Big Rivery Bakery in Shielfdield, Newcastle upon Tyne is supporting Britain through the cost-of-living crisis in any way they can. Originally set up over a decade ago by partners Andy Haddon and Gail Lawler for the local community, this small business is making a big difference to spread its warmth and kindness nation-wide to support those in need.
The bakery provides free hearty meals such as soup to the local community and beyond every single Wednesday for those in need. This service is accessible to everyone, as Lawler explains that “It’s about inclusivity. Some people might not feel comfortable, but if we offer free food to everyone on that day, they don’t feel so alone in asking for help.”
Owner of Big River Bakery Gail Lawler on the company mission of ‘Big River Bakery’:
“Human empathy should be a part of business. It should be a part of life”
Bakery owner and manager Gail Lawler
With a 38% increase in average price for a detached property in Newcastle upon Tyne from September 2018-September 2023, inflation is having an immense impact on the city. Which is exactly why Big River puts inclusivity at the very core of its model.
Free weekly Wednesday meals at Big River Bakery. Image credit:bigriverbakery.myshopify.com/blogs/news/october-2023
‘Pay as you feel’ days are also available six days out of the week at the bakery. Customers can come in and pick up a small card to subtly give to their server, as a way to tell them they require free food without having to ask for it. An estimated 75 people per week use this service according to Lawler, as the numbers have increased gradually over time due to the current cost-of-living crisis.
This generosity does, however, come at a price. The bakery has often experienced abuse of their services, resulting in them having to turn people away from free services. “Obviously we’d say never judge anyone, but it is something that we have to manage, and people have got quite angry at us if we try to manage it” says Lawler.
Big River is dedicated to serving children in the local community, with the bakery providing “free food for children at the local school every day during term time”, in the form of nutritious breakfast bags, including healthy banana muffins with oats, yoghurts and fresh fruits.
Each bag costs just £2 per bag, saving each local child receiving them £10 per week on meals during term time, a much-needed service considering that “21 out of the North East’s 29 constituencies have more than one in three children living below the poverty line”, according to the North East Child Poverty Commission. Businesses like Big River are making a massive difference to prevent disadvantages of deprived children in education.
Lawler has also published two children’s books inspired by the bakery and its’ message, ’ The Adventures of Scotty the Stottie’ and its charming sequel, ‘The Adventures of Super Scotty the Stottie Cake’ to promote the bakery’s belief in ‘The Power of The Stottie’.
Gail Lawler’s first children’s book. Image credits: Rosie Brennan
The first book was published 18 months ago by Lawler and her illustrator and friend Jane Burn. It tells the heartwarming tale of a freshly-baked stottie cake named Scotty, as he explores Newcastle making mischief with friends he makes along the journey, like ‘Tim the Tin’ and ‘Colin the Crow’. Profits from this go towards free children’s baking classes at the bakery, as Lawler writes in the preface that the story is “For Children – everywhere”.
Gail Lawler’s second children’s book. Image credits: Rosie Brennan
The following children’s book ‘The Adventures of Super Scotty the Stottie Cake’ was published recently. It explores our hero Scotty and his dream of having superpowers, the adventures he has along the way, and his heart-warming visit to the Freeman Hospital.
Half of the profits are being donated to the Children’s Heart Unit Fund, raising money to support children and families receiving treatment at the Freeman Hospital, as well as many other hospitals caring for cardiac patients throughout the North of England, with the other half being used to support any children’s projects at the bakery.
“We’re all about kindness and being inclusive”
Gail Lawler, bakery co-owner and manager
Since January 2023, the bakery has sent out a weekly free Kindness Cookie . Customers can fill in an online form to nominate a loved one to receive a free delicious cookie as an act of kindness. Gail Lawler shared her intentions behind this initiative and the incredible impact is has had on people around the UK:
Kindness Cookie from Big River Bakery, Image Credits: BigRiverBakery.myshopify.com
Big River has also run an employability programme, to kick-start careers for those least likely to gain employment elsewhere, such as ex-convicts or those with learning disabilities. “It was hard getting them back on that road to getting a job and getting that confidence to become part of society, but it’s really important” said Lawler. Over 100 people have been through the programme, gaining skills, experience and qualifications at the bakery and going on to further and better their lives.
Big River is the very epitome of generosity and inclusivity. The very message of the bakery stands for love and acceptance for all. Plus, they have utterly exquisite stotties, what’s not to like?