Woman’s Initiative to Bake Birthday Cakes for Homeless Individuals

An individual has undertaken the task of baking complimentary birthday cakes for homeless individuals, aiming to demonstrate that they are valued. The organization, Consider it Cakes Cymru, comprises volunteer bakers dedicated to bringing joy to those who might otherwise feel overlooked on their special day. Katy Davies, 28, noted that birthdays for numerous families and young children can be disregarded due to a lack of resources and the presence of more pressing concerns. However, she stated that “the thought behind a stranger baking a birthday cake for somebody will just bring some hope to them”. Approximately 25 to 30 bakers currently contribute their time, establishing links with recipients through various channels, including Women’s Aid groups and soup kitchens. Ms. Davies, a mother of two, aims to replicate the success of Franciska Acs, who established the Consider it Cake charity in Ireland. That organization boasts approximately 600 volunteer bakers and has been operational for four years. Ms. Davies mentioned that her family in Ireland volunteers for the aforementioned charity, but given the distance, she chose to establish a similar initiative in her hometown of Sudbrook, Monmouthshire. During an appearance on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Ms. Davies stated: “We want to bake cakes for those who don’t have the means to, whether that’s the homeless, people in emergency accommodation or refugees.” She added: “We just think bringing a little smile to someone’s special day makes their life a little bit better.” Currently, the primary activity involves general bake sales conducted in Monmouthshire. However, Ms. Davies expresses optimism that the enthusiasm for baking will grow, enabling them to produce on-demand birthday cakes, mirroring the operation in Ireland. Ms. Davies commented: “They obviously have much bigger problems, being homeless or seeking asylum, but it’s just knowing that someone cares.” Due to the vulnerability of many recipients, Ms. Davies typically does not interact directly with the end users, as the baked goods are distributed through organizations like Women’s Aid. Nevertheless, general bake sales provide volunteers with direct observation of the impact, as they deliver brownies, biscuits, or cakes to soup runs and shelters that might otherwise lack desserts. Ms. Davies remarked: “Some are absolutely thrilled, even at just being given a brownie, as even if they had the money to buy one in the moment they wouldn’t purchase this.” Additional reporting was provided by Matthew Webb. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is provided.