World Health Day, on Thursday 7th April, is about creating societies focussed on wellbeing. Good Bitches Baking is about making Aotearoa a kinder place. The many boxes of baked goodies GBB send across the motu nurture and sustain the social connections that underpin a ‘wellbeing society’.
GBB supports people who are coping with tough challenges and curveballs in their everyday lives – putting food on the table; managing the stresses of inadequate housing; looking after children with special needs; caring for the elderly and vulnerable; living with mental health problems and illness; staying safe and keeping whānau safe.
Stories from recipient organisations tell of the many ways GBB is used to awhi these people and of the positive impact this has on their wellbeing. These are some of the things they say.
GBB fosters a sense of belonging
Recipients are touched and supported by the knowledge that strangers “out there” care enough to make them beautiful treats that convey “messages of warmth and care”. Having delicious food to share is “a way of showing aroha to those who may be feeling lost or vulnerable”. People are “uplifted and overwhelmed” when reading the notes that accompany the baking and experience a “sense that they are not alone”.
GBB helps build social connections
“Our homeless residents enjoy sitting and chatting over a cuppa with each other….The baking helps our residents form friendships, which in turn helps ease the fears and anxiety they are experiencing.”; “Having a cuppa with a homemade treat helps build our community of support. Our residents talk about their hopes and dreams for a better future while eating your biscuits.”
Making Aotearoa a kinder more connected place
While the World Health aim of creating societies focused on wellbeing can seem daunting, GBB recipient stories illustrate what can be achieved by spreading a little kindness to people facing tough times so they know they’re not alone, that someone cares. To paraphrase Morgan Freeman, never underestimate the power of changing the world one random act of kindness at a time.