As the festive season approaches, a national social care charity is launching a campaign to raise awareness for the unseen mental health impacts of Christmas.

Making Space, based in Warrington, has named its campaign "The Real Cost of Christmas."

The initiative seeks to highlight the emotional and mental health toll of the season, often overlooked amid the celebrations.

Bob Towers, the fundraising manager at Making Space, said: "At Making Space, we wanted to focus on something beyond the financial cost of Christmas.

"While often portrayed as a joyful time, the reality can be very different, especially for people living with dementia, mental health conditions, learning disabilities, unpaid carers, and those who may not celebrate Christmas at all."

The charity points out how the season can bring increased feelings of loneliness, loss, financial pressure, and emotional strain.

This can be particularly intense for those who do not celebrate, as the prevalence of holiday traditions and gatherings may heighten feelings of exclusion or disconnection.

The funds raised by the campaign will go towards essential services such as activity groups to reduce isolation, hardship support for basic living costs, access to emotional support and counselling, and practical advice and information.

In December, Making Space will host "Baking Space" coffee mornings and bake sales to bring communities together and support those in need.

In Warrington, the event will be held at the charity's HQ on Allen Street, from 11am to 1pm on December 11.

The venue, Café Connect, is a community café offering affordable meals, social connections, and mental health support.

As part of the event, Mario Li from Monia’s Cakes will judge the Bake Off competition.

He will provide feedback to all entrants before selecting the winner, who will receive a voucher from Monia’s Cakes.

Heather Arnold from Find Your Calm Sanctuary CIC will give a talk on supporting mental health during the festive season.

She will share mindfulness techniques and calming breathing exercises to help reduce Christmas burnout.

A collection bin is also available at Tesco Extra on Warrington Road until December 20.

Donations of practical and gift items are being gathered to support those in need this Christmas.

Suggested items include gloves, scarves, hats, socks, toiletries, blankets, chocolates, biscuits, jams, adult activity books, hot drink gift sets, and non-perishable food items like cereal and noodle pots.

Mr Towers added: "We’re also grateful for the support of local businesses, including Countrywide Health Care in Barnsley and Neuven in Manchester, for collecting gifts for those we support, and Wiltshire Farm Foods for donating cakes to our Baking Space events and hampers to Sandalwood Dementia Day Centre in Doncaster."

You are also invited to take part in the Making Space Christmas Raffle, where for just £2 a ticket, you could win prizes like £200 cash, vouchers from Marks and Spencer, Amazon, and more - including a paintball session for ten and other gifts.

The raffle draw will take place on January 2, 2025, and is open to over-18s.

Learn more about the campaign, make a donation, purchase a raffle ticket, or explore Baking Space on their website.