The Great Get Together

The Jo Cox Foundation encouraged communities to organise a range of activities, including a bake-off competition at Bilston Town Hall, to promote unity, cohesion, and inclusivity.

We recently spoke with Uwaila Osawe, a Healthwatch Volunteer, who baked and presented our cakes. She shared her experience about participating in this event, how it has built her confidence, and what she has gained from volunteering with us.

What made you want to take part?

"I love baking, so when I heard about the competition, I thought it would be a really fun way to get involved. I also liked that the Great Get Together represented bringing people together and celebrating the community. I chose butterflies for my cake because, for me, they represent hope, change and positivity, which seemed perfect for the event, and the web cake was just a regular celebration cake celebrating the life and time of Jo Cox."

Why is it important to take part in events like this?

"I think events like this give people a chance to come together, meet new people and just enjoy being part of the community. Sometimes it’s the simple things, like having a conversation over cake, getting new inspiration, and seeing things from different perspectives and all these help people connect."

Has the competition helped with your confidence?

"Yes, definitely. I was a little nervous about entering because it’s one thing to enjoy baking and another thing to have people actually judge what you’ve made. Winning was such a lovely surprise, and it definitely gave me more confidence in myself and my baking."

What have you gained from volunteering at Healthwatch Wolverhampton?

"Volunteering with Healthwatch Wolverhampton has helped me meet new people, get more involved in the community, build my confidence and given me opportunities to attend events and take part in activities such as the Listening at New Cross, the Enter and View, and the Great Get Together. As someone studying public health, it has also been valuable to see how community engagement works in practice and how people’s voices and experiences can contribute to improving services."