Keeping Connected and the Weekly Update

Welcome to the weekly update and our monthly newsletter, Keeping Connected!

Hello friends! November’s here, and we’re diving into Men’s Health Month with tips, honest conversations, and a brilliant short film from our amazing peer workers about why cancer screening matters — especially for those of us living with mental health challenges.  We’ve also got some great reads: Erika, our Recovery Coach, shares how pressing pause on social media gave her wellbeing a boost, and Kirsty, our Trainee Clinical Psychologist, reflects on what autumn can teach us about letting go of what no longer serves us.  There’s plenty more to explore, so pop the kettle on and settle in!

Keeping Connected Nov 2025

📅 New Year courses now live!
Our courses for the New Year are now up on the website and ready to book. Before booking please remember to:

✅ Check your diary before booking
✅ Make sure your chosen courses don’t overlap
✅ Be kind to yourself; we recommend booking no more than 3 courses at once, to avoid feeling over-faced later 

Last few spaces on these upcoming courses – book now to avoid disappointment:- 

Sparkle & Shine: an introduction to jewellery making

Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield – Monday 10 November 2025 1pm – 3.30pm – 3 weeks
Mirfield Community Centre – Wednesday 25 February 2026 10am – 12.30pm 3 weeks

Come along and join our friendly facilitators, Nicky & Jana as together we learn how to create unique pieces of jewellery on this introductory course.

This course is delivered in a warm, safe space and everyone is welcome. No previous experience required and all materials provided.

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.

Managing OCD

Folly Hall, Huddersfield – Tuesday 11th November, 12.30 – 2.30pm – one-off workshop – LAST BOOKING DATE: 4th November!

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. The session will introduce proven, self-help techniques to teach you the skills to manage your own symptoms and become your own therapist. Delivered by our partners, Kirklees Talking Therapies service, this learning seminar will be facilitated by two friendly psychological wellbeing practitioners.

Gift Bags

Friday 14 November 2025 -10am-12pm – Project Colt, Elland, Halifax – 1 week

Alongside our wonderful Creative Practitioner, Sara, using everyday items we will learn how to make gift bags which are great for unusual shaped gifts and add a personal touch, while also saving money. No previous experience is necessary, and all materials are provided. A list of materials needed for this workshop will be sent to you in advance of the session. This one-off winter workshop is a great opportunity to focus on a simple activity and forget about our worries for a while.

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.

Steps to Success

Thursday 6 November 2025 – 10am – 12.30pm – Mirfield Community Centre – 5 weeks

This popular and inspiring course delivered by Kirklees Success Centre introduces us to different strategies we can use to help develop our self-esteem, motivation and plans for the future. It also looks at ways that we can make changes to our lives, if we so wish, either now or in the weeks, months or years ahead.

Wellbeing Jar Workshop

Tuesday 18 November 2025 – 10.00am-12.00pm – Project Colt, Elland, Halifax- 1 week

Come and join us for a fun and creative morning where you will be taught to create a Wellbeing Jar! Over this two-hour course, you will be supported to learn about what a wellbeing jar is, and how it can help with your overall wellbeing by supporting you to improve and maintain your mental health each day. It is also a nice taster session for our longer 6 week course, The Wellbeing Toolkit.

 

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

 

🎬 Lights, Camera, Action – Our Peer Support Stars Shine Bright!

We’re thrilled to celebrate Ash, Gary, Karen, and Sara – four of our amazing Peer Support Workers – who’ve been involved in a powerful project in Calderdale that’s all about boosting cancer screening and awareness in the mental health community.

As part of this important work, two brilliant short films were created, tackling a serious issue: people living with serious mental illness often face a life expectancy 15–20 years shorter than average, with many of these deaths being preventable. That’s why promoting cancer screening and making services more accessible is so vital.

Despite the heavy topic, Ash, Gary, Karen, and Sara approached it with courage, humour, and heart – and the result is something truly special. We couldn’t be prouder!

Please take a few minutes to watch, and feel free to share these films and their message far and wide.

🎥 Bits, Boobs and Poo 
https://bit.ly/BitsBoobsandPooFilm

Designed for the public, especially those with mental health conditions, this film helps break down the fear around cancer screening and encourages open, honest conversations.

🎬 A Right to Live
https://bit.ly/RightToLiveFilm

Aimed at health and care professionals, this one highlights how services can better support people with serious mental illness.

 

Community Offers

What’s On in Kirklees

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

Grassroots Batley Dewsbury: Walking Toward Wellbeing

Grassroots Batley Dewsbury is a community-led group creating welcoming spaces to support mental and physical health. Their popular women-led walking group offers relaxed, friendly walks most Thursdays from Starbucks, Bradford Road, Batley — free and suitable for all abilities.

To join or learn more, contact 07891 488191 or follow them on Instagram: @grassrootsbatleydewsbury

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

Mirfield Community Centre

As well as courses run by the Recovery College, the community centre hosts a range of other events and activities. Visit their website at https://mirfieldcommunitycentre.org/ for more information.

You can also visit their Facebook page

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/

Currently running until 31st October –  Hebden Bridge Halloween Window Trail

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/ for their activities calendar.

 

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