How a London bakery is helping disadvantaged women rebuild their lives, one bake at a time
BAKING is like riding a bike – once you’ve learned, you never forget.
Pineapple upside down cake? Apple cobbler? They’re burned into the brain from domestic science lessons.
But what if you’ve never been shown how to whisk egg whites into stiff peaks, or don’t know your choux from your shortcrust?
For many women who walk through the door of Luminary Bakery, it can be a bit daunting. It’s quite often the first time they have ever baked, or had the facilities or headspace to give it a go.
Luminary is a charity and social enterprise that helps women back on their feet, with the assistance of National Lottery funding. Since the first draw in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £50billion for good causes in every corner of the UK.
The charity offers a two-year baking, employability and mentoring scheme based at its kitchen in Camden, London.
“The first thing we learn how to make is flapjack,” says Aysha Monica, Luminary’s head baking teacher. “It’s straightforward and gives trainees that little bit of confidence: ‘Oh, that’s pretty easy.’
“And then they try to make cakes, brownies and cookies. It’s different, but not impossible, and they start building up their skills.”
Of the 56 women who secure a place on the course each year, many may have experienced homelessness, domestic abuse or poverty created by factors out of their control.
But one step into the Luminary kitchen, which is modelled on the Great British Bake Off tent – the team are big fans – and they often never look back.
You could see such a change in their confidence, in themselves and in what they could create
“Last term we had a number of students who had never baked before,” says Aysha.
“During their first few weeks you could see how apprehensive they were. As they continued, you could see such a change in their confidence, in themselves and in what they could create.
For Easter, the women will be taking part in a Fondant Masterclass, making a seasonal celebration cake.
“It’s not just making delicious cakes – though that’s nice – we learn transferable skills like time management, working as part of a team and dealing with setbacks. Bakes can go wrong!”
The women bake one day a week while being supported as they look for jobs, write CVs, learn ways to manage conflict and forge healthy relationships.
They can also get support with housing issues or speak to an in-house therapist.
Luminary’s referrals often come through crisis organisations and charities, such as Ella’s Home, Solace, Refuge, St Mungo’s and Pause.
Aysha, in fact, is a testament to the scheme’s power. She enrolled on the course in 2019 and instantly loved it. “It changed my life. I hope my story can inspire someone to be strong, to be confident.
“I was having a difficult time and left an abusive relationship. I was living in a refuge centre with my three children. I was quite separated from the world – off the internet, out of the community.
“Professionals like my support worker and the charity helped me.”
Knowing that someone has your back makes all the difference, Aysha says. “I was very shaky. English is not my first language, more like my fourth, so I was shy to talk.
“But kneading the dough, shaping it… it’s very therapeutic. And you have this community.
“I had a passion for baking growing up and used to try to make things I saw in recipes in the newspaper. You can discover or rediscover that love for baking.”
After graduating, trainees can apply for work experience, paid apprenticeships or jobs in either of Luminary’s bakery-cafés (a second is in Stoke Newington, London).
Aysha stayed on as a teaching assistant and is now Luminary’s head baking teacher.
“My favourite part of the day is when we all sit down at the end and share one thing we’ve learned and one thing we’re proud of.”
For the last week of term, the women design and create their showstopper – the final bake from the skills they have built up.
Find out how playing The National Lottery helps change lives every day at national-lottery.co.uk/life-changing