Group rise to task of making bread

The art of baking bread is providing a creative outlet for participants of a local drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

Residents of Rosella House attend a program at Hope Springs Community Farm, which was established at Walkaway by Hope Community Services last year.

The bread-making enterprise is used to teach vocational and life skills to participants to help them improve their lives.

Program participant Rebecca said at first she was surprised people bought the low glycaemic index sourdough bread which was sold at local markets, however she enjoyed the task and the feedback had been encouraging.

“I thought it wouldn’t be any good or people wouldn’t want to buy it because they knew people in rehab made it, ” Rebecca said.

“But people have been really accepting and positive.

“I’m really glad people like it.

“It makes me happy to know that we can make something good. That is a good feeling.”

Hope Springs Farm staff member and leader of the bread-making group, Sara Donnarumma, said as well as drawing on participants’ creativity, bread-making also helped them work with others and see their own potential.

“People with alcohol and drug issues come to us feeling like a problem to be solved, ” she said.

“We see them as potential to be fulfilled, ” she said.

“Initially, it’s hard to understand what bread-making has to do with healing.

“But what it provides is an outlet for creative energy, it builds accountability and responsibility.”

Ms Donnarumma said bread- making required care and attention to detail and developed teamwork and discipline which were skills needed for a fulfilling and successful life.

“We sell a loaf of bread to someone at the market, and we get positive feedback. They realise through hard work they are capable of making something wonderful outside their comfort zone.”

Hope’s Mid West services manager Lesley Evans said the yeast-free bread was in high demand at the markets and often sold out, which was satisfying for participants.

“The best part is seeing the sense of pride coming from the baking group when people comment on how good the bread is, ” Ms Evans said.