Hi, my name is Samantha Dobson. I am the founder of Cracked Pot Enterprises CIC (CPE) and it's first trading arm, Cracked Bean Roastery (CBR). The central purpose of CPE is to create social enterprise businesses that are economically viable and act as a vehicle to support people who have experienced long-term unemployment, by providing opportunities for training, volunteering, mentoring and employment.
In January 2021, I gave up my job working for a homelessness charity called Oasis Community Housing to start this venture, and since then I have been training in the artisan skill of coffee roasting and barista training.
Cracked Bean Roastery is based at Oxclose Church, Washington, Tyne and Wear. Gavin Rushton, the leader at Oxclose Church, and his team already have a employability training programme, as well as a play cafe that they run to help support the local community. CBR will be able to expand their training portfolio, especially with the Barista skills training that will compliment their hospitality training.
I love people, and my professional career has been focussed on helping people overcome obstacles they face to have a more fulfilled life, to have hope and purpose for the future. I'm proud of where I live, in the city of Sunderland. By delivering this project, I hope to support local people and help boost the local economy!
Please check out my website www.crackedbeanroastery.co.uk for further information.