Step and Stone – Flour power for young adults with learning differences

Step and Stone is an ‘Into Work’ bakery based in Knowle in south east Bristol that works with adults with learning differences to provide practical work skills training, career coaching and support into paid employment.

Set up in 2016 by Jane Kippax and Jane Chong, two friends whose children were both born with Down Syndrome, Step and Stone was established in response to the extremely low employment rate amongst people with learning disabilities. At the time, less than 6% of people with learning disabilities were in paid employment, and the organisation’s aim was to provide opportunities for those who want to work.

By providing quality training on a person-centred basis, Step and Stone aims to confront social isolation and change public perceptions, and support the career aspirations of those facing barriers to employment.

The artisan bakery produces award-winning lavosh, biscotti and cheese biscuits, all of which are baked by its trainees and sold in delis and fine food stores around Bristol and the UK.

It strives to offer its trainees the best opportunities for learning and confidence building in order to prepare them for employment and independent lives. A key part of this is the environment in which the trainees work. Previously, the trainees would store their belongings on shelves that were overcrowded or too tall or difficult for them to access. This meant that they often needed assistance from a member of staff in collecting their uniforms when getting ready for work.

The bakery uniform incorporates a t-shirt, apron, hair net, bakery hat and gloves, all of which require various dexterity skills. People with learning differences often doubt their own abilities and turn to their support workers for assistance, even when they are capable of completing the tasks independently. Staff at Step and Stone were noticing a pattern of trainees asking for help when the trainees arrived at the bakery, instead of putting their uniform on independently.

The staff decided new equipment in the break room would help improve this cycle of assumed reliance, while new one-to-one and group skills workshops focusing on independent preparation for work would also increase trainees’ self-reliance and confidence.

Another of Step and Stone’s objectives is to promote the trainees’ self-confidence when travelling to work, as the majority travel to the bakery via taxi. Empowering individuals to take the bus, or walk/cycle where geographically appropriate, is deemed an important step towards independent living, whilst also developing a habit of travelling locally in a more environmentally friendly way.

SMV was able to support Step and Stone with a grant of £2,444 towards these projects.

The purchase of new storage equipment had an immediate and obvious impact on the trainees’ preparation at the start of the working day; the new set-up afforded more space for the trainees to put away their bags and coats in the lockers and put on their uniform. The skills workshops centred on the tasks trainees should complete at home before coming to work, such as getting enough sleep, eating breakfast and wearing clean, appropriate clothing. Additional one-to-one training – including how to tie back hair, tie up an apron and properly wash hands – was delivered on a needs basis to trainees who required extra support.

I like the new lockers because they have more space at the bottom that I can reach in my wheelchair.

– Joe

The bakery floor staff also adopted an approach of promoting independence, instead of immediately offering help to trainees. As a result, they noticed an increase in trainees getting started with bakery tasks quietly, swiftly and independently by themselves. Previously, at the start of the day trainees would spend time spent sat at the break table, waiting for a member of staff to prompt them into work.

The new equipment – and the habits it has engendered – are a significant upgrade to the look and function of the bakery, transforming it into a sleeker and more efficient workplace that in turn gives a more professional impression.

There was a high level of interest in the travel-to-work training, that compelled Step and Stone to expand the pilot group from three trainees to nine. Led by a member of staff, the sessions included riding the bus to work. During the journey, trainees were instructed on what to look out for.

Going on the bus with [our Work Transition Officer] helps me a lot because I can remember the buildings that mean my stop is next, and also I know now what to do if I miss my stop by mistake.

– Jodie

Encouraged by the presence of their friends, the trainees experienced break-through moments of self-belief which tangibly increased their aspirations towards employment. A trainee who received one-to-one travel training also made significant progress towards fully independent travel to the bakery and their place of employment in the future. The success and positive feedback from these sessions have encouraged Step and Stone to continue offering the group travel.