When Rachelle Haslegrave moved to Ōamaru in 2023 for a new role, she found herself with a bit more time on her hands and a desire to give back to her new community.

“I love baking,” she says, “but I don’t want to eat everything I make!”

Rachelle quickly found her place volunteering with Good Bitches Baking, experimenting with muffins, slices and new recipes gathered from friends and family along the way.

Since stepping into the role of Head Bitch in August 2025, her enjoyment has grown.

“I really like the connection it provides,” she says. “I give baking to a lot of the agencies I interact with in my day job, so I know where it’s going. That connection is really beautiful.”

That sense of connection has grown among volunteers, too. Rachelle has hosted coffee catch-ups and is planning group baking sessions to bring volunteers together. A recent recruitment drive was very successful, with lots of new bakers signing up. 

“A few people have joined because they’re new to Ōamaru and want to meet others,” she says. “Through our catch-ups and in our Facebook group, we share recipes, share our bakes. It’s a really nice way to connect.”

The Ōamaru chapter now has 26 volunteers, with 10 more registering in the last month following a recruitment drive led by Rachelle.

Their baking supports nine local organisations, including Age Concern Waitaki, who say it plays an important role in their work with older people.

“The baking is always very much appreciated,” they say. “It helps our social workers build relationships with clients and can be a way to get a foot in the door during home visits.”

With loneliness and isolation known to have significant impacts on older people’s health, small acts of connection can make a real difference.

“There is nothing our clients enjoy more than some Good Bitches baking!”