FROM experiencing 20 panic attacks a day and being riddled with social anxiety, to running a successful baking business from her home – Rustic and Retro Cakery is our Trader of the Week.
Having suffered extreme trauma during her childhood, Nikki Cadby in Poole had endured 40 years of mental health issues.
After trying many different services and techniques, she came across a therapist who would take the time to get to know her and encourage her to unearth a hidden talent.
Nikki said: “Back in 2014 I had cognitive behavioural therapy with Steps 2 Wellbeing in Bournemouth. I went because I suffered with anxiety brought on by childhood trauma and, whilst I was there, I met this wonder therapist called Bev.
“I didn’t really know what to do and Bev encouraged me to do something that I love. I told her that I can make a pretty good cake and she told me to keep doing that, so I kind of fell into it.”
Starting out with two 99p tins from Woolworths, a 1970s stork margarine recipe and no previous baking experience, Nikki taught herself how to bake and began trailing and testing recipes on her family and friends.
With 5,000 followers on her Facebook page, Nikki specialises in requests for cakes for birthday and special occasions and has also helped raise over £10,000 for local charities through her baking.
Now she is looking to repay Bev Davies, the therapist who helped give her a new lease of life, by promoting Bev’s new children’s book, Mel & Pip & The Magic Snow Globe: Exploring Thoughts & Feelings, which is about dealing with mental health issues.
Nikki added: “Bev believed in me and saw something in me. She should have handed me onto mental health team, but Bev knew I wouldn’t have gone.
“Bev has written a children’s book and I want to help her on her journey now because, back when I was at my worst, my traumas were complex and she went out of her way to help me.
“The book is for children but, speaking as someone who has gone through their fair share of mental struggles, it is very relatable.
“So I am encouraging people to buy the book by giving away free cupcakes with it but the book needs to be in school libraries.”
To find out more about Rustic & Retro Cakery, visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RusticRetro/.
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