When Lara first reached out to Great Places’ Employability Service, she had no idea she was beginning the journey toward launching her own food business. Living in Salford and balancing a part‑time cleaning job with demanding caring responsibilities, she faced pressures that left little room for personal ambition. “I came to the UK 14 years ago for my children, not for myself,” she said. “I wanted them to have more opportunities than they would have had in Portugal.”
Her first contact with Great Places came through a simple text message promoting a digital skills course. Lara attended an information session, and a few months later, she received another message about our Boss It self‑employment course. This time, something clicked.
Gill, Employability Coach Team Leader, immediately recognised her potential. “Lara was and is enthusiastic. She wanted to improve her situation and she had lots of ideas,” Gill explained. “She attended all the sessions and took everything she could from them.”
With a background in food safety and experience running a small arts‑and‑crafts business in Portugal, Lara had always imagined creating something of her own in the UK. “My English wasn’t good when I first arrived,” she said. “I couldn’t work in food safety here and I was looking after my children and my mum. But I always wanted to run a business in the UK, I just didn’t know where to start.”
The three‑session self‑employment course gave her the structure she needed. “The course was very useful. It gave me the tools, tips and confidence to begin,” she said. Gill supported her through planning, brainstorming ideas, writing her business plan and building step‑by‑step action lists. She also linked Lara to external resources such as Enterprising You business mentors and Build a Business workshops.
But the journey wasn’t straightforward. After completing the course, Lara faced a period of ill health that forced her to pause any business plans. “We gave her the time and space she needed,” said Gill. “Our support is flexible. We were there for her when she was ready to restart, even months later.”
When she returned, she was ready to go all‑in. With one‑to‑one coaching and funding support from Great Places to help her buy ingredients and equipment, Lara launched The Bee and The Crow, named after the Manchester bee and the Portuguese crow. She now makes and sells Pastéis de Nata, cakes and traditional Portuguese pastries inspired by her home city of Lisbon.
“People love my food,” she said proudly. “Great Places helped me believe I could do this. I don’t feel alone — when I need support there’s always someone to listen and help me progress.”
Lara now trades at local makers’ markets, learning what sells and refining her products each week. Her next goal is to grow the business enough to leave her part‑time job. “I want to sell more often, reach more customers and build something for myself”, she said.
For Gill, Lara’s progress reflects the heart of the Employability Service: “We support customers wherever they’re at — employment, training, volunteering or self‑employment. Lara’s journey shows the difference consistent, flexible support can make.”
Lara agrees wholeheartedly: “I would definitely recommend Great Places. Sometimes you just need someone to help you step out of your comfort zone, and they did that for me.”
About our Employability Service:
Our Employability Service is there to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity for our customers. Our Employability Coaches empower individuals to unlock their strengths, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward their career goals. Whether it’s through tailored coaching, practical job search support, or helping people navigate the world of work, we’re here to make employability real, relevant, and achievable.
We help people find jobs but more importantly we help them find direction, purpose, and the tools to progress.
Our Employability Service provides one-to-one support for anyone living in our households seeking employment, self-employment, training, volunteering, or education.
We offer mentoring and coaching through various channels, including face-to-face, phone, and virtual/email.
Services include providing sessions on job search strategies, guidance on job applications, interview techniques and mock interviews.
If you are interested in this service, please contact your NSM or email: Community.Investment@greatplaces.org.uk
