Schoolgirl publishes cookbook with all proceeds going to Dementia UK

A 10-year-old schoolgirl who discovered her passion for baking with her father who has young onset dementia has now published her very own recipe book.

The book, Bessie Bakes: Fond memories & fun recipes to support families affected by dementia, is packed full of favourite recipes from family members and friends. All profits from the sale of the book are going to Dementia UK.

The idea for the cookbook emerged when the UK went into lockdown in March and schools were shut.

It was tough for most families, but for Bessie Riches and her sister Milly, 12, from Caversham in Berkshire, it was incredibly tough, coping with homeschooling as well as helping their mother, Hannah, care for their dad, Neil who was diagnosed with young onset dementia in 2015 at the age of 51.

A Dementia UK admiral nurse suggested ‘Neil and Bessie should do some cooking’

Ms Riches told homecare.co.uk: “Apart from Bessie going to school a couple of days a week, the girls were in the house and they were finding it really tough. I got exhausted trying to juggle everyone’s needs.”

Ms Riches rang her Dementia UK admiral nurse Lizzie Harrison: “I was going bonkers here. I told her Bessie had been doing some cooking for me and she suggested Neil and Bessie should do some cooking.”

The following weekend, Bessie and her dad made some biscuits: “They spent a really nice afternoon together and Neil was quite happy to take Bessie’s lead and he did what she told him, and they spent a really nice time together which was really nice to see.”

Bessie then emailed her friends and family to see what their favourite recipes were and if they could share with her.

After receiving an overwhelming response, Bessie and her dad spent the summer trying out these culinary ideas while her mum wrote up the recipes. A family friend who is a publishing editor has helped Bessie turn this into a book.

Bessie Bakes includes recipes such as Malteser traybake, speedy spice cake, Shrewsbury biscuits and the Riches’ family favourite, raspberry brownies.

'I cannot contemplate how you would navigate the first few years without an admiral nurse'

Ms Riches feels very lucky to have the support from an admiral nurse and explains how she was “instrumental” with encouraging Neil to try out a local dementia group in Reading.

“We were referred to her early on and she was a big support to us, especially in the early days. There is a local dementia group called Younger People with Dementia (YPWD).

"Over the years, he has really enjoyed going along to the choir, doing the garden programme and canoeing activities.

“Lizzie was instrumental in getting that group together. I really cannot contemplate how you would navigate the first few years without an admiral nurse. We need more. I am a true advocate for admiral nurses.”

There are currently 279 Admiral Nurses in the UK but this is not enough to support the 850,000 people with dementia in the UK.

Neil Riches worked for the Met police in London for over 25 years and when work colleagues started worrying about him, an appointment was made for him at the GP.

Ms Riches said: “At first, Neil and his bad memory became a family joke. If he offered to make you a cup of tea, he would forget to make it or become distracted but it was when his work colleagues noticed and his boss took him to one side.

“I had just put it down to work stress. He got more stressed with it, so we went to the GP. He was signed off with stress related memory impairment, but it became apparent when a lady from the memory clinic came and did some memory tests for him. It was then I realised that there was something serious going wrong and dementia was on the cards.”

The girls have always been encouraged to raise money and help others

During the first year of diagnosis, Mr Riches took early retirement and Ms Riches spoke to the primary school where they arranged therapy for the girls and ran assemblies telling other pupils about dementia.

The girls have always been encouraged to talk about dementia and to raise money and help others.

"Publishing this collection of recipes as a book to raise funds seemed like a natural progression from the memory walks, table-top sales and coffee mornings the girls have already done," added Ms Riches.

Bessie and Millie have raised £700 for Dementia UK by running coffee mornings and jumble sales.

Hilda Hayo, chief executive of Dementia UK, said: “We continue to be in awe of our fundraisers like Hannah and Bessie who, even in the face of adversity, are raising funds and awareness for dementia specialist support with creativity and passion.”

Wendy Mitchell has written the foreword in the new cookbook. Wendy was also diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 58 and is an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society. She is an author and regularly travels to conferences and events giving talks on dementia.

Bessie Bakes: Fond memories & fun recipes to support families affected by dementia is published by Kingshill Books on November 30.

To order a copy of the book visit the website here https://bessiebakes.co.uk