Empowering disadvantaged women in London to build a positive future for themselves and their families
- In 2021, the Domestic Abuse Act (UK) legally recognized economic abuse as a form of domestic abuse.
- 96% of women reported that the cost-of-living crisis is making the abuse worse. (London Community Foundation report)
- 95% of cases of domestic abuse involve economic abuse. (Surviving Economic Abuse)
A program to break the cycle of poverty and create new opportunities
The aim of this comprehensive training and employment program is to break the cycle of poverty, violence and disadvantage, once and for all. Each year, up to 56 women are recruited from across London. Over Luminary’s two-year program, they:
- Learn to bake and gain a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate.
- Develop essential life and employability skills including budgeting, interview preparation and personal resilience.
- Are matched with a dedicated volunteer mentor who supports their personal and professional growth.
- Gain real-world work experience and paid apprenticeships with their workplace partners, and at their sister organization, Luminary Bakery, where they can put their learning into practice in a commercial setting.
Each woman also has access to:
- One-to-one support from a dedicated Progression Support Worker to help her navigate the wider challenges she faces such as housing and debt.
- Highly trained in-house counsellors can provide up to 16 weeks of counselling.
- Ongoing wellbeing sessions for current trainees as well as alumni.
At the end of the first year, women graduate from the structured part of the Program, significantly up-skilling them for the future. This milestone is marked with a Graduation Ceremony, at the iconic Roundhouse in London.
In their second year of the program, graduates are matched with a Volunteer Mentor who challenges and encourages them to develop career goals and further their skills, they also widen their knowledge of the workplace with work experience and apprenticeship opportunities. They will continue to meet with their Progression Support Worker and access therapy, if needed.
With Kering Foundation’s support, Luminary will support up to 168 women, over three years through their two-year program.
Empowering women through baking and mentorship
Luminary is a registered UK charity that uses baking as a tool to guide women on a journey towards empowerment, employability and independence. They work alongside women who have experienced multiple forms of disadvantage, including gender‑based violence. Four of their 16 staff members are Luminary graduates.
In 2024: Luminary worked directly with 84 women. 100% of women reached “independence” after completing their two-year program. Independence is measured by tracking women’s progress across five key areas: Health & Wellbeing, Money, Housing, Relationships and work - all intrinsically linked to Employment outcomes.
