4 minute read
Nurturing potential to change lives for the better
Kemi Madumere, Director and Founder of Brighter Futures, talks to Karen McLauchlan about helping people with learning disabilities have their chance to really shine.
Within minutes of talking to Kemi Madumere, you can’t help but be inspired by her drive and passion to put people with learning disabilities on the path to a better future.
She is Co-founder and Director of several businesses that provide education, support and opportunities for adults with special needs to help them navigate their journey towards greater independence and fulfilment.
“Seeing people with learning disabilities go on to thrive in the workplace is what I love to see,” she said. “Seeing them flourish as confident, reliable employees is wonderful –and what inspires me to do more.”
Kemi stepped into the often challenging world of special needs support six years ago – a decision that has led to the evolution of a number of inter-connected Woolwichbased businesses which she runs with fellow Director, and husband, Chris.
Her journey started with Compass Supported Living, a provider of residential care and supported living in an around London – for those with complex needs or challenging behaviour.
“While we were supporting people with a place to live, we’d ask what they did during the day,” she explained. “Often the answer was ‘nothing’, which didn’t make sense to me. Because of their challenging behaviour there was nowhere for them to go which didn’t seem right.”
To solve that challenge we created the Brighter Futures Project, a life skills hub based in Woolwich. Through therapies such as gardening, music, cooking, art and computer skills, it nurtures personal growth and development.
“This is a place to make friends, enjoy new activities and learn life skills,” she explained. “But we also had very young adults coming to us who didn’t need to be in supported living and didn’t need to be in a day centre. They had the ability to work, but traditional colleges weren’t suitable. They needed somewhere else that would offer them time and patience to reach their potential.”
And so the Brighter Futures Specialist College was launched, providing vocational training to equip students with the skills and experience to thrive in the world of work
“Students spend 70 per cent of their time working and learning on the job and 30 per cent in the classroom,” she said. “People work in areas such as floristry, barista skills and catering – all practical roles. The longerterm ambition is to see them move into employment with another business. That’s the goal.”
This practical work ethos saw the launch in May 2023 of the Camouflage Café in Thamesmead which is staffed by young people with learning disabilities, so they gain real-life work skills while providing a bridge to employment opportunities.
And it’s this hands-on learning philosophy that has led to further partnerships –including a new collaboration with one of the biggest names in the hospitality sector.
“It’s been a good year,” smiles Kemi, “we’ve secured some ground-breaking partnerships which have been transformational for us including a collaboration with Claridge’s, which I’m so excited about.”
The world-famous luxury Art Deco hotel in the heart of London’s Mayfair has teamed up with Brighter Futures so students can work with the hotel’s floristry team helping create beautiful displays throughout the hotel.
Brighter Futures has also signed a partnership with Southern Housing where it is taking over an entire floor of its Bentham House over-55s independent living scheme in Woolwich where students will help run a restaurant, café, salon and a gym at the site which is home to almost 250 residents.
“We are aiming to go live in November and our young people will be working with industry specialists Monday to Saturday,” said Kemi.
“It’s a very exciting development for us and we can’t wait to get going with it.”
Brighter Futures is also extending its links with Peabody Community Foundation which supported us by giving a home to our Café Camouflage at the Mooring Sociable Club in
Thamesmead where we started our very first barista internship program.
“Peabody has given us a community garden,” said Kemi. “We are planning a floristry course with Claridge’s that they will certify for us, plus we can grow our own fresh produce.”
Other 2025 wins include setting up a recruitment company and seeing the college gaining approval from the Department for Education.
In recent year’s Kemi’s hard work was recognised by SELCC when they won the Best New Business in the Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards 2023. They were given free membership of the Chamber for a year and they continue to be a member.
“Being part of the Chamber is invaluable,” said Kemi, “it’s the perfect place to bridge that gap between education and employment. The Chamber gives us the chance to meet, talk and connect with businesses – it’s a meeting of minds and making decisions together, which is so important.”
Despite a hectic 2025 Kemi is still ambitious for more. “I’d like our model to be more widely adopted, for it to be the norm – seeing young people taking a more vocational route, but also seeing employers be more open to collaborating with us.
“There’s only 5.1 per cent of young adults registered with a learning disability in employment, which is a ridiculously low number. My ambition is to grow the school, have more branches across the country as well as more skills hubs. We already have new hub locations in Lewisham and Lambeth. So we are growing.
“I’d like to strengthen our recruitment arm, so we have more partnerships with other organisations. I’d love to see more companies come on board with us. Working with someone like Claridge’s sends out an important message. If they can work with us, then so can any business.
“And I’d love to set up more social enterprises like the café. It’s so important for changing people’s perceptions and for people with learning disabilities to be seen and show what they can achieve.”
She added: “I work with students who’ve often been out of education, excluded, or found school completely overwhelming. Many arrive with no confidence and very few practical skills. But after just a short time with us, you see a transformation. Suddenly, they’re beaming with pride because they can make a latte or a tea, or take an order at the till. For them and their families, it’s not just a coffee — it’s proof they’re capable, valued, and moving forward.
“Parents’ reactions are also powerful. Many have been told other institutions can’t look after their child, perhaps they may have been excluded or expelled. Then we see them in tears because they’re being served a cup of tea, and they can’t believe it’s their son or daughter doing that.
“It’s very emotional for me when someone leaves us and moves on to new employment, but there’s an incredible sense of pride and joy.”
