At Step and Stone, we know that meaningful work changes lives. Yet too many adults with learning differences and disabilities still face barriers in the UK.

In fact, only 54.2% of disabled adults aged 16–64 are in employment, compared with 82% of non-disabled adults (UK Parliament Research Briefings, 2023). That gap isn’t just a statistic – it represents real people who deserve the chance to contribute, learn, and feel valued.

 

We created Step and Stone to show what’s possible when people are given the right support. Our Bristol-based bakery exists to provide inclusive employment opportunities that celebrate ability, build confidence, and give people real independence.

 

What Inclusive Employment Means to Us

For us, inclusive employment isn’t about ticking a box – it’s about creating roles where people can thrive. That means:

 

  • Matching responsibilities to individual strengths
  • Providing training, mentoring, and support
  • Offering a welcoming and flexible environment
  • Focusing on skill development and confidence

Every day, our team members gain both practical and soft skills – from baking and packaging to teamwork, communication, and time management. These are not just bakery skills; they are tools for life, opening doors to further employment opportunities across the community.

Why We Believe Inclusive Employment Matters

We’ve seen first-hand how work transforms lives. Inclusive employment provides more than a wage – it gives structure, social connection, and a sense of contribution.

Research shows that workplaces that embrace neurodiverse talent are more productive, creative, and resilient. At Step and Stone, we experience that every day: when people are valued for what they can do, everyone benefits – the individual, the team, and the wider community.

Our Approach as a Social Enterprise

Being a social enterprise allows us to reinvest every penny into creating more inclusive jobs. Profits go back into training programmes, mentoring, and expanding opportunities for people with learning differences, including those with Down syndrome.

We also support other businesses that want to create inclusive workplaces, sharing what we’ve learned about empowering neurodiverse talent and removing barriers to employment.

Every Bake Has a Purpose

When you buy our award-winning lavosh flatbreads or biscotti, you’re doing more than enjoying delicious food – you’re supporting jobs for people with learning disabilities. Each product represents someone learning, contributing, and gaining confidence in a role designed to help them flourish.

Inclusive employment is at the heart of everything we do, and it shows that business can be both purposeful and excellent.

Our Vision for the Future

We want a UK where inclusive employment is the norm, not the exception. Every new role we create at Step and Stone helps to close the employment gap for adults with learning disabilities and proves that people of all abilities have something valuable to offer.

By supporting Step and Stone – whether through buying our products, sharing our story, or partnering with us – you’re helping us create meaningful opportunities, expand inclusive workplaces, and inspire other businesses to do the same.

Together, we can build a workforce where everyone has the chance to contribute, learn, and feel proud of what they achieve.