The Wren Bakery exists to work with women who have experienced multiple disadvantage. Experiences such as poverty, gender based violence, criminal records and poor mental health prevent women from participating in the benefits that well-being and employment can bring. We work with women in Leeds to break this cycle of disadvantage, and provide two years of support and training to move women into employment.

We require a professional who is currently working with the applicant to complete the application form. We ask that the referrer will contract to work with us as they continue to provide support to the applicant for the first 6 months of our training.

Applying for this programme is a commitment to finding employment and gaining independence: attendance is incredibly important. Please bear this in mind when applying and making referrals.

Referral Criteria:

● Female

● Experience of multiple disadvantage, this may include, but not exclusively,

   poverty, gender based violence, criminal records, addictions and poor mental health

● Right to Work in UK

● Unemployed

● Aged 18-55

● Can read and write to ESOL level 2

● Physically able to work

● Engaged in the recovery phase of drug and alcohol interventions for at least 6 months if applicable

● Be in regular receipt of mental health support for at least 6 months if applicable.

We are committed to doing our utmost to supporting women through our two years of training at The Wren Bakery, however, as a small service we do not have the resources to support:

● Women who have had an emergency admission to hospital in relation to their mental health for over 24 hours in the last six months

● Women who suffer a severe eating disorder

● Women who regularly and severely self-harm such as to need to access mental health crisis and emergency services

● Women who are actively suicidal and those who have tried to end their life in the last six months

● Women who currently pose a high risk of violence to others.

After completing an application form

We will contact the referrer within 2 weeks of the closing date to give the shortlisted applicant a date and time for an interview. Interviews will be held at The Wren Bakery training base at The Coffee House, Mabgate Mills, Leeds LS9 7DZ.

Clare who co-founded and manages The Wren Bakery, Jacinta our in-house wellbeing practitioner and Jackie who works with Wren, having previously graduated from our training programme in 2020, are all involved with this stage of the process.

Applicants will be invited to an interview session with Clare, Jacinta, and Jackie, followed by an individual assessment with Jacinta.

The Wren Bakery Training Outline

All training takes place on-site in Mabgate Mills, Leeds, LS9 7DZ

We work with each trainee for a period of two years. Our programme is delivered flexibly understanding the needs of the women we train and the complexity of the issues they face in life. Our training is person centred and our trainers are skilled and able to work to this approach.

Phase 1: 6 months

In this first phase of training we meet once a week, every Friday from 10 am to 3 pm, for six months. In this time our trainees build a portfolio of their skills. Fortnightly work experience starts in a café giving our trainees the opportunity to put the skills they are learning directly into practice right from the start.

Trainees will:

● Learn to bake to a patisserie level 2 standard, learning the recipes and skills needed to supply cakes and baked goods for our cafe.

● Complete their Level 2 certificate in Food Hygiene

● Be trained in Barista skills from Basic to Intermediate Level

● Build confidence in fortnightly work experience in our cafe

● Participate in well being sessions with Jacinta Kent, an overview of which will be discussed at the interview.

● Participate in 4 entry level, user led, art sessions with Una a professional artist and writer from Red Dress Collective.

Training sessions:

● 1 day per week with a maximum of 5 women in each cohort

● Travel can be reimbursed up to £5 with a valid receipt

Phase 2: 6 - 18 months

After graduating from phase 1 our trainees will receive one to one mentoring to transfer the skills they have learned into work opportunities. Work experience may continue in the cafe if deemed suitable. This phase of support looks very different for each trainee, with some wanting to move into paid work whilst others may want to continue to work at a steady pace and begin voluntary placements or further training at college. Regular goal setting is planned and tailored support given throughout this period.

Women who have trained with The Wren Bakery will always remain welcome and part of our community. We will continue to offer social opportunities to come together, but no longer offer 1-1 support after 2 years.

Please return completed referral forms to:

The Wren Bakery, The Coffee House, Mills 6, Mabgate Mills, Leeds LS9 7DZ.

Or via email to referrals@thewrenbakery.com