Janet’s story

Janet had lived in her family home at Countess Weir in Exeter for over thirty years and had been very happy there.  With her husband Mike they had brought up their four children Robert, Alison, Carol and Patrick.  As their children grew up and moved out Janet and Mike decided to down size and only a few years ago moved to a new home in Thornpark Rise in Exeter.  

Janet found the move difficult, she didn’t like living in the new house and so found it very hard to settle.  Janet explained, “When we lived at Countess Weir I knew all of my neighbours and really enjoyed living there but when we moved here I found it hard as I didn’t know any one and with Mike at work every day I found it really lonely.”

I had been to some coffee mornings arranged by Age Concern and it was at one of these that a team member from Age Concern mentioned to me about joining the Cake Group.  “I had become increasingly anxious and withdrawn since we had moved and I thought that the Cake Group could really help me get my confidence back and that it could be something that I would enjoy.”

  • Janet with Kath in front and Joan and Jenny behind them.

Janet now attends the weekly Cake Group with her now friends Kathleen, Joan and Jenny.  They meet on Wednesday afternoons at the Milk Maid Café in Exeter and enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake.  “We have a good old natter, enjoy a cup of tea and some cake and even tell each other silly jokes to have a laugh.”

When Janet first joined the group she had a friend from the community mentoring service who would meet Janet at home and go with her on the bus into Exeter.  Gradually over a period of time Janet was able to do the whole journey, there and back, on her own.  “To start with I did need help getting there as the busyness of the bus sometimes made me feel anxious but after a while and bit by bit I was able to do it all on my own.  I knew when I started going that I had to be able to do it on own.”

Janet explained what the Cake Group means to her.  “It has been a real lifeline for me; I look forward to Wednesday every week and always have a really lovely time.  I have made a good friend in Kathleen, only the other week we went to see Mamma Mia together which I really enjoyed as well.”

Mike added, “I have always encouraged Janet to go as I know that it is good for her and I know that she enjoys it which makes me happy.”

From joining the Cake Group and making friends with Kathleen, Joan and Jenny they now all go to the cinema once a month at the Picture House in Exeter.  “We all have a lovely time watching a film and enjoying a cup of tea and a biscuit.  We will all need to start watching our weight with all these lovely cakes and biscuits we keep eating!”