 A Cwmbran woman who lost her job at 63 has turned her hobby of baking into a business with support from Torfaen council.
Dot Johnson from Thornhill worked for an education training company but was made redundant in 2016 when the company lost a significant contract.
A keen baker all her life, she was encouraged by her children to turn her hobby into a new career and visited the Job Centre to see what support was available.
Dot was put in contact with a project designed to help entrepreneurs living in Communities First areas in Torfaen turn their ideas into a viable business, and is now working full time running Dot’s Cakes, supplying cakes for all occasions.
She said: “I’m a doer and when I was made redundant I couldn’t just let the grass grow under my feet.
“I have always been a keen baker in my spare time, and people have been telling me for years that I should be selling my cakes.
“I was put in touch with the council through Careers Wales and the support I have received has been fantastic. They helped me write and develop a business plan, and secure a weekly Wednesday slot in Pontypool Indoor Market. They also helped with publicity, producing business cards and flyers to help promote my business, and put me in touch with Santander bank, which has schemes to help new businesses.”
Further support was provided by Torfaen Effect, a panel of volunteers drawn from the Torfaen business community who provide free, confidential support and advice.
Richard Murphy from Communities First said: “Dot is an inspiration. Being made redundant late in life is not easy, but she has risen to the challenge and is quickly building up a following of regular customers.
“Communities First areas are some of the most deprived communities in the country with high levels of unemployment, however, there are many people in these communities that have valuable skills and expertise, and just need some support to turn these skills into a business.
“With additional support from the council and Torfaen Effect we can offer a full package of business support and I would urge anyone with a business idea to get in touch to see how we may be able to help.”
For information contact Richard Murphy on 01495 742894 or Richard.murphy@torfaen.gov.uk
Mae menyw o Gwmbrân a gollodd ei swydd yn 63 oed wedi troi ei diddordeb mewn pobi yn fusnes gyda chefnogaeth gan gyngor Torfaen.
Roedd Dot Johnson o Fryn Eithin yn gweithio i gwmni hyfforddi ond cafodd ei gwneud yn ddi-waith yn 2016 pan gollodd y cwmni gytundeb mawr.
Fel pobydd brwd, cafodd anogaeth gan ei phlant i droi ei hobi yn yrfa newydd ac fe aeth at y Ganolfan Waith i weld pa gefnogaeth oedd ar gael.
Rhoddwyd Dot mewn cysylltiad â phrosiect sydd yn ceisio cynorthwyo pobl busnes sy’n byw mewn ardaloedd Cymunedau yn Gyntaf yn Nhorfaen i droi eu syniadau yn fusnesau dichonol, ac mae hi nawr yn gweithio’n llawn amser yn rhedeg Dot’s Cakes ac yn darparu teisennau ar gyfer pob math o achlysuron.
Dywedodd: “Rwy’n berson gweithgar a phan cefais fy ngwneud yn ddi-waith, fedrwn i ddim llaesu dwylo.
“Rydw i wastad wedi bod yn bobydd brwd yn fy amser sbâr ac mae pobl wedi bod yn dweud ers blynyddoedd y dylwn i fod yn gwerthu fy nheisennau.
“Fe ges i fy rhoi mewn cysylltiad â’r cyngor gan Gyrfa Cymru ac mae’r cefnogaeth yr ydw i wedi derbyn wedi bod yn wych. Fe rhoddon nhw help i fi ysgrifennu a datblygu cynllun busnes a sicrhau safle yn Marchnad Pont-y-pŵl bob dydd Mercher. Fe rhoddon nhw help hefyd gyda chyhoeddusrwydd trwy gynhyrchu cardiau busnes a thaflenni i helpu hybu’r busnes a’m rhoi i mewn cysylltiad â banc Santander, sydd â chynlluniau i helpu busnesau newydd.”
Cafwyd cefnogaeth bellach gan Torfaen Effect, panel o wirfoddolwyr o gymuned busnes Torfaen sy’n rhoi cyngor a chymorth cyfrinachol yn rhad ac am ddim.
Dywedodd Richard Murphy o Cymunedau yn Gyntaf: “Mae Dot yn ysbrydoliaeth. ‘Dyw hi ddim yn hawdd cael eich gwneud yn ddi-waith yn hwyrach mewn bywyd. Mae hi wedi ymateb i’r her ac yn gyflym iawn mae hi wedi denu nifer o gwsmeriaid rheolaidd.
“Rhai o ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig y wlad yw ardaloedd Cymunedau yn Gyntaf ac mae ganddyn nhw lefelau uchel o ddiweithdra, serch hynny mae gan lawer o bobl yn y cymunedau yma sgiliau ac arbenigedd gwerthfawr, ac mae ond angen ychydig o gefnogaeth arnyn nhw i droi’r sgiliau yma’n fusnes.
“Gyda chefnogaeth ychwanegol gan y cyngor a Torfaen Effect gallwn gynnig pecyn cyflawn o gefnogaeth i fusnesau ac fe fuaswn i’n annog unrhyw un sydd â syniad am fusnes i gysylltu â ni i weld sut y gallwn helpu.”
Am fwy o wybodaeth cysylltwch â Richard Murphy ar 01495 742894 neu Richard.murphy@torfaen.gov.uk
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