Creating Home from Home

At Bramber Bakehouse, we believe in creating spaces where women can find hope, build resilience, and rediscover their strengths. We’d like to introduce Maria, referred to us by our partner organisation, Breadwinners. 

Maria arrived in the UK from Central America under challenging circumstances. Placed in a hotel housing asylum seekers, she describes feeling isolated and was eager to leave the hotel and rebuild. As a former chef, Maria longed to share her love of cooking with others. A referral to Bramber Bakehouse provided her with an opportunity to rebuild, reconnect with others, and rediscover the joy of her passion in the kitchen.

“Breadwinners told me Bramber Bakehouse was about baking,” Maria shared, “but they didn’t mention the wellbeing part. I ended up enjoying the whole programme more than I could have imagined.”

From the moment she stepped into the Bakehouse, Maria was met with warmth, kindness, and understanding. Despite initial nervousness, she quickly felt the atmosphere lift her spirits. “The people were so nice and welcoming,” she recalled. 

“They gave me the confidence to share my story.”

For Maria, the programme was more than just an opportunity to bake. It was a chance to reconnect with herself, step out of isolation, and learn tools to manage her mental health. “The tips they gave us about wellbeing—like breathing techniques for anxiety—were so helpful,” she said. “Baking also helped me stay in the present. I felt calm and happy again.”

Maria, once unsure about stepping into a new environment, discovered confidence, joy, and a sense of belonging. “I was happy to talk with people and bake”.

Beyond the kitchen, Bramber Bakehouse’s befriending programme, a new service developed and delivered earlier this year, extended support which Maria deeply appreciated. Weekly meetings gave her a safe space to practice her English, build confidence, and feel truly listened to. “My befriender was amazing,” she shared. “It was something I looked forward to every week.”

When asked what she would say to a woman considering joining the programme, Maria’s answer is simple yet heartfelt: “She needs to do it. It’s a great experience. The people are kind, you learn new skills, and you make delicious things.

Bramber Bakehouse offers a chance to grow in so many ways.”

Today, Maria is moving forwards with hope and determination. She’s studying English, exploring opportunities to return to her culinary roots, and dreaming of a life where she has a place of her own—complete with a beloved cat. “I used to care for 13 rescue cats,” she said with a smile. “Having a cat again would make me feel at home.”

For Maria, Bramber Bakehouse was not just a programme; it was a lifeline—a place of belonging and rediscovery. A home from home.