The sudden snap lockdown didn’t deter Canberra bakers; they donned their aprons, warmed their ovens, and filled their icing nozzles, and created some splendidly imaginative cakes – all for a good cause.

The annual Cake Off is a fundraiser for the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre (PWC), which provides care and support for parents from pregnancy until the baby turns two, especially if parents experience mental health issues (anxiety, depression, or struggling with parenthood).

That help has never been more needed; CEO Dr Yvonne Luxford said there has been a 152% increase in ongoing clients since the last Cake Off, in March 2019. Last year, after lockdown, bushfires, toxic smoke, and the hailstorm, counselling calls increased 57%.

“The number of parents [calling] went up around March and keeps going up; we’re not seeing any decrease.”

This year’s theme was Decades of Cake, and Canberrans responded with wit and imagination. There were elegant Sixties ballet dresses and delectable Mary Poppins carousels, edible Dali landscapes (the master of Spanish surrealism would have been delighted), and countercultural confectionery: flower power, radical love, and disco.

The event was meant to be held at the Hyatt Hotel, but for obvious reasons moved to an online auction instead. Normally around 50 bakers take part, but only half that number could make it this year; some were essential workers, others couldn’t leave their homes to buy ingredients or decorations – but they’re keen to be back next year.

Nevertheless, Cake Off raised nearly $8,000 – almost $5,000 in cake sales and nearly $3,000 in donations. Local businesses sponsored the cakes, then donated them back to the PWC to raise more money in auctions.

“A very big thank you to the community for supporting Cake Off,” Dr Luxford said. “There were so many gorgeous cakes, and some very generous donations. Canberrans are quite wonderful people; they really get behind a cause and they care about their neighbours.”

One cake has been donated to staff at the local IGA; others will be given to local respite facilities, or have been bought by essential workers.

But the PWC still needs money. Although the ACT Government supports the organisation – and two MLAs entered cakes – support hasn’t increased at the same rate as demand, Dr Luxford said.

Donations are still open on the website, and a raffle (hampers full of items donated by local businesses) is open until the end of lockdown.

Greens MLA Emma Davidson baked a ‘radical love’ cake. “Perinatal Wellbeing Centre plays an important role helping people adjust to a new normal after a major life change and giving them the best possible start as a family,” Ms Davidson said. “It was a pleasure to help raise funds for Perinatal Wellbeing Centre who provide care, compassion and kindness for parents in need of mental health support. To celebrate the incredible support they provide, especially now when people may be facing more distress, it was fitting to make a Persian love cake for the Cake Off.”

The PWC provides care and support for new and expecting parents. Ongoing counselling takes place every fortnight, via phone, email, or even Zoom. Psychoeducational groups bring parents (predominantly mothers) together; they reduce isolation, help parents understand what they’re going through, and provide tools and strategies to help them get better, Dr Luxford said.

“One of the things we love about our groups is that the mums tend to really connect with one another and form ongoing friendships and support networks.” Those groups continued even last year, when some of the other services were closed.

The PWC also offers casual support; sometimes a half-hour chat with their counsellors or health workers is enough to reassure parents, and make them feel validated. The Centre also provides educational outreach into other organisations like government departments and health professionals, and free childcare and playgroups for clients.

“Be kind to yourself during lockdown, and just support one another,” Dr Luxford said.

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