19-year-old shares pride as successful bakery business has assisted her eating disorder recovery

A 19-year-old has shared her feelings of pride as her successful vegan and gluten-free bakery business has assisted her eating disorder recovery.

Amelia Haden spent seven years in and out of hospital with anorexia nervosa, on feeding tubes and in wheelchairs, which she says turned her life “upside down”.

Having been diagnosed with the eating disorder at 11 years old and being sectioned in six different hospitals across the seven years to follow, her rehabilitation and recovery began when she was 18.

Now, Amelia lives independently and runs a vegan and gluten-free bakery called The Last Bite from her home in the town centre. Her bakes are also stocked in Grandbies, The Garibaldi Hotel, Valentine’s Bistro, Coffee Barne and Beckets Salon.

Amelia described how her life has done a “full 180” and that she makes a living by creating treats that are enjoyed by hundreds across the town and beyond.

“When I came out of hospital at 18, I got my own place and started baking from there,” Amelia told the Chronicle & Echo. “I’ve always loved baking and I decided there’s a niche area that people need baking for.”

Though Amelia is vegan, she does not have a gluten-free diet. Since coming out of hospital, the 19-year-old has also completed level two and three personal training courses – and people she met through that mentioned the need for gluten-free bakes.

Not only is The Last Bite stocked in five places, but Amelia takes orders online and hopes to offer letterbox deliveries in the very near future. People all over the UK will be able to enjoy Amelia’s creations when she can post them.

Though the business was founded last year, it was January 2024 when Amelia says it really took off. This is when Grandbies began stocking The Last Bite.

The Garibaldi Hotel was the next venue to stock her products, which is where Amelia’s partner works. She described him, as well as her mother, as being “the most amazing help” and the reason why she was able to start recovering properly.

When asked how it feels that she is living a life she enjoys, with a business that earns her a living, Amelia said: “It’s incredible. Things are still hard and I carry trauma from being in hospital. I was told I would never get better and would be in and out of hospital for my whole life. I was told my diagnosis had turned chronic.

“It feels incredible that people love what I do. I feel very grateful and thankful for all the opportunities and support, and very overwhelmed.”

As well as launching letterbox deliveries across the UK to meet the demand for vegan and gluten-free sweet treats, Amelia would like to open her own bakery in the town centre.

The 19-year-old is currently looking for locations and would also love to travel around in a food truck to festivals down the line.

For more information, you can find The Last Bite Bakery on Instagram by searching @thelastbite_bakery.