Cakes, creatures and calmness - festive fun to support mental wellbeing

The Baking Space event brought a delicious mix of competition and fundraising to the festivities, with bakers showcasing their creations to raise funds and vie for a coveted top-three spot in the bake-off. A special thanks goes to Mario Li from Monia’s Cakes, based in The Hive, for judging the bakes and generously providing prizes for the winners. Gratitude also goes to Wiltshire Farm Foods for donating an array of cakes to support the event. Our new fundraising partner, Marcus Edwards from Not Just Travel, joined in the fun, baking his way to second place with his irresistible Biscoff and Nutella muffins. The event was a resounding success, combining tasty treats with a great cause.

In another part of the building, the festive spirit took an adventurous turn with the ZooLab Christmas Experience, an interactive session that captivated volunteers, staff, and people supported by Making Space. Participants had the chance to meet a variety of fascinating creatures, including a 20-year-old Tarantula, a Frog, a Millipede, Hissing Cockroach, and a Corn Snake named Tango. The session was a hit, with everyone showing incredible bravery and engagement as they learned about the beauty and uniqueness of often-maligned animals. The event proved to be a popular highlight, offering a fun and educational experience for all.

For those seeking a moment of tranquillity amidst the festive buzz, Heather Arnold from Find Your Calm Sanctuary CIC led a relaxing pre-Christmas mindfulness session. The session provided practical strategies for supporting mental health during the holiday season, including calming breathing exercises, stress management tips, and techniques for finding moments of peace. Attendees left feeling refreshed and equipped with tools to navigate the often-hectic festive period with greater calm and clarity.

Making Space’s Corporate Fundraising Lead, Natalie Bargery, highlighted the importance of the charity’s Real Cost of Christmas campaign:

“All the money raised at our Baking Space events, which are happening at our projects across the country, will contribute to the campaign’s total. The campaign aims to highlight the hidden challenges the season can bring while raising vital funds to support those in need.

“We are dedicated to ensuring the people we support find joy during the festive season, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part – our bakers who made some amazing and tasty bakes, our judges, the business who supported and those who attended to make it a fun and successful event. Their generosity is truly making a difference.”