Crust & Core: Challenging stigma through grit, skill and bakes

In the 15 years of Iswar Sankalpa’s existence, we focused on creating a choice for people with psychosocial disabilities. This movement has matured to the point where the choice allows them to lead as normal a life as is possible. Our engagement has extended beyond supporting the women through clinical recovery.

We often pass by homeless persons without giving them a second glance. What most of us do not realise is that these individuals were just like us before being dehumanised. They lost basic things we take for granted — name, address, friends, relationships, identity proof, livelihood and aspirations. The result is that we don’t only work on clinical recovery, but social rehabilitation and the core of that work is skilling them in sewing, art, craft and bakery that can empower them to earn an independent living. This is how Crust & Core bakery (19/3 Pitambar Ghatak Lane, near Chetla police station) came into existence in 2018 — the only Kolkata café that trains and employs the psychosocially disabled.

People with psychosocial disabilities are viewed as people with no capabilities. I wanted to create a space where customers can walk in and try the food made by an individual suffering from severe psychosis and recognise that such people are capable of delivering something that tastes as good as from any other bakery — footfalls driven by quality over pity.

Why a bakery

The interior of the bakery

We launched a bakery for a specific reason: baking requires repetitive behaviour. If one is well-versed with the process, then it can be carried out in an auto-pilot mode. Since most of our women suffer from acute psychosis and schizophrenia, it is easy for them to engage in repetitive tasks matched with their energy level. For example, a person who is depressive or withdrawn is assigned to the creation of the shells of quiches and the reality is that they could be speaking to themselves but still engaged in the process without mistakes. Those suffering from manic manifestations are assigned more vigorous tasks (kneading dough or cleaning).

We have developed a comprehensive nine month training process. Just remember that there were some women who had never seen a cake and were not entirely functional, but from that point to whipping up outstanding cakes, brownies and cookies has been a dramatic achievement. Even better, they venture out, interact with customers, learn new skills, improve their functionality, enhance their interpersonal skills and widen their ability to address complex tasks. In the last five years, we have trained almost 30 women, who now lead normal lives.

Sushma Malachapure was around 30 years old when we brought her from Garden Reach police station. Initially, she avoided everyone; she was so distrustful that she lied about her name. This is what we discovered: her alcoholic husband and father-in-law had been physically abusive. Upon recovery, she enrolled for a functional literacy class and involved herself in kitchen work. That is when she desired to return to her mother and daughter and we located them. I am happy to say that Sushma is presently working at a bread factory in Karnataka.

Currently, seven women are undergoing training in our cafe. In the past six months, we generated revenues of Rs 5 lakh and were awarded contracts by organisations like CenturyPly, the US consulate and American Center. What works in our favour is that we never choose cost-effectiveness over quality. We use quality ingredients and the result is that we have developed a brand for good taste.

There have been instances when customers have discovered the background of the person with psychosocial disability. “Yeh kaise ho sakta hai…” has been the usual response, followed by appreciation.

Bakers’ speak

In 2018, Ishwar Sankalpa came to our neighbourhood for a survey and suggested that I visit a doctor. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I was assured that the illness would subside if I kept myself productively engaged. I joined Ishwar Sankalpa where I learned different skills. I joined the café in August 2021 and the result is that the café has evolved me into a happier and confident person. The fact that customers love my bread and puff has given me a sense of purpose. My husband and my children are proud of my turnaround and I have emerged as the first woman in the family to work for a living.

— Shamali Dutta, 42, Kolkata

I was assaulted on the head following a property dispute. Since then, I suffered from anger issues, leading to self-harm. I escaped home and joined Ishwar Sankalpa in 2018 and the café in 2021. Before joining the café, I would hallucinate and ‘hear’ things. The hallucinations are under control now; the work therapy has helped. I open the café each morning. Best of all, customers love my brownies!

— Tumpa Mondal, 33, Midnapore