones was first on the menu for the students at the community business, which employs 17 people, gaining a national reputation for supporting those less fortunate through its free food/pay as you feel days and giving surplus food away free to those who need it.
Course student Paige Geddes, 20, is overcoming anxiety to commute on a 130-mile round trip twice a week from Berwick to attend the sessions led by the Big River Bakery team.
She hopes that passing the course and gaining a qualification at the end of if it will help her launch her own bakery business.
“I wanted to do catering from home but I can’t do that without my Level Two qualification,” said Paige, a Bernicia tenant.
“So when I found out Bernicia had the course on here, I travelled all the way from Berwick to attend. I suffer from anxiety and it’s lifted my anxiety, once I get into the kitchen it’s been okay.”
Gail Lawler, Big River Bakery Director, said: “I get a real buzz out of listening to people on the course – it’s not just about getting a job but about their whole life.
“I want people to do well and live their best life – hopefully they will and this will be the start of that journey for them.”
The ‘One Loaf at a Time’ programme is part of Bernicia’s employability strategy to help tenants and people living in local communities find work, volunteering opportunities or access further education.
Elaine Hardington, Bernicia Employability Business Partner, said: “The students will learn baking skills, they’ll gain food hygiene and related qualifications and gain confidence and support with their next steps.
“You could see just from day one that their confidence has gone through the roof. Some people might use the course to go into baking, catering or hospitality, while some might use it as a stepping stone down another career path.”
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