Bramber Bakehouse

Referrals

"My client has nothing but goodness to say about you…the difference it has made to her wellbeing, how it has given her hope."

Case Worker, Medaille Trust

We believe in the value of partnerships and the relationships with our referral partner network are invaluable. Whether you’re referring a woman to our programme or collaborating with us to adapt our service provision, read on to find out more about our programme, become a referral partner and submit a referral.

100% of graduates would recommend us to a friend or family member.

Our Model

Step 1
We work in partnership with organisations who support women to overcome the challenges they face, meeting their basic needs.
Step 2
With the support of these organisations, women are referred to Bramber Bakehouse because they have experienced violence, exploitation or displacement and require additional support to move forward.
Step 3
A woman enrols on the programme where she receives the confidence, skills and knowledge she needs to thrive. Baking, wellbeing sessions and transferable life skills formulate our programme in a safe, trauma-informed environment.
Step 4
Strengthened with increased confidence & hope, each woman graduates and has access to person-centred support including befriending & mentoring, with a view to undertaking volunteering, paid employment, or education.
Step 5
Each woman experiences belonging within the Bramber Bakehouse community, attending regular gatherings, with access to peer support groups, opportunities to return as a volunteer or join our advisory board post-programme.
“We’ve created a baking programme which comfortably progresses from beginning to advanced technical skills. Throughout the programme we teach our students the theory, giving explanations on how recipes work, enabling them with the confidence to experiment and continue their baking journey after the programme is completed.”
Martha, Baker

Referral Criteria

Please ensure that the woman you are referring meet all the criteria below:

  • Are over the age of 18
  • Have experienced:
    • Modern Slavery
    • Human trafficking
    • Exploitation
    • Gender-based violence
    • Displacement
  • Have a good, conversational level of English (ESOL Entry Level 2)
  • Are engaging with mental health support, if applicable
  • Are engaging with drug and alcohol intervention, if applicable
  • Live within Sussex
  • Are willing to commit to attending the full eight-week programme

As part of our trauma-informed practice, we ask that all those who are wanting to participate in our programme be in a stage of recovery where the risk of being negatively impacted by the work is significantly reduced i.e. by personal therapy, experience, passage of time. We would be happy to discuss and explore this with you further.

We’ve also supported women with disability needs to access our programme. Do contact us if you want to discuss this.

Refer a Woman

Referrals are now closed. Applications for our Spring programme will open in February 2025.

FAQs

  • Our workshops take place across Sussex – with current location in Brighton. For safeguarding reasons, we will share the location with the students and caseworkers once they’re accepted onto the programme. 

  • Mondays – arrive at 10.15am to start at  10:30am to 3pm  finish. For those catching a train, we book open returns to allow students flexibility.

  • Our programme is 8-weeks long with tailored, ongoing support provided for one year post-programme.

  • The Bramber Bakehouse programme is free of charge, with travel covered where necessary. We provide a light breakfast, lunch and drinks throughout the day. 

  • We accept referrals from within Sussex only.

     

  • Yes, we do. Graduates have opportunities to access our 121 befriending service and receive additional resources and signposting opportunities. We also refer eligible graduates to partner organisations like Smart Works and Bright Future for employment support. We are currently developing a mentoring service to continue our support for graduates.

  • We do not provide childcare at this time, though we would love to offer this in the future.

  • To meaningfully engage in the programme, we ask that students are able to communicate at ESOL Entry Level 2. Students are encouraged to share their reflections and feelings in the group and will also write self-care and goal plans throughout the weeks. If students do not meet our English language requirement, we are happy to offer placements in future programmes contingent on completing an ESOL course.

  • Once you’ve looked through the criteria, please complete the application form on our referral page and submit the form ahead of the next programme deadline. If the application is submitted after the deadline, we will consider the student for the following term.   

  • We only accept applications from support workers, case workers or someone who’s working to regularly support you. Please ask them to apply alongside you. 

If you have questions email us: referrals@bramberbakehouse.co.uk or call us 0333 344 7532

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