This year saw standout creations across inpatient and residential services – including multi-tier bakes, themed fondant characters, chocolate winter scenes and handmade designs inspired by everything from Santa’s workshop to the Coca-Cola Christmas truck.
Prizes were awarded to the top three Health Care and Social Care winners, with gift vouchers going to winners in the colleague category. Entries were judged on creativity, originality and the involvement of the people we support in baking and design.
Health Care Winners
First Prize – Cygnet Aspen Clinic
Four service users at Cygnet Aspen Clinic scooped the top spot with a stunning four-tier bake featuring fruit cake, chocolate sponge, lemon sponge and a festive red coffee cake “present” on top.
Every element was created by the service users, using gluten-free ingredients so everyone could enjoy a slice. They worked from recipes, judged their own flavouring, and handmade the fondant decorations – from candy canes and Christmas trees to Santa himself.
Judges praised the bake for its traditional festive colours, joyful characters and the inclusive gluten-free approach that ensured every member of the group could enjoy the end result.
Second Prize – Cygnet Grange and Cygnet Lodge
Two service users teamed up to produce a rich chocolate mud cake. This cake was chosen to reconnect one service user with baking skills that were part of his identity before admission.
Another service user took full creative control of decorating, insisting on one rule: “The cake must feature a purple penguin!”
With icing snow, marzipan trees, marshmallow snowmen and the purple penguin centrepiece, judges loved the humour, teamwork and therapeutic value behind the bake.
Third Prize – Cygnet Newton House
Cygnet Newton House made a dramatic entrance into the competition with a fruit-cake recreation of the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas truck – with lights and Blackpool-themed scenery.
The cake took two days to prepare, with decorating sessions full of Christmas songs, snacks and group involvement.
Judges loved seeing a newly-joined service throw themselves into the fun and bring a favourite festive symbol to life.
Social Care Winners
First Prize – Beacon House
Beacon House wowed judges with a celebration cake bursting with fondant presents, baubles, candy canes and Santa himself.
The individuals we support weighed ingredients, mixed the batter and piped buttercream, with support from staff for the tricky elements.
Judges highlighted the scale of the bake and the skill on show, particularly the delicate piping, and loved how fully the people we support embraced every creative step.
“We’re very proud of all their hard work,” said Home Manager Paul Helliwell-Kenny.
Second Prize – Oaklands
The people we support at Oaklands held a meeting, agreed on a winter town theme, then headed to the supermarket together to buy ingredients before singing along to Christmas songs while they baked.
The finished drip-cake – complete with Santa, sleigh and handmade characters – charmed the judges, who noted how ambitious drip cakes can be and how clearly everyone enjoyed taking part.
Third Prize – Pines
Pines delivered festive fun with “The Elf Workshop” – a two-tier cake packed with snowmen, Christmas trees, gingerbread figures and candy canes.
The people supported at Pines chose decorations, helped shop for ingredients, and sampled as they went, which made the whole experience sensory, social and joyful.
Judges loved the playful mix of characters – including Santa and the Grinch – and the way the people we support helped shape the cake from start to finish.
Colleague Winners
Three colleagues also earned recognition for their creativity, each receiving a gift voucher.
Becky Casson – “A Winter Warmer”
Responsible Officer Assistant Becky produced a hot-chocolate-inspired chocolate cake with gingerbread-style fondant figures and cable-knit icing detail. Judges praised the craftsmanship and cosy concept.
Aben Zofenyui Sake – Elf-assisted Christmas magic
Activity Coordinator Aben designed a playful Christmas scene to represent the individuals supported on Treetops Ward at Cygnet Hospital Sherwood, showcasing artistic flair and festive humour.
Janine Oliver – Spreadsheet-to-spatula transformation
Janine, from Cygnet Paddocks’ admin team, swapped office duties for icing work, creating a cake full of cheer, colour and competitive spirit – impressing judges with her attention to detail.
Celebrating Inclusive Christmas Creativity
This year, the judges said they were particularly impressed by the way people we support have embraced the event – taking part in planning, choosing flavours, shopping for ingredients and contributing to every stage of the design.
“Everyone who took part should feel proud of what they achieved,” judges commented. “The creativity, inclusivity and festive spirit on display were exceptional.”