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  1. Our story
  2. FAQs

Bread & Beyond FAQs

All you need to know about our bakery.

Who is Bread & Beyond?

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Bread & Beyond is a commercial artisan bakery with a difference. We develop and bake the finest hand-crafted goods, using the highest quality ingredients, free from additives and preservatives. And at the same time, provide vocational training and employment opportunities for young people with severe autism.

Published: 3rd October, 2018

Updated: 15th October, 2018

Author: Wendy Garstin

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How did the idea come about?

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Staff at Prior's Court were inspired by a trip to America, where they saw some exceptional projects developing real work opportunities for people with autism.

Keen to replicate these successful projects back home, we researched various enterprises which fitted our young people’s skill profiles. A bakery emerged as the best viable solution, and so the idea for a self-sustaining bakery at Prior’s Court was born.

A bakery is an ideal place for young people with severe autism to work. The routine processes of measuring and working the ingredients suit the learning styles and needs of people with autism.

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 15th October, 2018

Author: Wendy Garstin

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Why is there a need for something like this?

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Only 32% of autistic adults in the UK are in any kind of paid employment, despite over 80% stating a clear wish to work. Just 16% are in full-time employment, and for people with severe autism, the current expectation is that they will never enter the world of work.

This significantly reduces their independence, increasing the risk of social exclusion and mental and physical ill-health. We want to change the outlook for young people with autism, building on the existing successful work placement programme at Prior’s Court, and give real opportunities for paid work in a commercial environment.

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 15th October, 2018

Author: Wendy Garstin

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What are the bakery costs?

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The cost for building, equipping and staffing the bakery for the first two years is £366,000. This has been covered through generous donations to the Prior's Court Bakery Appeal, from grants through to gifted equipment. We have had valuable support from confectioner and bakery guru, Steve Fudge.

The bakery aims to be self-sustaining, with an estimated £35,000 annual cash contribution to Prior’s Court after two years of business.

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 15th October, 2018

Author: Wendy Garstin

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Where can I buy Bread & Beyond products from?

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A selection of our delectable products are available to buy at the following retailers:

  • Casey Field's Farm Shop off Dog Lane, Ashampstead, Reading, RG8 8SJ
  • Stockcross Village Stores, 57 Ermin Street, Stockcross, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8LJ 

Supplying retail outlets, restaurants and farm shops with our quality baked goods enables local residents to buy and sample our products. By doing so they are supporting the work of Prior's Court, as profits from the sale of Bread & Beyond products go back into the Foundation, enabling the work with young people with severe autism to continue.

This could be life changing for the future employment prospects of these young people who may otherwise never enter the world of work.

If you're interested in becoming a stockist, please get in touch:

e: [email protected]

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 30th September, 2020

Author: Wendy Garstin

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How many sessions are happening each week?

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Each week, there are currently around seven hours of sessions taking place involving young people with autism, although this does change week-to-week. In the first year after opening, 10 young people with autism undertook work experience within the bakery.

In the future, we are aiming for 1/3 of young people at Prior’s Court to have accessed taster sessions and training, in addition to some having progressed to paid roles within the bakery.

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 11th February, 2020

Author: Wendy Garstin

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What does success look like?

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No two people with autism are the same, and the young people at Prior’s Court all have varying capabilities, strengths and needs. This means that for one individual, success might be accessing regular taster sessions, and enjoying the baking process. For another, they might be better suited to a front of house role bagging and selling products. Or, for one young person – they could progress through our training programme and become very competent in one area, so that they eventually assist with baking products for a couple of hours each week in a paid role.

All young people at Prior’s Court have severe autism, and as such would always needs to be supported by an Autism Practitioner and supervised by our Master Baker and Bakery Job Coach. But, our bakery is designed to be inclusive, enabling them to follow their individual strengths and interests, and achieve things which are extraordinary for them.  

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 11th February, 2020

Author: Wendy Garstin

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What products are you selling?

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Our rule for what we offer in our range is simple; only products that use high quality ingredients, can be hand-crafted and taste amazing make it through.

Our current range includes;

Wholemeal brown and soft white rolls, multigrain Malthouse, an oat and barley bloomer, sourdoughs, a traditional white loaf, 'pull-apart’ flavoured loaves, an olive flute, focaccia, shortbread, cinnamon whirls and a range of muffins. We also offer a seasonal range.

However, we can make most things to order. Please check our product pages for more information on our product range.

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 11th February, 2020

Author: Wendy Garstin

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Have they been made by people with autism?

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At the moment, our young people are going through a training programme and are having baking sessions in the afternoon, while Master Baker, Dylan makes the produce for sale in the morning.

As they progress through the training programme and become more competent, they will then transition to joining the morning sessions and form part of the operational baking team making products for sale under Dylan’s guidance.

You can read about young people's progress here.   

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 15th October, 2018

Author: Wendy Garstin

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What are you doing to ensure hygiene standards are being maintained?

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Just as our products are of the highest standard, our hygiene practices are no different. That’s why we have been awarded the maximum five stars from the Food Standards Agency. The rating is based upon; handling of food, how food is stored, how food is prepared, cleanliness of facilities and how food safety is managed.

