Bread Ahead launches free baking skills programme for one million young people

Bread Ahead has launched The Future Bakers Project, a free skills initiative aiming to teach one million children and young people to bake over the next decade.

The programme is designed to give young people practical, hands-on experience in baking while building confidence, creativity, resilience and real-world life skills.

It will combine in-person workshops, downloadable recipes and a national digital learning platform to make baking education accessible beyond the classroom.

The initiative is led by Matthew Jones, founder of Bread Ahead, who launched the business in 2013 from a small stall at Borough Market before growing it into an internationally recognised bakery brand.

The launch event at Bread Ahead Borough will include free family workshops, live baking sessions and interactive learning activities, including scones, focaccia and children’s cookie workshops.

The Future Bakers Project will be delivered through weekly London workshops at Borough Market and Wembley, a digital platform offering recipes and learning resources, and partnerships with schools, youth organisations, charities and cultural institutions.

Supporting partners include Clarence Court, Disney and Marriage’s Flour, who will help deliver themed baking experiences and educational content.

The programme aims to reach 100,000 young people by 2028, 500,000 by 2032 and one million by 2036, with a focus on equipping the next generation with practical skills that support independence, confidence and future opportunity.