Keeping Connected and the Weekly Update
Keeping Connected and the Weekly Update
Welcome to the weekly update! Please click the link below to read our festive December edition of Keeping Connected:
Keeping Connected December 2022 (PDF, 5 MB)
As temperatures fall and prices continue to rise, don’t forget about our revised Winter Well-ies Workbook which includes ideas that can help you to save a few pennies over the holidays and through the winter, as well as ideas for boosting your winter wellbeing. If you’d like a copy, we’ll post one out to our learners free of charge – all you have to do is email or call us!
Brand New Courses!
Mindful Doodles for Carers
Thursday 19th January 1pm-2.30pm (3 weeks)
Online
Being a carer can be hard and we know looking after yourself is not something that always comes naturally. Taking some time out to focus on a mindful and creative activity can be a tonic and help your wellbeing. So come and join us to learn simple, mindful drawing techniques including Neurographica, Mark Making, Repetitive Patterns and Zendoodles alongside other carers.
These are simple and easy to do anytime and can fit into your busy schedules. Drawing is great way to switch off and relax your mind!
Mindful Doodles for Carers online
What the Heck are Archives?
Wednesday 18th January 10-30am-12pm (1 week)
Kirklees Recovery and Wellbeing College hub – Mirfield
Join us for this brand new introductory workshop delivered in partnership with West Yorkshire Archive Service. You will discover exactly what archives are and how you can use them to unlock the doors of your own family history. Perhaps you were descended from a knight? Or maybe your family name bears a coat of arms? Archive research can help you find out more about your heritage as well as learning about local history.
What the Heck are Archives? Mirfield
Song Writing
Thursday 12th January 10am-12pm (6 weeks)
Calderdale Recovery and Wellbeing College hub- Hope Street Halifax
Are you a music lover? Would you like to meet new people and collaborate in a creative setting with others? Have you ever fancied having a go at writing your own song? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the course for you!
In this free 6-week course we will explore the basics of song writing and you will have the opportunity to create and play music in a group setting. This course is open to anyone who would like to have a go at writing a song whether you are a complete beginner, or already have some musical abilities and would like to exercise these. You will also have the opportunity to record and keep a copy of your group song at the end of the course.
Song Writing! Hope Street Halifax
Last chance to book:
Yoga: Breathe, Move, Relax
Thursday 26 January 10.30-11.30 am
Kirklees Recovery and Wellbeing College hub – Mirfield
We have a brand-new course starting in the New Year at the RWC in Kirklees. Read the Tutors, Laura’s blog to discover how Yoga helped her to manage Depression.
Join us where together we will explore the various tools and techniques of Yoga including breathing practices, gentle flowing movement, meditation and relaxation. It will provide the opportunity to focus on the now, allowing you to let your thoughts just be, leaving you feeling calm, relaxed and ready to walk back into the outside world.
Delivered by Laura at Umbrella Yoga, this ten-week course is suitable for complete beginners or those with previous experience and incorporates accessible practices; movements can be adapted and learners are able to participate from a chair if needed.
Yoga: Breathe, Move, Relax – face to face Mirfield
Kayaking Winter Paddle
Various dates in December (each is a one-off session):
Thursday 15 December 2022, 10.45am – 1.30pm (1 week)
Calder and Hebble Navigation, Sowerby Bridge
Thanks to the success of the Kayak Taster sessions that we have been running this year with our partners Blackdog Outdoors, we are now offering ‘one off’ Winter Paddle sessions. Please note these sessions are available to any of our learners who have attended a Kayak Taster session this year.
Mood and Food
Tuesday 10 January 2023, 1pm – 3pm (2 weeks)
Kirklees Recovery & Wellbeing College hub – Mirfield
During this informal two-week course, delivered by our partners at the Richmond Fellowship, we will look at the links between what we eat and our mental and physical wellbeing. We will discuss the types of food that can have a positive or negative impact on our mental health, practical ways to start and maintain a balanced eating plan and what to look out for and avoid when reading ingredients.
