Luminary becomes independent from the umbrella charity which  incubated the early years, and this enabled the launch of our second bakery / training centre in Camden, which was opened by HRH The Duchess of Sussex, after featuring Luminary in her September issue of Vogue.

This year was a big one for the bakery, as we moved beyond simply selling our cakes to other cafes and wholesalers, but began selling directly to our incredible customers.

The fresh crescent moon style of our cakes became our signature and gave so many the opportunity to celebrate life's big occasions, all while purchasing with purpose.

After a successful round of Crowdfunding, we moved into our first building on Allen Road in September 2016! 

Finally we had a space to call our own, with a cafe on the ground floor and a training room in the basement to run our courses. 

The first group of women to complete our bakery training programme - run in a small church kitchen in Bethnal Green - graduated in March 2015.

They invited friends and family, showcased their impressive bakes, shared a little of their stories, and we celebrated them. These women and the many others who have graduated since are now making their way in the world, building their careers and inspiring us every day.

In 2013 Luminary's founder Alice Williams along with some friends, while working in a cafe in East London and through volunteering locally, met homeless women who were caught up in the sex industry. Women who had so much potential but had very few opportunities available to them. 

So, combining their skills in social work, business and baking, they created  Luminary: a place where through holistic training, employability, and community women can change the trajectory of their lives.