Darlington Bakery Launches Crowdfunder to Empower Local Young People

A much-loved Darlington bakery is rising to meet demand—not just for its organic sourdough and handmade bakes, but for its mission to support disadvantaged young people across the town.

Bakerman, a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Darlington town centre, has launched a Crowdfunder
campaign to raise funds for a larger bread oven as part of its next phase of growth. But this campaign is about far
more than baking.

Founded during lockdown in September 2020, Bakerman began as a small artisan bakery with a social purpose at its
heart: to create employment pathways for disadvantaged young people. With just one baker and a shop assistant in
the early days, the bakery has grown into a bustling local hub serving handmade bread, cakes, cookies and
savouries—all made using organic, sustainably grown and ethically sourced ingredients.

Now, the team has acquired a new premises next door to their current site, where they plan to relocate their shop.
This will allow them to transform their original space into a dedicated baking and training facility—offering real,
hands-on work experience for young adults facing significant life challenges.

“This isn’t just about bread,” says Dan Booth, Bakerman’s co-founder and head baker. “It’s about rebuilding
confidence, improving well-being, and helping young people who’ve faced exclusion, neurodivergence, poverty, or
mental health challenges find their place again. A bakery is the perfect environment—calming, structured, and full of
purpose.”

With increased space, the team hopes to extend their product range, ease the strain on overnight baking and most
importantly, offer structured support to the young people they aim to train.

Why it matters:
• The new oven will triple the bakery’s output, opening up new revenue streams and partnerships.

• Increased capacity means more hands-on training placements for young people, helping them gain real-
world skills in a nurturing, community-led environment.

• Every loaf sold supports their mission to create employment pathways for those who need it most.

How the public can help:
Bakerman’s Crowdfunder campaign seeks to raise enough funds to purchase a new, larger bread oven—a vital piece
of equipment that will unlock this next phase.

Supporters can contribute at:
� www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-us-buy-a-new-bread-oven

Backers will receive a variety of rewards, from free loaves and bakery tours to the satisfaction of supporting something truly transformative for the Darlington community.