“If it wasn’t for The Wren Bakery I would never have found myself again”
-Trainee
Dream it
Emma and Clare joined forces in 2019 after seeing the need to support women in Leeds who experience multiple disadvantage into employment.
The Wren Bakery is a response to a real need to enable women to build confidence and employability skills.
The Wren Bakery provides a much needed first step in the journey to employment. We help women shape a better future for themselves by gaining transferable skills in baking and barista. We put employability as our first priority, giving our trainees the opportunity to work at our Cafe at Mabgate Mills. We deliver mentoring and support along the way helping our trainees regain their confidence and self belief, working at their pace and journeying with them every step of the way.
Our Founders
Emma Flint
Emma worked for 8 years with The Joanna Project supporting women with complex needs in street prostitution.
She has years of experience working with vulnerable people on the margins of society including asylum seekers, prison leavers etc.
Emma is now an elected councillor for the Weetwood Ward in Leeds.
Clare Sanderson
Clare was a cafe proprietor for 6 years in Manchester.
She moved to Leeds during her social work training, and worked as a Mental Health Social Worker for 15 years.
Clare is now a qualified Level 3 Patisserie Chef and runs a business from home, baking for a local social enterprise cafe.
“We love the image and personality of the Wren. The Wren is our smallest garden bird but has the loudest song. They are plucky, determined and brave birds that often go unseen. We felt the Wren says a lot about the women we are working with. Our hope is that our training programme enables women to find their voice and confidently use it.”
— Emma
Our Ambassador
I live in Leeds, love to bake and find it therapeutic for myself, plus pre bake off I used to work various jobs in mental health and The Wren Bakery brings all of that together. All of the women are guided through a person centred six month training programme, they will have weekly baking and barista training, plus psychotherapy workshops and experience selling their own goods out and about on the Wren Bakery van. Afterwards, they will have ongoing mentoring, plus work on the Wren Bakery van and support to move into a realistic work setting. So they are really well supported.
I’m so happy that this opportunity now exists for women in Leeds and I’m so so proud to be an Ambassador for The Wren Bakery. Clare and Emma started The Wren Bakery last year and are already making amazing progress with the women, whilst also combating the extra pressures of COVID. The stories they have talked about have been so heartwarming.
Trustees
Our board of trustees are a group of people passionate about furthering the mission and aims of The Wren Bakery. They come from diverse backgrounds and offer a wide range of skills to bring oversight and direction to the charity.
We work alongside
Jacinta
Jacinta has worked as a trauma-informed Group Analyst and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist in Leeds for eight years; specialising in women who have experienced trauma. She is a Member of the Institute of Group Analysis and registered with the UKCP. Jacinta brings a wealth of experience to help our trainees overcome the barriers they face in life. Her workshops are a safe space and her input is invaluable to support our trainees as they journey forward.
Andrew - The Barn Cafe
Andrew Macbean is our barista trainer at The Wren Bakery. He runs his own social enterprise cafe in Meanwood, and has years of barista training and experience under his belt. Serving top quality coffee that is ethically sourced and expertly roasted is his passion and we are thrilled that he is working with The Wren Bakery sharing his knowledge and expertise.
Mark and Jean - Shiloh Roasters
At The Wren Bakery we are excited to be partnering with Shiloh Roasters. Owned and run by husband and wife team, Mark and Jean Armstrong, Shiloh Coffee Roasters began in 2016. Shiloh Roasters are passionate about ethically produced quality coffee.
We stock Shiloh coffee availble to buy from our cafe in Mabgate