Entitled 'Lady Boss', the programme engaged with a group of 10 non-registered, home- based cooks from minority communities who were interested in gaining the requisite food safety qualification, registering with the local authority for food safety purposes, and incorporating as a business. 70% of the group came from Preston's most deprived wards, and 60% were non- native English speakers. To ensure language and cultural barriers were overcome, and legal and technical concepts understood, the programme was led by a multi-lingual PCDN Consultant, with programme mentors and speakers sharing the group background and fluent in community languages. All were women, in accordance with the group's preferences.

The 6 full- day programme consisted of workshops followed by facilitator-guided small group support, with mentors who had faced and successfully overcome the same challenges as group participants. By the end of the programme, all members had achieved Level 2 Food Safety certification, 30% had successfully passed a home kitchen Environmental Health inspection (40% currently have inspections pending), and 70% had successfully started trading. Women reported the highest satisfaction levels with the programme experience and training.

Although the intention of the programme had been to encourage individual business set up and growth, the group expressed its hope of collaboratively purchasing ingredients, cooking and catering. Such an opportunity was provided by Preston City Council's International Women's Day, when the group worked together to cook and serve a three-course meal for 50 people. A further invitation has been received from the University of Central Lancashire, and it is hoped that by working together for such catering orders, the group may be receptive to forming a co-operative. Further support and capacity building will be provided by PCDN to facilitate this.

The Lady Boss programme has highlighted the importance of understanding and responding to societal changes. The message of co-operatives and co-operation is one we know resonates widely across the population, but will require a nuanced approach and sensitive allocation of resources to include historically disenfranchised groups.