This International Women’s Day, the Dr. Martens Foundation joined forces with Dr. Martens to spotlight a partnership rooted in creativity, resilience and opportunity.
Behind the counter at Luminary Bakery, baking is about far more than sweet treats. It’s about creating pathways forward for women facing some of life’s toughest challenges - including gender-based violence, exploitation, homelessness, and barriers to employment.
With the Luminary’s bakes now being stocked in the Doctors Orders café at the Dr. Martens 39 Brewer Street store, we spent time behind the scenes with the bakery team alongside Dr. Martens, capturing the care, craft and community that shape the space every day.
Based in the heart of Stoke Newington, Luminary Bakery and the Luminary Charity combine training, support work, community building and pathways to employment - all whilst bringing delicious sweet treats, baked goods and coffee to the world through their cafe and partnerships.
In 2025 this translated to:
- 80% of women completing our programme reached independence with 76% moving into work, education, training or volunteering.
- 3,700 hours of 1:1 support.
- 202 therapy sessions 82 days of work experience, 1,612 hours of apprenticeships creating real-life impact.
The Dr. Martens Foundation has backed Luminary’s mission since 2022. With funding from the Foundation across 2022–2024, the Luminary Charity was able to expand these life-changing training, mentoring, and support programmes.
Late last year, that partnership came full circle with Luminary Bakery’s goods taking pride of place in Dr. Martens’ Doctors Orders café. Every purchase champions strength, community, and defying the odds by contributing to the vital tools Luminary provides and helping to spread the word about their mission.
Luminary’s work demonstrates what can happen when women are met with the right support, opportunities and community at the moments they need it most. Through every training session, mentoring conversation, shift in the kitchen and coffee served across the counter, they are helping women build greater stability, confidence and independence for the future.
Thank you to Luminary for helping women re-write their futures.
Support them by visiting the Luminary Bakery Cafe at 71-73 Allen Rd, London N16 8RY. You can also purchase their pastries at the Doctor’s Orders Café at 39 Brewer St, London.