Managing Depression
Tuesday 10 January 12.30-2.30pm (1 week)
Online
This learning seminar aims to help you understand depression, how it affects you and how you can start to feel better. Designed and facilitated by colleagues from Kirklees Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service alongside a Recovery College volunteer with lived experience of depression, the workshop provides tips and techniques for lifting your mood and breaking the vicious cycle of depression.
Managing Depression – Online with IAPT
Peer Mentoring
Friday 13th January 2023, 10am-1pm
Kirklees Recovery & Wellbeing College hub – Mirfield
In this engaging 7-week face to face course, we’ll be exploring what mentoring is and building the skills to become a successful mentor, and to support others.
- Do you want to be able to support others as part of your job role and/or volunteering?
- Do you want to develop your communication skills?
- Do you want to know how to set goals and know when these have been achieved?
- Are you aged 19+?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, then this course is for you! Delivered by our partners at Kirklees Success Centre, it will provide you with the essential skills, knowledge and confidence to be an effective mentor.
Write Time for Wellbeing
Monday 16th January 2023, 10am – 12.30pm
Community Links (CLEAR) – Huddersfield
This course was so popular we felt we had no choice but to offer it again! During the course we’ll encourage you to use a type of mindfulness, using writing to provide you with the space and time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings in the here and now. This will help boost your mood, raise self-awareness and create feelings of calm and contentment. The activities you’ll learn will provide you with tools you can use to help you cope better with the stresses and challenges we face in life. This enlightening six-week course is kindly delivered by our partners at Kirklees Success Centre.
(Please note due to funding reasons this course is open to Kirklees residents only)
Couch to 5K
Tuesday 17th January, 10.30am – 12pm
Greenhead Park, Huddersfield
This course is designed for learners who may do little or no exercise. Over the course of nine weeks we will take you from couch potato to completing a five kilometre parkrun event. Using the NHS Couch to 5K Scheme you will gradually progress to develop both your fitness and running technique alongside other beginners. The qualified leaders will provide plenty of support and encouragement to help you along the way and no-one is ever left behind!
You can see a full list of our upcoming courses by clicking here:
If you are already enrolled with the College, then please get in touch via email or telephone to book on your chosen course or workshop. There is no need to enrol again.
Email: ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk
Telephone: 07717 867911
If you are new to the College please enrol here
Please remember to stay at home if you are unwell or have symptoms of covid!
We will be able to help you remain safe if you are worried about getting infected by covid when you attend.
Courses and other stuff from community organisations:
Night Safety Bus – Huddersfield
Are you, or your daughters, sisters, friends going out on the town anytime soon? This bus has been introduced specifically to support women, but it is open to anyone who may find themselves in a vulnerable position while enjoying a night out in Huddersfield. To learn more about this new service visit: Hop on the Night Safety Bus – Kirklees Together
Carers Count
Huddersfield Coffee and Chat groups for unpaid carers
1st Monday of every month, 6.30pm-8pm at Starbucks, Leeds Road Retail Park, Huddersfield, HD1 6PF
2nd Monday of every month, 10.30am-12pm, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP
4th Monday of every month, 1pm-2.30pm, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP
Join members of Carers Count team for support and advice, meet other unpaid carers, and enjoy coffee and a chat.
Call 0300 0120231
Wellness Service
Are you supporting a family member or friend with a long-term health condition?
Join our free Carers Wellness sessions
Monday 12th December 10:30am-12:00pm (Virtual)
Building resilience session includes:
> Exploring emotions
> Learning about acceptance
> Managing worry
> Recognising to be ‘kind to yourself’
Caring for someone with memory deterioration includes:
> Behaviours associated with memory problems
> Accepting the changes in the person you care for
> Understanding emotions of the person you care for
> Managing your emotions
> Simple tips and practical ways of coping
For further information or to book your place on a session please contact
Kirklees Wellness Service on 01484 234095
or book online at www.kirkleeswellnessservice.co.uk
IT Help and Support – Calderdale Libraries:
Central Library Halifax
Tuesdays 2-5pm & Thursdays 2-5pm
Customers can book up to three fifty-minute sessions with a volunteer, who will coach them in basic IT use. The content of sessions varies depending on the needs and level of the individual customer. Subjects offered include: basic IT (using a keyboard and mouse), setting up and using email, using tablets & smartphones, using MicroSoft Office, searching and navigating the Internet.
