Weekly Update

Welcome to the Weekly Update

This week marks World Mental Health Day (10th October) but the message behind it is one we carry with us every day at the Recovery & Wellbeing College.

Mental health isn’t just something we talk about once a year — it’s part of our daily lives, our relationships, and our recovery journeys. Whether you’re a learner, volunteer, facilitator, or staff member, your wellbeing matters. Your story matters.

This year’s theme, “Access to Services,” highlights a vital truth: everyone should be able to find the support they need, when they need it. At the College, we’re proud to offer a space where people can access learning, connection, and hope — without judgment, without barriers. There are no tests or assessments to access our College just a commitment to our learner charter.

We’ve built a safe, welcoming community where people look out for one another, share openly, and grow together. Recovery is defined by each of us, within the context of our own lives and what matters to us. You don’t need to be “fixed” to live a life of value and worth.

Sharing our experiences is a catalyst for healing and change. If you’ve found something meaningful here, tell others. Help us reach more people who might benefit from being part of this community. Every conversation, every shared moment, helps break down stigma and builds hope.

If the Recovery College has helped you… it may well help someone else and give them access to a service that could change their life.

Come and see our Community Quilt! The quilt will be touring venues across the districts, so you’ll have plenty of chances to come and view this heartfelt creation. For dates and venues, see below (more to be added soon!)

• The Arcade Pop-Up, 25 Princess of Wales Precinct, Dewsbury – From Weds 8 October – 12 November
• Project Colt, Bridgefield Mills, Elland Bridge, Elland – From Tuesday 18 November – 8 January 2026
• Laura Mitchell Health & Wellbeing Centre, Great Albion St, Halifax – on Tuesday 13 January 2026

Whether you’re a maker, a supporter, or simply curious, we’d love you to come and see this incredible artwork and see what recovery looks like in stitches!

 

A Plan for Living Well, Dewsbury – Cancelled.  Unfortunately, due to a high number of cancellations, we have had to cancel our ‘A Plan for Living Well’ course in Dewsbury.  We understand that circumstances can change and appreciate everyone’s interest in this course.  We know this will be disappointing for those still planning to attend, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.  The good news is that there are still spaces available on A Plan for Living Well starting in November in Elland and we will also be running the course in Huddersfield in January, which will be available to book very soon!  We will also be running this in other locations throughout 2026.

 

More Exciting Courses Ahead – Book Now!

Our courses are now filling up fast — so don’t wait, check them out and book your spot! If a course you’re interested in is full, just let us know and we’ll pop you on the waiting list in case a space opens up.

BRAND NEW COURSE:

Making Sense of Relationships: patterns, roles and boundaries

Tuesday 18 November at 1.30pm – 4pm (3 weeks) The Arcade Pop-Up, 25 Princess of Wales Precinct, Dewsbury

We are pleased to offer a brand-new Recovery College course Making Sense of Relationships which looks at the patterns we fall into, the roles we play, and how boundaries shape our connections.  Whether you’re curious about your own relationship dynamics or want to build healthier ones, this course offers a safe space to reflect, learn, and grow.

 

There are still some courses with spaces, including those highlighted below — take a look and book on!

The Delights of Decopatch

Wednesday 19th November – Project Colt, Elland, Halifax, Bridgefield Mills, Elland Bridge, Elland, Halifax HX5 0SQ – 1pm- 3pm – 3 weeks (still spaces available)

Decopatch is a creative activity using mixed media and paper craft techniques. On this fabulous course, our amazing volunteer, Wendy will introduce you to the techniques of this wonderful craft and you’ll have the opportunity to create some fantastic items for your home or as a gift to a friend.

Due to the popularity of this course and to ensure we are being fair to everyone, priority will be given to learners who have not undertaken this course previously.

A Plan for Living Well Information session

Tuesday 21 October  – Project Colt Halifax – 1.30pm-3.00pm

Join us for this information session and discover more about A Plan for Living Well  A potentially life changing course that will help us to create our own wellness plan and get back into the driving seat of our lives! Please note that learners must have completed at least two previous courses or workshops with us and attend this introductory session to participate in the full course- it’s a great way to make sure the course is the right fit for you at this time.

Mindfulness

Thursday 23 October – 11am – 12pm – Online – 8 weeks

Mindfulness is a life skill we can all learn. Being mindful provides us with the opportunity to respond to difficult events and situations in new ways. This 8 week online course using MS Teams, looks at the origins of mindfulness, core practices and its potential to be used to combat stress.

Managing OCD

Tuesday 11 November – 12.30pm – 2.30pm – Folly Hall, Huddersfield – 1 week

This learning seminar will help you develop your knowledge and awareness of OCD, how OCD affects you, or those you care for, and most importantly what can be done to manage it. Delivered by our partners, Kirklees Talking Therapies service, this learning seminar will be facilitated by two friendly psychological wellbeing practitioners.

Self Esteem and Resilience

Tuesday 11 November – 1pm – 3pm – Thrive at Connect Housing, Dewsbury – 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.  Together we will look at practical ways to maintain and increase our resilience against the stressors and strains of daily life and learn how to weather those storms!

Please be aware that due to Waythrough’s funding, priority will be given to learners living in Kirklees.

View our full course offer here:

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

 

Community Offers

What’s On in Kirklees

Click https://communitydirectory.kirklees.gov.uk/communityDirectory/whatsOn.aspx to browse a wide range of events

Listed in the community directory now are a selection of craft based workshops and courses, some of which are free eg the Creative Station ones by Hoot.  Browse the link at https://www.creativekirklees.com/en-UK/search?collection_id=62e0fb801e4a174cd08b8d9a&contentTab=time-sensetive&sort=startDate

also Marsden Jazz Festival next weekend 10-12 October – Marsden Jazz Festival 2025

Also coming up soon…

 

Waythrough- What’s on until Christmas

This is the latest list of workshops Waythrough are  running up until Christmas. This includes some new courses: Coping Skills, and Retention in Work. These activities are open to everyone aged 18 or over who lives in Kirklees and experiences mental health issues, problems, or concerns. You do not need to be seeing an employment advisor to join. Simply email or call the number below and ask for Karl Jackson-Lander the Peer Support Coordinator who will assist you to fill out a short referral form so you can attend.

What’s On October- December 2025 (PDF, 263 KB)

KES Referral Form Updated 2024 (2) (DOCX, 94 KB)

For more information or to book a place please contact:
Karl Jackson-Lander on:
Mobile: 07909 993203
Email: Karl.Jackson-Lander@waythrough.org.uk
Huddersfield Office: The Media Centre, 7 Northumberland St, HD1 1RL

 

Support to Recovery – October schedule now available

You can now view below the October schedule of  face-to-face workshops,
Zoom sessions and Facebook releases this October. Website at https://www.s2r.org.uk/

Support To Recovery October 2025 Schedule (PDF, 780 KB)

Proper Job – upcoming October in Huddersfield

Upcoming courses below from Proper Job:

Monday 20th to Friday 24th October:

Master the Game

(5 days, 10am to 4pm, Mon to Fri)

Our Master the Game course is a short course designed to support people who are interested in a career in the creative industries. The course aims to help you develop ideas around pursuing a path as a creative freelancer or developing a creative business idea. Master the Game follows a simple structure, starting with personal reflection, followed by a mixture of market analysis and skills development which ultimately help you to create a plan and understand and how to move forward with your ideas.

MASTER THE GAME | Pace Project

Friday 24th October:

LAB Taster Session

(3 hours, 10am-1pm)

See our space, meet the team, and try out some activities before committing to a full course!

Incentives:

Across all LAB courses*

Up to £5 per day reimbursed travel costs

PLUS

£5 voucher for each day of course completed including Tasters

*Not including Master the Game

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 31/08/2006)

Contact:

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

Phone: Office – 01484514687
Mobile – 07716639494

 

Holmfirth Tech

Visit https://holmfirthtech.co.uk/whats-on/ for the events listings

For more activities to do with health and wellbeing visit: https://communitydirectory.kirklees.gov.uk/communityDirectory/ThingsToDo.aspx?q=health

https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/community-plus/our-events.aspx

 

What’s On in Calderdale

Click https://www.visitcalderdale.com/whats-on/ to browse a wide range of events.

You can also find more events at https://calderdaleforum50plus.com/events-activities/

Also coming up soon..

What’s On at Project Colt, Elland

Housed within the historic walls of Elland’s Bridgefield Mills, Project Colt is a safe space full of understanding and open to people who may need extra support.

More than just a building, our mill is a thriving hub brimming with activities, workshops, a bustling cafe, and unique shopping experiences.  People can connect, learn, create, and support one another.

Browse the link at https://www.projectcolt.org.uk/whats-on/

 

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

You can also find more information on walking in Calderdale at https://www.visitcalderdale.com/visitor-information/walking-in-calderdale/

 

Physical Activity Ideas: Mixenden, Illingworth, Ovenden & Boothtown

Active Calderdale have published some very useful physical activity guides for Mixenden, Illingworth, Ovenden and Boothtown.

See https://calderdaleforum50plus.com/2025/08/05/physical-activity-ideas-mixenden-illingworth-ovenden-boothtown/ for more information.

Grow Well

Get your hands mucky, get active and meet new people every Wednesday from 9am – 12pm at the Outback Community Garden, Halifax. For details click here: Grow Well Gardening for Wellbeing sessions – Halifax Opportunities Trust

 

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

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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