Cake Not Hate: How One Young Baker Is Spreading Kindness Across the UK

Summary

At SEND Tutoring, we champion the strengths, voices, and potential of neurodiverse young people, and this campaign is a beautiful example of how those strengths can transform the world around us.

What is Cake Not Hate All About?

The initiative began with Josh, a 12 year old boy who is non‑speaking and autistic. Alongside his father, Dan Harris, Josh has been travelling across the UK delivering homemade cakes to mosques and other places of worship. The campaign uses something beautifully simple: homemade cakes, to build bridges between communities and show that kindness is stronger than hate.

The idea for Cake Not Hate was born out of a deeply unsettling incident in Peterborough. During the early‑morning fajr prayers, worshippers at a local mosque were confronted and verbally abused by an intruder. The case later went to Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court, where the individual involved pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated harassment. For Dan and Josh, the fact that this happened so close to home was impossible to ignore. Knowing that baking is one of Josh’s favourite ways to communicate, they decided to use food as a bridge. A simple, heartfelt way to show their neighbours that they were valued and supported. The Cake Not Hate campaign has become a powerful reminder that kindness can cut through even the loudest noise of division. 

Dan explains the heart of the campaign in his own words:

“The Cake Not Hate campaign has been driven because we want the Muslim community and other faiths that have been under attack from the far right to know that the far right do not represent the British public. We have been visiting dozens of mosques and other places of worship across the UK with the campaign Cake Not Hate in order to show those people this. We’ve been warmly received by all of these places of worship. Joshie has been diligently baking the cakes, he bakes them all week and then on a Friday he puts them in the car because we spend all weekend driving around. We’ve been to dozens of places from all different parts of the UK and we’ll be continuing this campaign because it is resonating with communities who are unfairly under attack.”

A Moment That Sparked Action

Their first visit to the mosque in Peterborough highlighted a striking contrast. Inside, they were welcomed with warmth and generosity. People went out of their way to make Josh feel comfortable. But online, the reaction was very different. Their act of kindness triggered a wave of abuse from far‑right accounts, including attempts to identify Dan’s employer and threats aimed at both him and Josh. It was a stark reminder of the rising hostility many marginalised communities face, and it only strengthened their resolve to continue. 

According to the Home Office, the year leading up to March 2025 saw a 19% rise in recorded hate crimes targeting Muslims. Dan and Josh wanted the local Muslim community to know that these acts of hostility and abuse did not reflect the views of the wider public.

This wasn’t the first time Dan had encountered online aggression. Through his social media platforms, where he shares daily life with Josh to raise awareness about autism, he has seen how quickly misinformation and prejudice can spread. In the weeks leading up to the Peterborough incident, far‑right groups had begun painting St George’s crosses on pedestrian crossings and hanging flags from lampposts across the country. The red paint on crossings was especially dangerous for Josh, who is a visual learner and relies on clear white lines to know where it is safe to cross the road. When Dan posted a short video explaining this, simply asking people to stop defacing crossings for safety reasons, the clip went viral. The response from far‑right accounts was immediate and vicious, with some directing hateful comments at Josh himself. 

Yet despite the online noise, every in‑person visit has been met with kindness. Mosques and gurdwaras across Birmingham, Leicester, Luton, Dunstable, Cambridge, and London have welcomed them with open arms. Many communities have even invited them back or reached out hoping to be part of the campaign. Josh often dresses respectfully for each visit, something that has been met with appreciation and affection everywhere they go.

What began as a response to a single act of hate has grown into a nationwide movement built on connection, courage, and the belief that kindness speaks louder than intimidation.

Why This Matters for the SEND Community

What makes this campaign especially meaningful for the SEND community is the way it centres Josh’s abilities, not his challenges. Baking is his way of connecting, expressing care, and standing up for others. Through Cake Not Hate, Josh shows that communication doesn’t always come through speech. Sometimes it comes through action, dedication, and a tray of freshly baked cakes. 

For lots of neurodiverse young people, connection often takes forms other than speech, emerging through creativity, focus, and the comfort of familiar routines. Sometimes it’s found in the activities they love, or the gestures that feel natural to them. When those strengths are recognised, something powerful happens: young people begin to connect with the world on their own terms. Josh’s baking is a perfect example of this. His cakes become a bridge between communities, a way of saying “I see you” without needing spoken words. They remind people that kindness is universal. It doesn’t rely on language, background, or belief. In a time when division can feel loud, Josh’s quiet dedication shows how small acts of care can bring people together, and spark conversations that might never have happened otherwise.

Supporting Dan and Josh’s Journey on Social Media

One of the most powerful ways to support Cake Not Hate is simply by showing up online.

Dan shares updates, photos, and reflections from their visits — and every like, share, and comment helps amplify their message of unity. Social media has become a vital part of keeping the campaign visible, especially when far‑right hostility tries to drown out voices of compassion.

Here’s how you can help:

• Follow their journey on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn where Dan shares updates.
• Share their posts to help spread the message of solidarity.
• Leave encouraging comments: they read them, and they matter.
• Use your own platform (big or small) to highlight their work.
• Tag community groups, educators, and organisations who might want to support or collaborate.

For a campaign built on kindness, visibility is fuel. Every share helps the message travel further.

How You Can Get Involved Offline Too

If you’re feeling inspired, there are plenty of ways to join the spirit of Cake Not Hate:

• Reach out to local mosques or community centres with messages of support.
• Organise small acts of kindness in your school or neighbourhood.
• Encourage SEND learners to express themselves through their passions.
• Start conversations about inclusion, solidarity, and empathy.

You don’t need to bake dozens of cakes to make a difference. Though if you do, we’d love to see the photos!

Kindness That Keeps Growing

At SEND Tutoring, we see every day how transformative it can be when a young person is supported to express themselves in the way that feels most natural to them. The Cake Not Hate campaign echoes this belief beautifully. It shows that when a child’s strengths are nurtured, whether that’s baking, art, music, or something wonderfully unexpected, those strengths can ripple outward and touch the lives of others.

Our stance has always been rooted in the idea that inclusion is not passive. It’s something we build through understanding, encouragement, and the willingness to see potential where others might overlook it. Josh’s journey is a reminder of what becomes possible when a young person is given the space to lead with what they love. His actions highlight the impact that neurodiverse individuals can have when their abilities are recognised and valued.

As educators and advocates, we’re committed to creating environments where SEND learners feel empowered to explore their interests, develop confidence, and share their talents with the world. Campaigns like Cake Not Hate reinforce why this work matters. They show that kindness grows when we champion individuality, celebrate difference, and stand alongside young people as they discover their own ways of contributing to their communities.

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Ella Jones

If you’re looking for support for a child or young person with special educational needs or a disability, book a free call with us today and find out how we can help.