The Free Cakes for Kids movement
Free Cakes for Kids is a movement of local volunteers and community groups, who share a simple belief: every child deserves a birthday cake. Since 2008, various groups across the UK have been baking for hundreds of families and organisations who find it difficult to provide a birthday cake for a child.
Our cakes are homemade and delicious, featuring the child's favourite theme or style when requested. We do this because we love baking and are passionate about our communities.
Lewisham & Crystal Palace
Free Cakes for Kids Lewisham & Crystal Palace has been running for over 10 years. We are a network of bakers serving Lewisham, Crystal Palace, Catford, Sydenham, Forest Hill, Brockley, Deptford, New Cross, Crofton Park, Ladywell, Penge, Blackheath, Hither Green, Lee Green and Lee, Perry Vale, Bellingham, Rushey Green, Downham, Grove Park, Evelyn and Honor Oak.
We are part of a wider movement of independent, volunteer-run Free Cakes for Kids groups across London and the UK, each run locally and staffed entirely by volunteers who believe that a birthday cake, small as it may seem, tells a child that their day matters.
Our values
Every child matters
Every cake is homemade with love, specifically for the child who will receive it.
Community-powered
Cakes are requested by local community organisations and baked by a local volunteer.
Food safe
All volunteers follow food hygiene baseline standards and clear allergen labelling on every delivery.
Safe deliveries
Bakers deliver cakes to partner organisations, without interacting with the children.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from referral partners, volunteers and families.
Who qualifies for a free cake from Free Cakes for Kids Lewisham & Crystal Palace?
Children aged 0–18 who are underserved in the community. This could mean they are facing crisis, poverty, homelessness or hardship, or are part of clubs or organisations set up to support underserved children across the Lewisham and Crystal Palace area. We do not assess eligibility directly. A recognised referral partner, such as a school, charity or local community organisation, does this for us.
How do I refer a child or organisation?
Referrals come exclusively through official partners, such as schools, charities and local community organisations. If you help run one of these and would like to refer children or set up a partnership, email hello@freecakesforkidslewisham.com or see our Partner with us page. We're unable to accept requests directly from parents or family members.
How much notice do you need for a cake?
We aim to build long-term relationships with a small number of referral partners, rather than take one-off requests, so our volunteer bakers can plan ahead. Once you're a registered partner, please give us at least 3 weeks' notice before the date a cake is needed.
Do bakers have to deliver the cakes?
Yes. Every cake is delivered directly to the referral partner, not to a family home, who then passes it on. Volunteers always deliver cakes in professional cake boxes and follow food hygiene and allergen-labelling best practice.
Can I volunteer if I've never baked before?
Yes. All our cakes are homemade, so we don't expect professional bakery standards, just a good quality bake that meets our basic food hygiene, packaging and labelling guidance. If baking isn't for you, we also welcome volunteers to help with operations, promotions, fundraising and other ways of supporting Free Cakes for Kids Lewisham & Crystal Palace.
What food hygiene standards do your bakers follow?
All volunteer bakers follow our food hygiene guidance, covering safe preparation, the 14 major allergens, and how to package and label cakes for delivery. Read our full food hygiene guidance for volunteer bakers.