Sessions are free to attend but must be pre-booked with a member of Info Services staff:
Phone: 01422 392631
Email: Reference.Library@calderdale.gov.uk
Face to face: pop into the Local Studies section on the lower ground floor of the Central Library in Halifax and talk to a member of staff.
Elland Library Coffee and Itea
Thursday mornings, between 10.30am & 12 noon
The idea is that the customer drops in for a tea/ coffee and a chat with a member of staff, if they have any IT related queries. They can also book a 30-minute taster session with a member of staff, if they need help with mastering basic IT. These sessions are mainly for absolute beginners who just need a bit of extra help and encouragement with mastering basic IT. Sessions are delivered free of charge.
Upcoming courses from Richmond Fellowship:
These activities are open to everyone aged 18 or over who lives in Kirklees and experiences mental health issues, problems or concerns.
Basic IT, a 4 week course starting on 12th January, (in person, at the Media Centre, Huddersfield)
This course will cover the basic skills needed to begin exploring the online world with support from trained staff members. Richmond Fellowship will reimburse you for your bus fare up to £4.50 (day saver) and offer snacks and beverages.
Stress Management, a 2 week course starting 16th January, 1-3pm (online on Zoom)
This course will examine all aspects of how stress can affect us and how it has a negative impact on your mental wellbeing, looking at methods and new ways of thinking that can drastically reduce stress levels in our daily lives.
Confidence to Work, a 6 week course starting on 30th January, 1-3pm (online on Zoom)
This course explores all aspects of getting into employment after being out of work for any length of time due to poor mental or physical health.
Ways to Wellbeing, a 2 week course starting on 23rd February, 1-3pm (online on Zoom)
This course will cover all aspects of improving and maintaining mental health through practical means that people can use on a daily basis.
To find out more or to book, please contact Karl Jackson-Lander:
phone: 07909 993203 or email: Karl.Jackson-Lander@richmondfellowship.org.uk
Cycle for Health courses – places available in January!
These cycling courses are for adults who would like to improve their mental or physical health, take up a regular activity, and build their fitness and self-esteem.
This month, the following courses still have available spaces – but other dates may also be available, so please get in touch with Cycle for Health at cycleforhealth@cyclinguk.org for more details:
Start date and location
- Saturday 21 January (2pm – 4pm) Springs Hall Athletics Track, Halifax
- Thursday 26 January (1pm – 3pm) Slaithwaite Fire Station, Slaithwaite
Cost of Living information:
Find a Warm Welcome Space Today
Everyone should have a warm and welcoming Space to go to this winter, which is why our network of community organisations, churches, libraries, businesses and other faith groups across the UK have opened their doors to provide exactly that.
Find a Warm Welcome Space Today
Halifax Community Fridge – Warm Meals every Thursday!
131 Gibbet Street, Halifax
The Halifax Community Fridge provides free food for anyone in the local community who is in need, between 11am and 12.30pm every day.
From 10th November they will also be offering a warm meal for their neighbours in the community, every Thursday afternoon. The meals will be served 30 minutes before sunset every Thursday – can check out their Facebook page for exact times.
https://www.facebook.com/HalifaxCommunityFridge
Call: 07790 758618
The Bread and Butter Thing
The Bread-and-Butter Thing is a charity which is distributing surplus food from shops, supermarkets and farms to people who need it. They cover several areas of Kirklees including Rawthorpe, Dalton, Deighton, Batley and Chickenley, providing weekly food bags at a fraction of the cost of buying them from the supermarket. Click the link below for more information.
Take five to stop fraud
Take five is a national campaign offering straight-forward, impartial advice that helps prevent email, phone-based and online fraud
Protect yourself from scam and fraudsters by clicking this link:
For information, support and advice on how to beat the cost of living go to your local council pages here:
Money and Wellbeing in Calderdale | Calderdale Council
Cost of living | Kirklees Council
Join us on Facebook and Instagram here:
We hope you have a great weekend.
The Recovery & Wellbeing College Team
ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk
07717 867911
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