Portraits of Resilience: Blossom

Our Portraits of Resilience bring together powerful portraits and personal stories from women who’ve walked through our doors at Bramber Bakehouse. As you explore these stories, we invite you to stand with us as we step into the next decade of hope and healing.

You may notice the blank image above. This is not an accident. On Saturday, 13th September 2025, a large-scale “Unite the Kingdom” march took place in London, attracting an estimated 110,000 participants. The demonstration focused on issues relating to immigration and national identity. Due to the scale and nature of the event, Blossom felt unable to travel and, as a result, was unable to attend the scheduled photo shoot that day.

It’s hard to describe how much my life has changed over the last few years. I used to be in such a dark and lonely place. Attending the baking classes at Bramber was the start of my life totally turning around. 

I migrated from Nigeria to London several years ago. At first, I felt so isolated. I used to be very shy – I was always scared and nervous. I kept to myself and didn’t like leaving the house. I never met or talked to new people and only had a small circle of friends.  

It was a really hard time in my life; I wasn’t happy at all. All my friends were going to university but I didn’t have a way to go. They were all doing something and I wasn’t able to, with what was going on in my life at that time. I just felt like I wasn’t doing anything. 

It wasn’t the best situation but I didn’t have a choice. If you are living life without choice, what is the point? It caused a lot of down moments, a lot of anxiety. I had to go to the GP all the time. 

Then my support worker suggested I attend the baking classes at Bramber Bakehouse because he knew I liked cooking. Although I didn’t want to go, I went along because my Mum and I would be doing it together. If it was just me, I wouldn’t have gone because it was quite a distance. 

Honestly, my first impression of the class was that it was amazing! It was very, very welcoming. I felt like I knew these women and that I had been there before. The atmosphere was not hostile at all, it was relaxing and very peaceful. It was really important to me to be in a place where I felt safe. At Bramber, the vibe was instantly great and it felt like we were a little family. 

I met lots of people, some were older than me, which meant I was able to learn from them. It meant a lot to be around people facing similar challenges and I was able to relate to their experiences. Everyone was lovely. Every single person. 

Whatever was happening in my life, it didn’t matter in that space. I could just go there and feel okay. I could be myself without feeling judged and didn’t have to hide. It was a mini-escape from reality, even though it was only a couple of hours a week. I knew I could get away from it all there. I never felt down or alone for any moment. The team at Bramber Bakehouse gave me so much support in every area of my life. I always knew they were there for me. 

We all gathered round a big, circular table together. We baked lots of different things: bread, cake, pastries, croissants. Focaccia – that was good! I loved getting my hands to do something. It was interesting to see what we had all created: if someone baked something a bit wonky, we would all laugh and then we’d look at all the great baking too. I felt like a pro-baker by the end! I still treasure the book of recipes I was given. 

When the course finished, I cried. I was so sad it had all ended but I had gained so much. So much of my fear had disappeared; I had all this confidence and had discovered my own voice. I was more vocal and expressive. Honestly, I felt free as a bird. 

While on the course, I applied for a scholarship to go to university and found out I was successful. I was able to share that celebration with my class, which was incredibly special. 

I went to university to study Accounting and Finance in the same year. Everything correlated at that time. I had developed a new belief in myself that I could do it. 

I’ve gone on to do public speaking, inspiring other women to have their own voice and encouraging them that they can overcome their challenges. I’ve done things way out of my comfort zone, which I never thought I could do. I also volunteer with children at my church, doing different activities. Whenever they need me, I turn up. I love cooking for other people and trying out new recipes. I do as much as I can for others. 

Now I am a tax specialist within the civil service and am working towards becoming a chartered accountant, which is my dream. I’ve already completed the first year of exams. I have also applied to do an MBA in Finance in January. It’s tough but I’m determined to succeed.  

I used to be by myself all the time, but now I have even found love. We are hoping to get married and have children in the next few years.  

I feel like I was robbed of time, so I am trying to make up for that now! 

Bramber was the start of my whole journey to where I am now. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. It was there I figured out who I could be. It was a huge stepping stone to what I am achieving. Through them, I could explore what I wanted to do and what I could achieve. 

I’m thankful for everybody that contributed to where I am now, because it was not just one person. It was all of them, everybody, the people who participated, the people who volunteered, the people who contributed and all those who support Bramber Bakehouse. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.

Thank you to Sarah Weal (photographer), Katherine Maxwell-Jones from iMix (storyteller) and Julia Smith (floristry artist) for your careful care and support enabling us to share these stories with the world.