Empowering Change through Collaboration : PKL Group’s partnership with Half the Story

In the heart of Nottingham, Half the Story, a social enterprise bakery, is changing lives by providing meaningful employment to individuals facing significant social and economic barriers. With a mission to offer financial stability and personal growth through job creation, the bakery needed to expand its operations to achieve a larger impact. This is where PKL Group came in, specialists in temporary and permanent kitchen solutions, whose support came at a pivotal time. By donating a modular kitchen, PKL helped Half the Story increase production and, most importantly, its capacity to provide more employment opportunities.

The Challenge 

Half the Story was born out of a clear mission: to create jobs for individuals facing significant barriers to employment. Many of their employees have experienced social and economic challenges, making it difficult to secure stable work. Through the bakery, they provide not just jobs, but a pathway toward financial independence and personal development. 

However, as demand for their products grew, the bakery’s existing kitchen facility could no longer meet the needs of both production and growth. Scaling up was essential, but without the necessary infrastructure, Half the Story was limited in its capacity to hire more staff and expand its impact. 

The Solution 

After a successful mentorship program in 2023 between PKL Group and another social enterprise, Jubilee Events, Half the Story’s founder, Matt Parfitt, reached out to Karen Rumsey, COO of Lowe Corporation Europe. With a shared vision for creating long-term, sustainable social impact, PKL stepped in to provide a critical solution: a modular kitchen. 

This donation was a game-changer for the bakery. The new facility allowed Half the Story to dramatically increase production capacity, enabling the charity to hire more staff and reach more people in need of employment. Beyond the immediate boost to production, the partnership also laid the groundwork for long-term growth, with the bakery now able to explore expansion into other cities. 

Real Impact 

The modular kitchen, installed in Half the Story’s Nottingham warehouse, has become the foundation for significant change. With the ability to produce more baked goods, the bakery can now provide even more employment opportunities. Each job created means another individual has the chance to build a better future—one step closer to financial stability and personal development. 

One of the key outcomes has been the increase in job creation. As production scaled, so did the bakery’s ability to bring more disadvantaged individuals into their workforce. By focusing on hiring those facing significant barriers to employment, Half the Story is creating a ripple effect in the community, offering individuals not just a job, but a chance to rebuild their lives.

Karen Rumsey commented: “We believe in the power of authentic action—and this partnership reflects what we strive to achieve in the implementation of our ESG strategy, where we aim to create lasting impact as part of Our Plan for Good. For us, we want to make sure the actions we take are not for the sake of satisfying a tick box exercise but to make positive changes that genuinely embody our commitment to good. Our partnership with Half the Story exemplifies this approach, and it is incredibly fulfilling to see the difference we’re making together”.”

Matt Parfitt commented, “The support from PKL has been a game changer for Half the Story. The new kitchen has not only enabled us to scale up our production, but it has also allowed us to provide even more employment opportunities for those who need them the most. Each job we create helps someone take a step towards financial independence, stability, and a brighter future. By helping us grow, this partnership is directly impacting the lives of our employees and the communities we serve. It’s about more than just making biscuits – it’s about changing lives”.

Looking Forward 

Half the Story’s journey is far from over. With continued support from partners like PKL Group, the bakery is poised to expand its operations and increase its social impact. While Nottingham remains the focus for now, the charity has its sights set on broader horizons. By scaling their business model to new cities, Half the Story hopes to create more jobs, transform more lives, and continue its mission to empower individuals facing disadvantages.

The case of Half the Story and PKL Group demonstrates that impactful partnerships between businesses and social enterprises can drive meaningful change. This collaboration has shown how providing the right resources at the right time can lead to sustainable growth—both for the enterprise and the communities they serve.