Our master baker is responsible for ensuring industry hygiene standards and processes are adhered to. But everyone plays their part including the young people and the autism practitioners supporting them. Before being trained by Dylan, young people will have undergone basic food hygiene training in food technology sessions.

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 14th August, 2019

Author: Wendy Garstin

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What does a bakery session with the young people look like?

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Each session lasts for about 20-40 minutes. Upon arriving at the bakery, young people begin preparation by hanging up their jackets, changing into their whites, putting on hairnets and shoe covers, before washing their hands.

Then they help with simple tasks like weighing ingredients, moulding and kneading dough, seeding the bread etc. Each young person will have a visual schedule to follow, which plans out their tasks step-by-step. They will be accompanied by an Autism Practitioner who will also undertake the same hygiene prep and wear the uniform. The practitioner will support them to follow their schedule, while Dylan oversees to ensure quality standards are maintained.

Young people are also involved in cleaning down, taking uniforms to the laundry and hanging them in size order in the changing room. They return after baking has finished to collect their products, which they take back to their home to share with their peers.

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 15th October, 2018

Author: Wendy Garstin

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What is Prior's Court Trading Limited?

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Prior’s Court Trading Limited was established in 2017 to provide a trading subsidiary to Prior’s Court Foundation which will improve life chances for people with autism through the engagement of individuals with autism in work activities. 

Specifically Prior’s Court Trading Limited aims to establish and run commercially viable businesses which will; 

  1. Provide work skill training and opportunities for individuals with autism from Prior’s Court improving outcome for the individuals we support
  2. Provide work skill training and opportunities for individuals with autism from local communities improving the numbers of individuals with autism impacted by Prior’s Court
  3. Are able to make a financial contribution back to Prior’s Court Foundation

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 15th October, 2018

Author: Wendy Garstin

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What next?

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We hope that our innovative and ground-breaking project will provide a model of best practice which can be replicated across the country. Get in touch if you are interested in our model.

Published: 11th October, 2018

Updated: 15th October, 2018

Author: Wendy Garstin

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Showing 10 of 13

Latest

  • Recognition in nationwide Bread Heroes awards scheme

    Recognition in nationwide Bread Heroes awards scheme

    Our Artisan Bakery Manager earned a "special mention" in the 2020 Tiptree World Bread Awards Heroes with Brook Food.

  • Thank you for booking your collection slot

  • Dylan - Artisan Bakery Manager

    Dylan - Artisan Bakery Manager

    Dylan joined Bread & Beyond during its development in 2018 and is now running our training programme for young people as well as making amazing artisan bread.

  • Scott - Night Baker

    Scott - Night Baker

    Scott joined Bread & Beyond to support Bakery Manager, Dylan and meet the growing demands for our products.

Most read

  • Our Product Range

    Our Product Range

    We offer a range of products, all hand crafted and baked daily at our site in Hermitage.

  • The story of Bread & Beyond

    The story of Bread & Beyond

    How ambition for the young people at Prior's Court led to our ground breaking, state-of-the-art bakery, Bread & Beyond.

  • Where to buy

    Where to buy

    Find out where Bread & Beyond products are available to buy and if you're interested in becoming a stockist, find out how.

  • Community store signs up to stock our products

    Community store signs up to stock our products

    Range of loaves for sale at village store while white rolls and baguettes used within shop's café.

  • Become a stockist

    Become a stockist

    We are looking for businesses of all sizes to stock our bread and help us achieve our goal to get young people with autism into the workplace. Find out how to become a stockist here.

  • Get in touch

    Contact details for Bread & Beyond.

  • Dylan - Artisan Bakery Manager

    Dylan - Artisan Bakery Manager

    Dylan joined Bread & Beyond during its development in 2018 and is now running our training programme for young people as well as making amazing artisan bread.

  • Recognition in nationwide Bread Heroes awards scheme

    Recognition in nationwide Bread Heroes awards scheme

    Our Artisan Bakery Manager earned a "special mention" in the 2020 Tiptree World Bread Awards Heroes with Brook Food.

  • 5 star hygiene rating awarded

    5 star hygiene rating awarded

    We are delighted to have been awarded the maximum 5* hygiene rating by the Foods Standards Agency.

  • Accessibility

Latest tweet

  • Every week's #RealBreadWeek for the inspiring young people who have their work placements in our Bakery. This week… https://t.co/0UYd17EPZl

    25thFebruary, 2021 @breadbeyondUK
  • Our thanks to @BritishBaker for helping us to spread the word on the amazing things achieved in our bakery. https://t.co/CDm3r6oboC

    18thFebruary, 2021 @breadbeyondUK
  • 6 young people had their first taste of working in the bakery. Taster sessions for Brandon, Alfie, Zak, Peter, Rory… https://t.co/0lWJ9FfQbt

    11thFebruary, 2021 @breadbeyondUK
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Bread & Beyond, Hermitage, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9NU
Phone: +44 (0)1635 247202 Email: [email protected]

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