Finding her Sweet Release through baking
050215 News photo: Journey of Hope founder Alfie Butler shows Sweet Release bakery director Kristine Bartley how to decorate cupcakes.
Wellington baker Kristine Bartley found her love of baking while fighting the autoimmune disorder Graves' disease.
Now she is encouraging other sufferers to find their own passions.
This month she will host free baking and cake decorating classes for patients at her Sweet Release kitchen in Willis St's Capital Market.
Since she appeared in The Wellingtonian last October, she had been approached by other thyroid sufferers, which inspired the idea, she said.
"I found my sweet release though baking and I thought there would be other sick people [who could benefit]," she said.
Bartley has teamed up with Journey of Hope founder Alfie Butler to provide the classes, financial support and other activities for people with different health problems.
After the baking sessions, they planned to hold free yoga classes.
The February classes would cater for different levels of ability and dietary requirements, she said.
Butler set up the Journey of Hope charity in November 2013 while raising money for his friend, Caitlin Hawthorn, who needed treatment for a rare cancer that was not eligible for funding.
Sadly, she died 10 days before Journey of Hope was registered, but it inspired Butler to help others in similar situations.
The Victoria University graduate said the baking classes would be a good way to meet people who needed help, and would focus their thoughts on something positive.
"[Normally] you've got a circle of chairs and you say what you've got.
"We wanted to do something a bit more creative," he said.
He was also hoping to improve his own baking skills.
"I'm probably rubbish at baking, so I'll be the most improved hopefully."
Bartley has previously run classes for Wellington group Active, which supports 17 to 25-year-olds with intellectual disabilities.
For more information about the classes, email kristine@sweetreleasecakesandtreats.co.nz.
Journey of Hope funds medical treatments, medication and travel expenses for people who cannot afford them.
People can donate through the journeyofhopenz.org or givealittle.co.nz websites or by using the free Little Lot app on any smart device.
- The Wellingtonian
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