Weekly Update

Welcome to the weekly update!

As the nights draw in and the pace of life picks up, it’s more important than ever to take time for ourselves. This month, we’re offering a series of gentle, creative workshops at Project Colt in Elland — perfect for boosting your wellbeing and connecting with others.

These one-off sessions are a lovely way to look after your wellbeing as winter settles in. Spaces are limited, so book soon if something speaks to you.

As always we have the usual community offers and events listed below! Of note is the Christmas Fayre at Mirfield Community Centre on 23rd November. For that and more do read on!

In case you missed it you can read our latest Keeping Connected newsletter here, which highlights men’s health and wellbeing.

Keeping Connected Nov 2025

New Resource Alert – Learner Welcome Pack – multiple emails received?

If you’ve been affected please accept our sincere apologies. We’ve had a glitch with the database and we’re working with the provider to prevent a reoccurrence of this.

Learner Bookings & Feedback

We’re currently experiencing a high number of cancellations, which can sometimes mean that courses or workshops may not be able to go ahead ☹

To help us keep things running smoothly and ensure everyone gets the most out of their experience, please keep the following in mind:

✅ Check your diary before booking – make sure you’re available for the full duration of the course.
✅ Be kind to yourself – we recommend booking no more than three courses at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Once you’ve completed one, feel free to book another!

We really value your honest feedback
It helps us decide which courses to repeat in the future and how we can improve them. After your course finishes, please take a few minutes to complete our electronic evaluation form. If you’d prefer a paper copy, just let us know – we’re happy to provide one.

Thank you for helping us make the College a supportive and well-organised space for everyone 😊

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

Self Esteem and Resilience

Tuesday 11 November 2025 – 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. 

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.

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.

Understanding Hearing Voices

Thursday 20 November 2025 1pm – 3pm – Online –  1 week

Did you know that the experience of hearing voices that other people do not is more common than many of us realise? Are you interested in developing an understanding of what the experience of hearing voices may mean to you or someone you care about? If so why not come along to this friendly, online workshop co-facilitated by someone with lived experience and someone with professional experience.

Snowflakes Workshop

Friday 21 November 2025 at 10am-12pm – Project Colt, Elland, Halifax – 1 week

During this one-off festive winter workshop, we will discover how to create handmade decorations for our homes and/or cards and gifts. Using nothing but a pencil, paper and scissors we will make beautiful snowflake decorations where we can spend a little time focusing on this simple activity and distract ourselves from the stress of the busy season ahead. No previous experience is necessary, and everyone is welcome.

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

Mirfield Community Centre – Christmas Fair

Waterroyd Lane, Mirfield, WF149SG

Sunday 23rd Nov 2025, 10am – 3pm

We are pleased to be hosting our annual Christmas Fair and bringing some of the most talented local people to the centre. We have a wide variety of stalls giving the perfect opportunity to buy unique gifts for family and friends.

We have a pre-loved teddy tombola with a prize every time. Join us in our very reasonably priced cafe with hot and cold food & drinks.

Huddersfield to Ukraine are joining us this year, providing some fun outdoor games, glitter face painting & tattoos.

Free Entry

Connecting the Generations – Drop in session Kirklees College Thursday 27th November

Do you need help with your smartphone, tablet or laptop? Get help with:

Text messages
Emails
Video calls
Changing settings
Using or downloading an app
And much more

Young and knowledgeable volunteers from Kirklees College can help for FREE
Simply pop into Kirklees College between 10:00 and 12:00 on Thursday 27th November where you can get friendly support and
have a chat with our students
Note: volunteers cannot help with banking apps or finances
For more information, contact Brian Culleton on b.a.culleton@hud.ac.uk

This information you can also download on the accessible poster below.

Connecting the Generations – accessible poster (PDF, 422 KB)

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

Creative Minds Festive Fun Day for adults with learning disabilities Thursday 18th Dec 2025

Time: 10.30am-2pm (please arrive for a check-in at 10.30am, pitch activities start at 11am)
Venue: The Zone, St Andrews Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6PT (Near Huddersfield Town football club stadium).

Please arrive for a check-in at 10.30am, pitch activities start at 11am.

It’s a free event but booking is essential.                                                          

Whats on:

• The return of the “Festive bops and pops” (with Makaton) with our Creative Minds Creative practitioners
• join the lovely NHS learning disabilities staff for some gentle fete games
• multisports with Huddersfield Giants staff
• There will be a stall with health and wellbeing information eg falls prevention, the benefits of physical activity, winter health, hospital passports, physical healthchecks
• Photo booth
• tabletop activities

There is a reasonably priced café but you may want to bring a packed lunch and fluids. There is plenty of seating.  Please note that unfortunately the venue doesn’t have a changing place hoist toilet. Parking is free and plentiful, so minibuses/cars are welcome. Activities will take place on the two 3G pitches.

Booking is essential as places are limited, please email Alex alex.feather1@swyt.nhs.uk  or phone Alex on 07827-232698

As some of the activities are physical and involve using equipment we provide a handy pre -exercise readiness questionnaire attached if you need it. We don’t need to see these assessments but please bring them with you on the day and inform staff/coaches of any particular needs or concerns that need their attention.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Dewsbury Creatives – DeStash Event on Saturday 8 November

Looking for a crafty bargain? Join Dewsbury Creatives for their DeStash event, where local stallholders will be selling a mix of arts and crafts supplies alongside some of their handmade creations. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting out, this is a great opportunity to stock up on materials and discover unique handmade items.

📍 The Arcade Pop-Up, Princess of Wales Precinct, Dewsbury (next door to Boots)
🕚 11am – 3pm

Come along and support local creatives!

Growing Works Therapeutic Outdoor Activities- November and December

Coming up in November and December- contact Rachel to book a place – info@growingworks.org.uk

Mindful Crafts for Adults

Growing Works has some great Adult Mindful Craft sessions on Saturday afternoons to brighten us up as the days get shorter. Chill out and relax whilst crafting in the outdoor environment at Wakefield Road allotment.

Saturdays 15^th November  – decoupage jars  and 29^th November  – bundle dying ; 2-4pm
Saturday 13^th December; 1:30-3:30pm  – recycled paper weaving trees

BUD Adult Volunteering sessions

BUD sessions run every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-1pm at Wakefield Road Allotments. Sessions include a lovely homemade soup cooked in the outdoor kitchen.  Final session of the year celebrating with campfire and food is on Tuesday 23^rd December

Sprout 

Sessions are for families with children with SEND/SEMH, 12 years and below. It is a welcoming place to have fun in the outdoors in a non-judgmental space, where you can socialise in your own way. Sprout runs every Saturday morning – 10:30am-12:30pm at Wakefield Road Allotments, Huddersfield. We do require participants to fill out our forms so we can provide the best service and to book on to sessions, contact Rachel to book a place – info@growingworks.org.uk

 

Christmas holidays  – join us for nature exploration and fun at Oakwell Hall Country Park, Nova Ln, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LF on Tuesday 30th December and Friday 2nd January, 10:00am – 2:00pm

 

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

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/ 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/ – you can also view shorter walks at https://heartofthepennines.org.uk/shorter-walks/

 

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

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