Patients at Maister Court in Hull are building confidence, skills and enhancing their wellbeing thanks to newly funded baking equipment from Health Stars, which has helped enhance and support an existing therapeutic baking group run by occupational therapists.
The weekly baking group gives patients the opportunity to take part in meaningful everyday activities while also allowing therapists to access whether the patients can manage everyday essential tasks safely and independently at home.
Staff at Maister Court contacted Health Stars for funding when they realised their current baking utensils could not adequately support the variety of baking sessions they hoped to provide for patients.
Occupational therapists use the baking sessions to observe key skills such as following instructions, using equipment safely and problem‑solving, while also encouraging patients to keep using everyday skills during their hospital stay. This helps prevent people becoming reliant on care and losing confidence in their own abilities.
Stephanie, Associate Occupational Therapist, said “There is no right or wrong way to take part, and the focus is firmly on building skills rather than taking them away. Some patients may not have cooked for some time, but with support they are able to regain confidence. One patient has even been baking bread from scratch on a regular basis, developing her own techniques and proudly sharing tips with others in the group!”
As well as supporting independence, the group has clear mental health benefits. Baking can lift mood, increase confidence and provide a sense of achievement, while the relaxed, social environment can help reduce feelings of loneliness. Some patients choose to bake, while others sit nearby and talk to the staff.
The baking equipment funded by Health Stars has helped enhance the sessions, supporting recovery, confidence and wellbeing for patients at Maister Court and showing how small investments can make a meaningful difference to people’s hospital experience.
