Christmas 2024: A Festive season of kind hearts
Published 6 January 2025
This Christmas season, Making Space was filled with warmth and generosity as schemes across the country hosted a vibrant array of events. From Baking Space fundraisers supporting our Real Cost of Christmas campaign to festive parties, we brought joy to the people we support and their communities.
Together, we embraced our core value of "Kind Hearts," building empathy and connection to create a sense of belonging.
Spreading festive cheer nationwide
The Real Cost of Christmas campaign was at the heart of our holiday season, raising funds to support essential services such as activity groups to combat isolation, hardship support, emotional counselling, and practical advice for carers.
Baking Space events across the country showcased the creative and culinary talents of our teams and the people we support. From gingerbread blondies and homemade shortbread in Greater Manchester to festive mince pies in Ellesmere Port, these events brought communities together while supporting a vital cause.
In addition to Baking Space, festive raffles, tombolas, and craft stalls added to the merriment. Generous contributions from local businesses and communities ensured each event was a resounding success, with the Real Cost of Christmas campaign raising around £2,800, complemented by £3,000 worth of in-kind donations
Magical moments
Here are just a few highlights from a season filled with festive cheer and community spirit at Making Space services and hubs:
The Rotherham Carers Support Service hosted a lively Christmas party for carers, complete with live entertainment, thoughtful gifts, and festive activities. Over in Kingshill Residential, Greater Manchester, a Baking Space event brought residents and staff together to bake delicious treats, host games, and organise prizes, raising an impressive £500.
At The Academy in Warrington, holiday spirit filled the air with a festive raffle, a Baking Space event, and beautifully personalised handmade cups gifted by a local family. Meanwhile, Bradford and Airedale Carers Support celebrated the season with a Christmas party for carers that raised £120.
At Ashwood Court in Lowton, resident David inspired acts of kindness by donating gifts for children in need. Creativity was also on display with handmade Christmas cards, while a Christmas Jumper Day catwalk parade added a touch of festive fun. Sandalwood in Doncaster raised funds to support dementia-related activities through a Christmas Fayre, followed by a festive coffee morning featuring a raffle of hampers generously donated by Wiltshire Farm Foods Chester & Doncaster.
Making Space also celebrated the dedication of its volunteers with members of the Making Change Group treated to a festive meal to express gratitude for their hard work and commitment. Meanwhile, at Café Connect and The Connect Hub in Warrington, a festive day of activities included a Baking Space sale, an interactive animal experience, and a mindfulness session to promote mental wellbeing.
Christmas parties were also held across the UK at Palmyra in Liverpool, Manchester South Services, Pratt Street in Burnley, Waterhouse Court in Leeds, Bolton Carers Support Service, and Rivacre House in Ellesmere Port, spreading festive cheer to all.
Other activities included carol service at Poppy Court in Coventry, a festive overnight trip to Windsor for Waterhouse Court residents in Wigan, a visit to Burghley House Christmas Fair for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Carer Support Service, and a celebratory meal at Toby Carvery for Lancaster & Morecambe Services.
You can find out more and see all the photos by following us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MakingSpaceUK
A festive thank you
This incredible season of giving was made possible by the generosity of our donors and supporters. Local businesses, volunteers, and Making Space colleagues went above and beyond to ensure everyone we support experienced the magic of the season. From gift donations to Foodbank collections, each contribution made a difference.
As Making Space Deputy Chief Executive, Phil Orton shared:
"This Christmas, we’ve seen the true power of our value ‘Kind Hearts’ in action. The generosity, compassion, and connection shown by our teams and communities have created a sense of belonging that is at the heart of everything we do. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this festive season so special."
“At Making Space, creating connections and opportunities for people to get involved, is at the heart of what we do. Whether that is through the people we support being encouraged to fundraise and give to others, or our hardworking teams, going above and beyond to make this time of year special for those we support. Every act of kindness, big or small, results in a better day for someone.”
Celebrating together
As we reflect on this wonderful campaign, we are reminded of the importance of coming together to support one another. The funds raised through the Real Cost of Christmas will continue to make a difference, helping to create brighter futures for those we support.
2024 Real Cost of Christmas raffle winners and prizes:
- £200 cash - Gemma Tindall
- £100 Marks & Spencer voucher (courtesy of White Decorators) - Keeley Hunt
- £30 Amazon voucher (courtesy of Fisheye Mirrors) - Megan Aaron
- Paintball session voucher for up to 10 people (courtesy of Delta Force Paintball) - Joanne McMillan
- Wine Gift Set (courtesy of Montane Finance) - Mark Thornton
- Bosch saucepans (courtesy of CCC appliances) - Ria Lyon
- Box of Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates - Fiona Marsden
- Box of Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates - Hannah Randles
- Travel Cabin Bag, a £50 Travel Voucher and a Bottle Of Fizz (courtesy of Not Just Travel) - Elena Chapman
- Bath gift set (courtesy of Haths Bath House) - Amy Vinten
- Go Karting voucher (courtesy of Team Sport Karting) - Bradley Wilson
- £15 The Entertainer voucher- Anne Alexander
- Yankee Candle gift set- Mark Jones
- Gulliver’s World Tickets - Christina Wallace
- £40 Monia’s Cakes voucher - Joshua Furby
From all of us at Making Space, thank you for your kindness and support this Christmas season. Here’s to a New Year filled with creating more connections and more opportunities for better days.