At the Foundation Bakery in Pyle Street, Newport, are, from left, managing director Andy Hinton with head chef Lyndon Watkins and trainee Emily-Jane Swatton. Picture by Robin Crossley.
A NEW bakery, which aims to help people get into work, has opened on the Isle of Wight this week.
The Foundation Bakery, at the site of the former Dabells distribution centre in Pyle Street, Newport, is a social enterprise company that provides training and support for vulnerable people such as former substance abusers, ex-prisoners and people with mental illness.
If successful, it aims to expand across the Isle of Wight and the mainland with around 17 outlets. It could have 85 full-time employees, as well provide training for 500 people annually.
The Foundation Bakery is a Christian-led organisation and was formed to replace the Island charity and cake producer, Not Just Enterprises, which folded at the end of 2010.
Currently, there are five permanent members of staff at the new site and five trainees, who will be given between six and 12 weeks of work experience and coaching, to prepare them for the world of work.
Other groups the bakery helps are people with disabilities and the homeless. There will be opportunities for trainees to obtain formal qualifications and training, such as food hygiene certificates.
Managing director Andy Hinton said feedback from customers had been positive: "We are very pleased with the way things have started up. There has been a steady trickle of customers and we look forward to it becoming a flow."
More details can be found on the Foundation Bakery Facebook page or via Twitter.
Reporter: davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk