Weekly Update

Welcome to our weekly update!

Creativity and Wellbeing: Create and Bloom!

Creativity is a powerful tool for supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing. At our Recovery College, we use creative courses to help individuals explore self-expression, build confidence, and find moments of calm and connection.

Activities like painting, writing, music, and crafting can help reduce stress, improve mood, and provide a sense of purpose. Creative expression encourages mindfulness and allows people to process emotions in a safe and supportive way — all of which are vital for recovery and resilience.

To make creativity even more accessible, we’re excited to tell you about the launch a new app designed to inspire daily creative engagement, created by Creative Minds. It offers a variety of short creative activities and guided exercises, along with information about local opportunities to get involved. Whether you have five minutes or an hour, there’s something for everyone.

Creativity isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being present, playful, and open to new ways of thinking. With the right tools and support, everyone can benefit from a little more creativity in their day.

The ground-breaking new creative health app  is designed to make creativity accessible to all through a series of painting, drawing, movement and creative writing exercises, provided by our expert partners and supportive creatives. Explore the app by downloading on Apple or Google Play. Read more on the website.

 

We still have spaces available in our upcoming sessions, and we’d love for you to be part of them. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting your wellness journey, there’s a place for you here (see below).

Read on for courses on offer and community information.

 

Still spaces available on these courses – click below to learn more!

Plot to Plate – 25 June, 9th July, 30th July – Outback Community Garden, Halifax

Join us for a hands-on cooking session where we turn fresh, locally grown produce from our beautiful community garden into delicious, nourishing meals. More than just a cooking class, it’s a chance to connect with others, unwind, and support your wellbeing through food, community, and creativity. No previous cooking experience is required.

Creative Wellbeing Walks –  19 June, 26 June

Come along and join our friendly facilitators, as we head out and enjoy the great outdoors for a walk in beautiful tranquil settings across Kirklees. There will be four walks in different locations across Kirklees over consecutive weeks, so you can book onto as many (or as few) as you like!

Self-Esteem & Resilience – Tuesday 17th June – 2 weeks

Delivered by the ever lovely Karl at ‘Waythrough’, this two week course will help you discover how to improve feelings of self worth and to build self esteem.

How to Find Freedom & Happiness with The Four Agreements – 23rd June- 4 weeks

Join us for this insightful four-week course based on the book by Don Miguel Ruiz.  With the help and support of our lovely Peer Workers, Karen and Ash, together we will learn about this simple set of ideas which will enable us to reflect on how we see our interactions with the world.

 

Full Recovery & Wellbeing College timetable

You can click the icon or link below for details of all our upcoming courses:

Click to book – View all courses – Calderdale and Kirklees Recovery College (calderdalekirkleesrc.nhs.uk)

 

How to book your place

If you are already enrolled with the college, please email us to request a place on your chosen course(s) at:  ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk  or call us on: 07717 867911 or you can use your learner portal to express your interest.

Please wait for confirmation that you are booked onto a course before attending.

If you are new to the College please enrol here.

Recovery College Learner Portal

If you have enrolled with us within the last 2 years or so you will have access to our learner portal. This makes booking onto courses even easier! You can request to book onto courses and see what course you have attended. Use the links below to the portal and our user guide.

Learner portal link

User guide

 

Other Community Offers

Men Walking and Talking – Huddersfield

Every Monday – Harold Wilson statue, Huddersfield train station, 6.30 pm

Men Walking and Talking provide a safe space and an opportunity for men (18+) to meet up for a walk, talk about their mental health, and get things off their chest. The Huddersfield walk is just one of 34 locations in the UK, with more being added regularly.

The website is here, if you’d like some further information:  Men Walking and Talking – Huddersfield

There is also a Facebook page called Men Walking and Talking – Huddersfield You can contact organiser, Steve, here or through the website link above.

The group meets every Monday, setting off at 6.30pm from the Harold Wilson statue in front of Huddersfield train station, and we walk for roughly 1 hour. There are also occasional social meet ups, and some longer walks scheduled on specific weekends.

It’s totally free, you don’t need to sign up, and there is no expectation whatsoever. Just come along for a walk and a chat, and feel free to talk about anything you like, or even just listen and get some exercise.

Coming up before Monday-  Big Walk and Talk- Saturday 14th June– meet 10 am at the Harold Wilson Statue

Big Free Weekend- Holmfirth Arts Festival- 14th and 15th June – Holmfirth Town Centre

The Big Free Weekend takes place outdoors in Holmfirth town centre on the 14 & 15 June and features world class street theatre alongside creative activities for families and people of all ages. Below are the events happening on Saturday 14 June

River of Art curated by Sarah Branson

Word Weave by Holmfirth Writers’ Group

Creative Activity Gazebo by Riverholme Connections

Valley Beats By Rhythm Stick

Scraptastic Gazebo by FairandFunky

Fairy Bubbles

Bollywood Dance Along with Salma’s Bollywood Academy

Valley Voices by Vocal Expressions Ladies Choir

The Thread That Binds Us by the Graveship of Holme

Pop Up Opera by Nicola Mills

The 1812 Upperthong Incident walk and talk

Stories from Word Weave by Holmfirth Writers’ Group

Full listings, timings, and information about the big weekend can be found on the website: https://www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk/whatson

Sound Women 40 years celebration – 19th July

Sound Women is always a very special night, showcasing the creativity and voices of an amazing variety of women from Women Centre and beyond. Words to warm the heart and bridge the world. We are hoping to make this year’s Sound Women a particularly memorable one to mark our 40^th anniversary.

You are all welcome to be a part of this evening and to invite family and friends (men are welcome).

Tickets can be bought at the door £6/£3 concession.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Saturday 19^th July!

 

Sound Women is always a very special night, showcasing the creativity and voices of an amazing variety of women from WomenCentre and beyond. Words to warm the heart and bridge the world. We are hoping to make this year’s Sound Women a particularly memorable one to mark our 40^th anniversary.

You are all welcome to be a part of this evening and to invite family and friends (men are welcome).

Tickets can be bought at the door £6/£3 concession.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Saturday 19^th July!

NHS 111 Mental Health Feedback Survey

Mental health crisis support is now available to anyone across West Yorkshire by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health crisis option. The West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership is keen to hear about your experience of accessing mental health crisis support using NHS 111 and other crisis support services. Your answers will help us to identify future improvements that could be made to the service.

You can access the survey using this link: https://re-url.uk/WLRB

If you need any help filling in this survey, or would like it in an alternative format, please call 01924 317 659 or email: wyicb-wak.wrhreception@nhs.net

 

Growing Works – outdoor therapeutic activities

Growing Works offers a range of activities to encourage health and wellbeing by being outdoors in a supported and accessible environment providing the opportunity to socialise organically and connect to nature.

For adults:

Bud adult volunteering sessions at Wakefield Road allotments, every Tuesday and Thursday 10am – 1pm, for gardening, maintenance, and construction tasks. Travel expenses available and soup provided.

Open for All:

Dalton Community Gardens on Mondays 1pm – 3pm; enjoy the surrounding or help us to garden, making it beautiful and productive; it is a great space for the community to enjoy at any time.

Sprout at Crow Nest Park- for SEND/SEMH families

Outdoor fun in relaxed accessible environment. for children (aged 12 and under). No diagnosis required.

Saturdays 10 am – 12 pm Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury WF132SG

Scan the QR code to view session times

For more information contact Rachel or Jess at info@growingworks.org.uk and see our website for flyers of all activities Session Times and Information – Growing Works, please help us to pass the word on.

Kirklees- Coming up soon

Proper Job- activity listings

Friday 20th June to Friday 4th July:
LAB Project
(Induction + 10 days, 10am to 4pm, Mon to Fri)

Work with the tutors on communication and teamworking skills to help you take your next steps, and gain an accredited Level 1 Extended Award in Learning, Employability and Progression

Progression Event: (Thursday 3rd July, 10am to 12noon)

Your organisation’s opportunity to connect with a group of learners ready to progress.

Incentives:

Across all courses. Up to £5 per day reimbursed travel costs. Plus £5 voucher for each day of course completed including Tasters (Up to £50 for learners completing LAB Project)

Eligibility:

Must have the right to live and work in the UK (or have been a resident for a minimum of 6 months)

Must be unemployed, low earning, seeking work, retired, off sick or economically inactive and must be over the age of 19 (born on or before 31/08/2005)

Contact:

Email:  engagement@properjob.org.uk and mollie@properjob.org.uk

Phone: office 01484514687

Mobile: 07716639494

Kirklees Woven – a celebration of innovation in textiles across Kirklees – 1st to 30th June

WOVEN is a biennial festival that began in 2019, with this year’s big event in summer 2025.

It is initiated by Kirklees Council, but is owned by everyone, including community groups, textile businesses, cultural and educational organisations, artists and heritage sites across the district.

Browse the website at https://woveninkirklees.co.uk/  to get a flavour of the wide range of events and workshops.

Creative Kirklees What’s On- full events listings

Just scroll down the page for events this week and later at this link- What’s On

You might also want to visit the Music events page at Music as there is a wide range of events currently.

You can find more festivals listings at Festivals & Carnivals

What’s on in Calderdale

Visit https://www.visitcalderdale.com/whats-on/ for full listings.

Calderdale 50 plus also have what’s on listings at https://calderdaleforum50plus.com/events-activities/

3-2-1 Walks: Get outdoors and enjoy easy to follow routes in Calderdale!

Build your fitness and improve your health with 3-2-1 Walks from Active Calderdale and Calderdale Forum 50 Plus. Choose from easy-to-follow routes and see how far you can walk in a week or a month. Getting active by walking regularly can improve both your physical and mental health. Our short, easy-to-follow walks can be enjoyed alone or in the company of family and friends.

More information at 3-2-1 Walks – Calderdale Forum 50 Plus

Curious Motion – Events, Elland

Several different events:

Curious Motion’s Curious Youth- June 19th- 16:30 – 18:00.An inspiring and creative art session for families with professional artist Sarah O’Boyle.

Click on link for more details and to book. 

Curious Motion Refugee Week Event- Saturday 21st June between 1-4pm.I n collaboration with Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary, at Project Colt, Bridgefield Mills, Elland Bridge, Elland, HX5 0SG.

See https://www.culturedale.co.uk/events/curious-motion-refugee-week-event

Curious Motion Brews and Grooves- June 24th,  10:00 – 11:30. Brews & Grooves focuses on sharing joy and connection with others through contemporary dance and creative movement; supporting participants to feel confident in their physicality and explore their creativity together. No dance experience needed, everyone is welcome.

Click on link for more details and to book.

Welland Walks- Curious Motion, Elland

First Thursday of each month, 10am

Welland Walks are gentle and accessible walks for wellbeing, taking place monthly in Elland. An opportunity to come together with others and enjoy the wonderful benefits to your mood, sleep, and immune system that nature can offer. Each walk involves a short creative activity to explore connections to the local landscape. The walks involve a route along the canal for around an hour, and start and finish at Project Colt on Elland Bridge. Children are welcome but remain the responsibility of their parent / carer at all times.

Led by fantastic Volunteer Walk Leader, Debbie, these are informal and restorative walks to help clear the mind and warm the body.

More details, contact and booking link at Welland Walks – Curious Motion

Kirklees Libraries – event listings- a selection

Long Covid Support at Batley Library – 11 am- 12 pm every Thursday

Support for people living with long Covid. Delivered by the Wellness Service, Kirklees Council.

More details at Long Covid Support at Batley Library

Step By Step Job Club at Batley Library – Thursday 1 pm- 4 pm

Employment advice and help with writing CVs and applying for jobs. Run by Paddock Trust

More details at Step By Step Job Club at Batley Library

Batley Library Crochet Group – Friday 10.00-11.30 am

For novices to experienced hookers, bring along your own crochet project and learn a thing or two from other members, have a chat and make new friends.

More details at Batley Library crochet group

Take part in activities and events for all ages. Browse the listings here: Kirklees Libraries Events

Calderdale Libraries – event listings

Browse the listings here: Library events | Calderdale Council

Hebden Bridge Picture House

Cost of Living Information:

Click the link below to find links to websites and workbooks that can provide help and advice with money, debt and the cost of living.

Cost of Living Information – Calderdale and Kirklees

Follow us on our socials here:

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Have a great weekend!

The Recovery & Wellbeing College Team

ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk

 07717 867911

Calderdale and Kirklees Recovery and Wellbeing College

Correspondence address:

Ravensleigh Resource Unit
28 Oxford Road
Dewsbury
WF13 4LL