Since 2000, Preston has consistently ranked on the Index of Multiple Deprivation’s top 20% ‘most deprived’ areas in the UK. The  2021 Census showed that  27.4% of residents identified their ethnicity as “other than white”. Since minoritised communities are traditionally underserved by mainstream enterprise schemes, Preston Co-operative Development Network (PCDN) in conjunction with Kind Communities CIC , designed and delivered a structured enterprise training programme for women cooks from these  communities. The programme was funded by Preston City Council  through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as a direct response to stated community needs.


Entitled ‘Lady Boss’, the programme engaged with a group of 10 non-registered, home- based cooks from minority communities who were interested in gaining the requisite food safety qualification, registering with the local authority for food safety purposes, and incorporating as a business. 70% of the group came from Preston’s most deprived wards, and 60% were non- native English speakers. To ensure language and cultural barriers were overcome, and legal and technical concepts understood, the programme was led by a multi-lingual PCDN Consultant, with programme mentors and speakers sharing the group background and fluent in community languages. All were women, in accordance with the group’s preferences.


The 6 full- day programme consisted of workshops followed by facilitator-guided small group support, with mentors who had faced and successfully overcome the same challenges as group participants. By the end of the programme, all members had achieved Level 2 Food Safety certification, 30% had successfully passed a home kitchen Environmental Health inspection (40% currently have inspections pending), and 70% had successfully started trading. 


Women reported the highest satisfaction levels with the programme experience and training, and have started offering catering services for corporate and social events. 


Visit them on Instagram @ladybosspreston

The amount the course has covered and the support and training received. It’s really helped me build my confidence.
Adeela
Course Participant
I was able to understand how to start a home business and really enjoyed every week session.
Sangeetha
Course Participant
The trainer was very friendly. She explained everything very nicely, and shared her own experience which was also helpful for us
Maria
Course Participant​

Since 2000, Preston has consistently ranked on the Index of Multiple Deprivation’s top 20% ‘most deprived’ areas in the UK. The  2021 Census showed that  27.4% of residents identified their ethnicity as “other than white”. Since minoritised communities are traditionally underserved by mainstream enterprise schemes, Preston Co-operative Development Network (PCDN) in conjunction with Kind Communities CIC , designed and delivered a structured enterprise training programme for women cooks from these  communities. The programme was funded by Preston City Council  through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as a direct response to stated community needs.

Entitled ‘Lady Boss’, the programme has engaged with a group of 10 non-registered, home- based cooks from minority communities interested in gaining the requisite food safety qualification, registering with the local authority for food safety purposes, and incorporating as a business.

70% of the group came from Preston’s most deprived wards, and 60% were non- native English speakers. To ensure language and cultural barriers were overcome, and legal and technical concepts understood, the programme was led by a multi-lingual PCDN Consultant, with programme mentors and speakers sharing the group background and fluent in community languages. All were women, in accordance with the group’s preferences.

The 6 full- day programme consisted of workshops followed by facilitator-guided small group support, with mentors who had faced and successfully overcome the same challenges as group participants. By the end of the programme, all members had achieved Level 2 Food Safety certification, 30% had successfully passed a home kitchen Environmental Health inspection (40% currently have inspections pending), and 70% had successfully started trading. Women reported the highest satisfaction levels with the programme experience and training.