Lee's story:

My name is Lee and I am 22.  My Mum told me about the Crumbs Café Project in Boscombe, she had found out from another trainees Mum. I started by doing two taster days and then started as a trainee working two days a week; I worked preparing and cooking food in the kitchen and waiting tables front of house.  I have always been very shy but working at Crumbs has taught me how to talk to others and make new friends, as well as take instruction from the training staff. While training at Crumbs I have achieved many of the goals I have been set including training courses, these include an NVQ level 2 in Food and Drink service and a Food Hygiene and Safety certificate level 2.

I finished as a trainee in June 2010, and was then asked if I wanted to become a volunteer and help new trainees; this gave me a great deal of satisfaction, of course I accepted and was delighted to start this new chapter of my life. I now work front of house on Mondays, Thursday and Friday, I also attend the Crumbs Drop in Club on a Wednesday and help to run the social club. Crumbs has been a wonderful experience for me, I have learnt so much about the catering trade and made some life long friends.

Steve's story:

I used to have a number of problems with my life - including alcohol and drug dependency and I was homeless.  I decided to try to take some steps to change things and I well remember the day my social worker referred me to Crumbs.  I undertook work skills training at Crumbs Bakery and then Crumbs Café and received good support from the staff there and also from my fellow trainees.  I was able after a couple of years training at Crumbs to take up voluntary work at a local hospital.  After doing this voluntary work for 6 months I was offered full time paid employment by the hospital and I still work there after 18 months.



Judy's story:

I had had a few problems over recent years and felt I had no confidence to hold down a job.  I attended Crumbs for a year or so and felt a definite benefit both in terms of picking up work skills and in regaining my self-esteem.  When I felt sufficiently confident, I applied for several jobs and in fact I was offered two employment positions - one of which I accepted and have held down for 6 months now.



Ivan's story:

I trained at Crumbs for a couple of years doing all sorts of tasks - baking, cooking, serving customers, cleaning and more.  I then felt able to apply for a part-time cleaning job in a local hotel and I really concentrated on doing the job conscientiously.  I was fortunate enough then to be offered full time paid employment by the hotel and have managed to keep focused for a couple of years now and also live independently.



Stan's story:

I'd never had a proper job before and worried about my future.  My key worker referred me to Crumbs and I attended both the Bakery and Café.  I surprised myself as to how I took to the business of the catering trade.  I have managed to secure a job at a local café restaurant after a couple of years training at Crumbs and have now completed 18 months in this full time paid post.  I also now have my own rented flat and live independently.