Raising spirits and showing kindness is crucial to getting through the Covid-19 crisis, and Happy Cakes founder, Julia Atkinson ’92, has been baking delicious cakes for hospital workers and homeless people. She talks about how she is doing her bit to make a difference to people’s lives in these difficult times.
“It’s been amazingly busy with the cakes. I have been working with Oxford Foodbank for a few years and always donate them a huge Christmas cake for their Christmas lunch which feeds 500 people.
“In recent weeks they have given me some surplus fruit and vegetables which I have used to bake cakes for The Gatehouse homeless centre. I donate all the other ingredients. The chocolate and courgette cupcakes were a big hit!
“With the rapidly changing situation The Gatehouse became takeaway only so I supplied things like flapjacks that were easy to wrap up. Sadly it has temporarily ceased operating as has The Oxford Foodbank. I’ll now support The Porch in Cowley as they’re doing takeaway bags for the homeless and vulnerable.
“I’m also working with Oxford Hospitals Charity. I’m baking treats with edible printed logos which say “thank you NHS”. The charity staff are extremely dedicated and know who needs a little sugary boost especially at this difficult time.
“I particularly like being able to add a few extra treats – last week we made a personalised box of cupcakes for a nurse who’d given up their birthday to work and today we baked a rainbow cake to go to the operating theatre staff at the Churchill Hospital.
“Strangely I’ve never been busier – being a small company means I’m flexible. I’m doing lots of local deliveries especially from people who’s loved ones are in Oxford and they can’t see each other. I’ve also send lots of personalised brownies by post.”
Find out more about Julia’s business: Happy Cakes >>>
Read about Adult Nursing alumna, Susan Johnston ’13, who is working on Covid-19 research >>>
Let’s get through this together – alumni Covid-19 stories >>>