Kind volunteers deliver cakes to elderly and vulnerable Wigan residents

Members of Wigan-based organisation Daffodils Dreams are delivering their popular Dilly Daffs cakes to people’s homes.

They come with a note from “Dilly” sending hugs and William Wordsworth’s Daffodils poem to lift their spirits.

The cake deliveries have proved to be a hit, with one recipient saying it had “brightened [their] day” and another saying it brought a tear to their eye.

Maureen Holcroft, who founded Daffodils Dreams, said: “We are very lucky to have such a great team of volunteers who go above and beyond in everything they do for Daffodils Dreams and the community. We all have one thing in common and that is to make a difference to those most in need.”

And it is not just the Dilly Daffs cakes that are arriving on people’s doorsteps.

Maureen said: “We are also baking birthday cakes for children during the crisis through our referral process. These times are difficult enough for children and we want to make their birthdays as normal and as special as they can be by delivering a birthday cake to help with the celebrations.

“‘Dilly’ baked a birthday cake for a seven-year-old boy, he said it was the best birthday he has ever had because he has never had a birthday cake before. We love to get feedback like this, knowing that we are helping to create magical memories.”

The organisation, which supports children and families in hardship, has so far received more than 150 referrals and baked cakes for around 300 people.

Daffodils Dreams is part of the Be Kind movement launched by Wigan Council to encourage people to be kind and think about how they can do small things that make a big difference.

Volunteers are working closely with a local community hub to deliver support to those most affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

They are also continuing to help people referred to them by the community hub, children’s services, schools and the community. This includes by going food shopping, delivering medication or making contact to check on someone’s mental health and well-being.

Before the lockdown, refurbishment work was taking place to transform a shop and cell at The Old Courts into a centre for Daffodils Dreams, which would sell clothes as well as offer dress hire. It is hoped this can still go ahead in future.

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