AN ADULT education student has marked her progress on a confidence and wellbeing course by baking a cake depicting her journey which has reached Timbuktu.

Laura Shire, whose business is Laurz Frosties Cake Design, in Barry, charted her progress by serving up the specially-designed sponge cake for her tutor and class – and the cake photograph posted on Facebook has achieved reactions from as far as California and Timbuktu.

Ms Shire, 33, of Rectory Road, Barry, recently came to the aid of a seven-year-old girl whose birthday party had been forgotten by friends.

Her gift and concern, expressed on social media, led Barry residents to rally and organise a big second party.

She is also author of a children’s picture-story book – The Cloud That Couldn’t Cry – which deals with childhood emotions.

Ms Shire, 34, of Rectory Road, was two months into the Palmerston course, led by tutor Anne Marie Edwards, when her best friend committed suicide – leaving her devastated and giving her own emotions and confidence a step back.

She said: “I started the course here in 2015, but two months into the course my best friend took her own life and everything started going wrong. I fell into depression and experienced anxiety. I’m not the same person I was before. The course has helped.”

Ms Shire is hoping her cake-based creation will encourage people to talk about mental health issues and she presented the gift on Mental Health Awareness Day on Thursday, July 13.

She said: “It’s a representation of where I was before and where I am now. Mental health affects so many people. I’ve not always been able to describe how I feel, but I’m so glad people have responded to it.”

Her tutor, Mrs Edwards added: “I was overwhelmed when I saw it. You can see her journey in cake form. It was visual in front of me – it was incredibly moving. Everyone came down to see it. I was bowled over. I put off cutting it.”

Adult education officer Debbie Lewis added: “The courses help people improve their confidence and self-esteem. Our centres are really friendly and our tutors help support learners to build their skills and reach their potential. Many of our learners have achieved qualifications and skills and progressed to further training, volunteering and even employment.”

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