My Breadwinners 'best-bits': in conversation with Charlotte
This week we said a sad farewell to Charlotte, our Programmes Manager. She first joined Breadwinners as a mentor on the first ever Risers Programme, before joining our core team two years ago. Throughout her time, she’s ran each of our programmes, sometimes exclusively, other times simultaneously! Summed up well herself with the comment, ‘I’ve effectively done every job there is in Breadwinners!’ As she moves on to embark on a career in immigration law, I chatted to her about what she’ll take away from her time at Breadwinners.
Charlotte with her first cohort of Risers (pre-Covid, before face masks became a daily essential)
Kicking off with the highs, we first discussed Charlotte’s most memorable moment. ‘What really stands out is the first Risers Kick-Off weekend. It was so exciting. You're on the stall and as it was pre-Covid, everyone was all together, getting to know each other, having a great time at Chelsea Market. I was new then and was so happy to be at Breadwinners and be bringing the community together.’
“You feel so proud when someone has put in so much effort to get a job and then they finally get that breakthrough.”
When talking about her proudest moment, it was clear to see the close connection Charlotte has with all the people she has supported on the programmes. ‘Feeling proud ultimately comes down to people actually getting jobs. It’s the best feeling ever when you have worked with someone who has tried really hard, has put in so much effort and then they actually finally get that breakthrough. You feel really proud of them.’
However, things have not always been plain sailing. Unsurprisingly, Covid posed a unique set of challenges to the way Charlotte ran the Breadwinners Programme. With markets closed, it was up to her and Martin, our director, to go back to the drawing board and restructure the programmes so that we could continue to provide employment opportunities to our young people during lockdown.
And thus Breadwinners’ online delivery service was born! Charlotte developed a brand new Proofers Programme, designed to up-skill our Breadwinners to become Online Sales Representatives, selling our bread and baked goods to customers and businesses.
‘All the work about transitioning in Covid and developing the Proofers Programme was a really big deal. We were feeling in the dark but we broke down the walls to provide opportunities to our young people. I’m really proud that we continued. It’s a difficult programme to run but the skills development [for our young people] is huge.’
“Some of our young people go for every opportunity and it’s so impressive to be that young and to put your all into everything.”
It’s not just our young people that learn during their time at Breadwinners. Charlotte explained how much they have taught her. ‘Their resilience and commitment is inspirational. I wasn't the person that went for every opportunity when I was younger, but some of them go for every single opportunity. To be that young and to put your all into everything is really, really impressive.’
When I asked her what she’ll miss the most, the answer was simple: ‘100 % the people. The community is very welcoming and you get to meet so many amazing people - tonnes of young people and volunteers who really care.’
‘You have so much fun. Even when it's pouring with rain and you would rather not be at a market stall, you end up having a really nice time. At Breadwinners, you learn to see the funny side of things. You really become yourself because there's no holding back!’
At Graduation with Endri, celebrating his completion of the Breadwinners & Proofers Programmes
A lot changes in four years, especially for us as a growing charity and social enterprise. During her time, Charlotte has played a significant role in these developments, a part she feels proud to have played. ‘It’s great that we now have such a big, and such a nice team to work with. I worry that it's gonna be one of the nicest places I've ever worked! It's just been great to have really good leadership from Martin too, through such a turbulent couple of years.’
When speaking with Charlotte, it’s clear to see how much the young people mean to her. ‘It's brilliant to see how well lots of the young people are doing, especially people I've known for a couple of years that are now moving on and looking at going to university. Well done to everyone for what they've achieved. I’m looking forward to seeing what's next for everyone!’
And of course, I had to ask her one important final question before we ended. What’s your favourite bread? ‘There is something about white sourdough, especially The Snapery Bakery white sourdough breads! They’re massive and delicious!’
We wish you the best of luck in your next steps Charlotte and we look forward to you visiting us at the markets!