The Bread Maker, a bakery and coffee house offering meaningful work and training to adults with learning disability, opened on 1st December 2006 at 50/52 Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen. The vision emerged from the notion that Aberdeen should have a business similar to the bakery and coffee shop based at the Camphill Community at Bieldside, Aberdeen, called Newton Dee.

The work to make this happen really took off in May 2000 when -the bread maker- obtained its charitable status. The key individuals who made the vision a reality were the Chairman (Dr. Denis Durno) and the Administrator (Sandra Williams).

The charity occupied offices at Woodlands Hospital, Cornhill Hospital, The Citadel and 48a Union Street before finally being based at 50/52 Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen.

The General Manager (Donald Anderson) was appointed in November 2005. With over twenty years' experience of the bakery business he played a key role in set up and continues to use this experience in managing an expanding business.

The Bakery Manager (Stewart Allison) also has over twenty years' experience in the bakery trade. Together with his assistant baker (David Wright) they have developed a wide range of hand-crafted bread and rolls as well as attractive confectionery.

The Continuous Personal Development Manager (Karen Cruickshank) plays a key role in the support and development of the skills and knowledge of our 23 apprentices. She has built on the work of her predecessor (Dorothy Cassidy) who helped to identify prospective apprentices. The role of the Continuous Personal Development Manager is key to the success of the business in enabling each apprentice to fulfil their full potential. The role contains many elements including the mastery of numeracy and literacy skills for each apprentice; enabling them to develop their social and communication skills; and assisting them to grow in confidence as they face the challenge of the many tasks which have to be understood and the skills required to complete them.

All staff, directors and volunteers have been involved in a series of disability awareness lectures, much to everyone's benefit.

The charity's success in opening the business on 1st December 2006 was the culmination of much hard work in identifying and purchasing premises and building up funds of nearly £900,000 to make the vision a reality.

The charity is particularly indebted to the Andrew Salvesen Charity Trust for purchasing the property and for the patronage of Angelica Salvesen.