World-famous Stokey bakery helps women overcome trauma
- Jenna Fansa
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
A small café and bakery on a side street in Stoke Newington is having a huge impact on women fleeing domestic abuse and exploitation.
Launched by Alice Williams to offer women being exploited a way out, Luminary Bakery on Allen Road has been transforming lives for the past 12 years – working with their charitable arm who offer casework support, the bakery provides work experience and work placements to help survivors of abuse overcome trauma and progress towards independence.
When they come to Luminary, women learn a new skill with an acclaimed bakery that boosts their chances of gaining employment. The charity and social enterprise support around 53 women each year and a lucky few go on to gain a six-month work placement in the bakery.
Managing Director Claire Hilton said: "Many of the women we support have lost everything – lots of them have post-traumatic stress. We offer a psychologically safe environment, our staff are trained in offering trauma focused interventions and they understand how traumatised people can react in certain situations. In another workplace, that lack of insight and support could lead to difficulties for the women and result in them falling out of the labour market but here they’re supported. We are a vital stepping stone into/back into the world of work.
“The term life-changing is used a lot here and for good reason. Often, when women first come to us, they’ll be stood in the corner, not knowing how to interact with people. Within a few weeks they’re taking charge, liaising with customers and it’s like they’ve been around here for years. They get their confidence back here.”
Luminary is world-renowned. Meghan Markle is one of their biggest fans and officially opened their training room in Camden. They catered recently for both the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences and won a Queen’s Award for their contribution towards social mobility.
Many of the families they support have had generations of worklessness- that stops when they come to work in the bakery. 76% go on to gain employment or to take part in education, training or volunteering after the programme.
Claire added: “Children are seeing their mums go to work – they’re seeing the benefit, not just in terms of income but also self-esteem.
“Some of the women we support have never worked – some have never been allowed to work. They come to us and not only do they learn about general workplace etiquette and employment rights, they learn about the impact their individual role has within the business and how important it is to do things well.
“Having a really premium product is so important because Luminary has such a good reputation for producing quality food - having that on a CV provides an additional step up and differentiator when it comes to job applications.”
Referred to the charity by refuges, housing associations, Women’s Aid and more, 79% of those supported by Luminary have experienced domestic abuse and 50% have experienced homelessness.
Claire joined the organisation three months ago and brings a wealth of experience supporting women affected by sexual & domestic abuse, advising local & central government and leading social enterprises that combine training, employment and growth.
She added: “I think lots of people walk past our café and bakery and have no idea of the impact we’re having. The best way to support us is to come in and buy our baked goods! I can heartily recommend our lemon and blueberry cakes or double chocolate chip cookies."
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