Hello and welcome to The Positive Baking Company's official Blog Website! We are finally up and running (again) after a wee break away, but now we are back with a little bit more knowledge, some extra baking skills and ultimately a fresh head.
So I guess the first place to start is who we are , what we do, and why on earth cake. Firstly I keep saying we , now one day I hope the Positive Baking Company will be just that - a company full of like minded people who want to make a difference to others through the art of giving time to those with mental health challenges, and of course a slice of cake to anyone who fancies it! But right now its just little old me with my two year old helping me along.
The aim of the Positive Baking company is to one day have a Cupcake Shop which will be a safe open space where people can socialise, take classes, get information on mental health support and genuinely enjoy that relaxed cafe environment.
Mental health awareness is such an important topic which you see more and more of in the media, which I personally believe is a really positive step, because we all have mental health it just depends on where on the spectrum you are, some struggle, some have blips, some have diagnosed mental health conditions. This can change dramatically and the one thing that is crucial is support. The importance is that we continue to erase the stigma surrounding mental health, continue to share our stories, and reach out both to those who need it and when we need help ourselves.
My Journey with baking began initially when I decided to make my daughters 1st birthday cake, it was also around the time I was in deep depression, had severe anxiety, post natal depression and post traumatic stress, this led to an eating disorder which was my little bit of control I had left over a tumbling physical health problem. I was lost and needed something else to focus on for me. Being a Mum is the most amazing thing in the world but back then I needed an additional outlet, something I could improve, get good at and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in.
Fast forward a year and my mental health has greatly improved and beside the support from my family and friends and of course my wonderful support worker (I miss my wee Scottish guardian angel and cheerleader so much already!) I do strongly believe that teaching myself to bake , and keeping at it, providing for friends family and groups, I have gained confidence in myself as a person, and it has greatly improved my health in general.
I'm so glad I picked up the spatula and listened to that little fighting voice inside when my first cake I attempted for Amelia's birthday failed, I'm gad my tenacious side crept through the fog and said no you will do this you can do this, because despite gaining a few unwanted pounds I have gained positivity.
The aim of the Positive Baking company right now is to share my experience on how cake batter made me a better stronger woman, through both sunken and risen sponge.
So here I am a year into my amateur baking journey , restarting my terribly written blog and sharing the perfect cupcakes, the cake I really should have thrown away and the ugly teary bits too, I hope this provides some comfort and possibly even a slice of humour.
Thank you for sticking with us
Hayley x
