MacsMAD Leaders explained in depth

Miss Macaroon is a Birmingham based macaroon company with a sweet twist. Unlike other brands of its kind, Miss Macaroon is committed to making a positive social impact with 100% of profits being invested back into the community. 

The MacsMAD programme (or Macaroons Make a Difference) is a training course tailored to helping young people aged 18-35 overcome any personal barriers to employment. Every Macaroon purchased is also an investment in a young person’s future. 

The program has also branched off into a MacsMAD leaders programme, co-created by MacsMAD graduates Denise and Jacqueline with the facilitation support of our Special Adviser Diane Rance. The aim of the programme is to offer further support to those who have graduated from the MacsMAD scheme and keep them involved. 

The development of MacsMAD Leaders has been funded by The National Lottery Awards for All grant fund. With this funding, our founding cohort of MacsMAD Leaders have been able to develop the programme. The training is focused on up-skilling MacsMAD graduates to support young people with complex needs, visiting partner organisations like Job centres to promote the MacsMAD course,  and to advise the Miss Macaroon Board of Directors. 

How will we change lives?

The MacsMAD course is funded by Miss Macaroon’s customers. With every macaroon purchased, the profits go to supporting the MacsMAD cohort to build skills to give them the best chance for getting into employment. Trainees receive work experience, qualifications as well as a 5-year career plan. 

Once this scheme is over, there is also the opportunity to become a part of the MacsMAD Leaders Programme. The programme builds on the skills learned from MacsMAD, allowing young people to further build their confidence and building more transferable skills. MacsMAD Leaders includes Safeguarding training from  Our Place Support and Mental Health Awareness Training from Altruist Enterprises. 

When will this happen?

MacsMAD Leaders programme has been running for a little over a year, and is ongoing for any MacsMAD graduates that would like to volunteer their time to raise awareness of the MacsMAD scheme, whilst also gaining valuable experience and leadership skills. The MacsMAD Leaders have recruited their second cohort of trainees to start the programme of training and use their feedback to further refine the programme. 

Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of Miss Macaroon’s customers. You can keep up to date with the MacsMAD programme and MacsMAD Leaders on our website, Twitter or Instagram!