Springing from a need for occupation and training, the CRUMBS Project achieved charitable status in 1997.  The modest building in which special needs cookery (diabetic cakes) were mixed and baked by persons with a special disability (long term mental illness): one disability helping another - was quite quickly outgrown.

Support from Grant-making Trusts enabled us to expand: the Staff team and trainee numbers grew and the change to training for independence and employment became our aim.

A proven track record, established as an outcome of the targeted personal approach to each individual trainee member of our workforce, attracted attention from the Community Care section of the Borough Council and a referral process was established.

At this point, Staff and trainees identified the need for experience of working with and for the public: a small café was chosen as the means of delivering this further training.

It took the best part of four years from start to finish: objective to ready to operate.  New building (leased), new staff team and many new people in our trainee workforce.  Staff standing outside on the pavement and inviting the public in to try our wares!  But it worked, and gradually, slowly but surely, a customer base was built up.  All the while retaining the original small kitchen premises which were our beginning.

ETHOS
Established as a training facility, CRUMBS has, during the past twelve years, developed a workplace, pre-employment training service through dedicated baking/ cooking/ service delivery programmes, undertaken by a mixed-disability workforce - unique in this area - comprising mental Illness, stabilised addiction, &/ or learning disability.  Emphasis is on skills and confidence: improving health & employability.  Help is available on a one-to-one basis to discuss problems:  building trust, identifying learning needs, seeking solutions.  Overall our capacity is up to thirty persons in training at any one time with a teaching staff of nine full/ part-time staff: a necessary requirement to deliver a quality service to both the trainee workforce and the public whilst complying with all current legislation.

CURRENT SERVICES:
CRUMBS CAFÉ: Gold Star award: providing home-made, tasty and attractive food in modern, light and airy surroundings: modestly priced for the current economic downturn.  Lunchtime service in our café or silver service can be arranged in our upstairs meeting room for a private occasion. Immaculately clean.

CRUMBS Sandwich Delivery Service:  sandwiches, baguettes, salads and soups can be delivered to your office: talk to us about a regular service or occasional meeting.

CRUMBS Tuck Box Service: let us shoulder your worry about finding the time to pop down the road for that essential at-the-desk snack: choice of standard boxes or custom-made: delivered to your office on a weekly basis

CRUMBS Flexi Finger Buffet Menu, Afternoon Teas & Picnic Boxes:  Monday to Friday lunchtime/ afternoon service, at the touch of a mouse!  Talk to us, firm up by email and your order will arrive promptly: tempting menu!  Ask someone who knows.

SPECIAL OFFER:  CRUMBS ORIGINAL ICED FRUIT CAKE.  These cakes are made to order and can be individualised by using your brand label for gift or advertising purposes.  Save time and money with a regular order!  

THE FUTURE
Expansion of existing food services and employment opportunities are our eventual goal.

THE CHARITY
As a Charity, The CRUMBS Project now consists of twelve persons: of these, ten comprise the Board of Management: six are Trustees: all but three are senior citizens: none are paid.
One of our ambitions is to build a new support group: if you are interested in helping this good work, please do get in touch: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   strap line CRUMBS SUPPORT.