Market stalls to new beginnings: How charity "Breadwinners" supports young refugees into work

A British charity is helping young refugees and asylum seekers build confidence, skills and a sense of belonging through selling bread at local markets.

Breadwinners, a registered charity operating in London and Brighton, supports young people aged 16 to 24 who are new to the UK through programmes designed to improve employability and integration.

The charity says on its website: “We employ refugees to sell the organic artisan bread at farmers’ markets in London and Brighton, and to manage our online bread delivery service.”

Running three key programmes: Risers, Breadwinners, and Proofers, each is aimed at different stages of a young person’s journey.

The Risers programme is a two-month scheme for young people aged 16 to 24, including those who do not yet have the right to work. Participants volunteer at market stalls, learn about the products, and build communication skills while receiving mentoring and employability training.

Emily Boling, interim managing director of Breadwinners, says: “We’re one of the only charities I know of that works with young people who don’t have the right to work.”

She adds: “We find a way to keep people involved so it doesn’t feel like they’re doing it all alone.”

“To be a young person is tricky, but then to be new to a country, with no family, no system of support, not speaking the language, and then to finally find a sense of community and find a place where you’re not only accepted, but welcomed and appreciated [can make all the difference].”

After completing Risers, many participants move on to the Breadwinners programme, a four-month paid scheme for those with the right to work. Here, young people take on full responsibility for running market stalls, including managing stock, engaging with customers and mentoring newer participants.

Boling describes it as “the hero programme, the namesake of the organisation.”

Programmes manager and communications officer, Raina Khan, began her journey through the Breadwinners programme nearly two years ago.

Reflecting on her experience throughout, she says: “You are given opportunities and you have to prove yourself. The whole thing is a growing process.”

As a refugee from Nicaragua, Raina says: “Trusting people takes a while. Breadwinners have been that solid rock for me.”

Being a part of the Breadwinners community, Raina feels she “finally has a purpose.”

“It changed my life and provided me with steady income,” she adds.

“The main thing [the young people] can take away is - besides having an income and a job, knowing there is a place you belong and are welcomed.”

The charity also runs a six-month programme called Proofers, which was introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on developing office-based skills such as administration, invoicing and customer outreach, helping participants prepare for a wider range of employment opportunities.

At the end of their time with Breadwinners, participants receive support from a job coach, with many going on to secure employment.

According to the website, 76% of Breadwinners participants have progressed into further work, university or volunteering after graduating.

Boling emphasised the role of community in the charity’s work, adding that bringing people together, particularly around food, helps to create connection.

Young people often hear about Breadwinners through referrals from other organisations, including colleges and community centres, but word of mouth also plays a key role.

“The interesting thing is, once young people get into our programme, they tell all their friends,” Boling says.

Jay, Market Stall Manager and Breadwinners Programme participant, began his journey with the charity at 16 years old, after hearing about it from a friend that was part of the Risers programme. Now 19, Jay says, “I like the people at Breadwinners - they are brave, honest, and kind.”

Jay says Breadwinners allowed him to find community when he first came to the UK from South Sudan.

“Breadwinners helped me find peace of mind, especially as a young person who lives alone. When I’m alone, I overthink.”

He adds that Breadwinners has allowed him to make friends, improve his English and confidence, regain his ability to trust people, as well as give back to the younger people in the Risers programme, who have newly joined.

The charity considers how it represents the young people it supports.

“We’re very careful about not making their trauma their story. It’s the way we talk about the people in our programme, we just say young people. We’re not trying to say refugees, asylum seekers. Maybe that’s how they got here, but we’re meeting them where they are today,” says Boling.

She also calls for a shift in public attitudes towards refugees.

“I wish there was less othering [when it comes to refugees]. To be 16, 17, 18, even 20 anywhere is difficult. All of these young people have the same sort of anxiety, the same fears, the same shyness and the same want and need to fit in. There isn’t much difference as I think the world makes it up to be.”

She adds: “I wish people looked for more of what we had in common here than what divides us.”

Boling hopes to expand Breadwinners beyond its current locations in London and Brighton, bringing the model to more communities across the UK.