College News

January 4, 2024

Welcome to the first Weekly Update and Keeping Connected of 2024!  We hope you’ve had a great festive break and holiday and are feeling refreshed for whatever the new year has in store.

We are very much looking forward this year, as we grow our college in Calderdale and Kirklees. Our College is not made of bricks and mortar but on people and the hope that life can be better with or without illness, disability and/or disadvantages. We need you as much as you need us to spread the word about the work we do so we can support more people re-discover and recover a life of value and meaning again. If you want some inspiration please read some of our blogs here written by people that attend our college.

We are using more venues across Calderdale and Kirklees so you don’t have to travel so far to get to a course. We still have courses with spaces in January, and also upcoming in February, so do book on. See below for details.

Remember that Hope Street is now closed but we have courses running in venues across Calderdale

Have a look at our current timetable to find out more. Just click on the icon below:

Keeping Connected January 2024

College Courses on offer:

We understand that anxiety can be very distressing but you can move forward with a bit of support and understanding. Remember if you are struggling with anxiety and that is stopping you getting to a course, please do call us so we can look out for you and give you an extra warm welcome!

Weight Off Your Mind

Online

Monday 15th January 10.00am-12.00pm (1 week)

In this supportive workshop, Caroline from Kirklees Success Centre will help us understand why we may sometimes turn to binge eating, and eating for comfort, when facing challenging emotions.  Together, we will learn tools to help us gain control over this type of eating by changing our mindset and building motivation for positive change. The activities in this workshop are designed to help us gain control over what we eat, instead of the desire to eat controlling us!

Please bring a favourite drink or snack to the session for one of the activities – this can be anything, but preferably something you consider a treat.

Please note this session is not suitable for anyone currently experiencing anorexia or bulimia, nor anyone recovering from these issues.

Weight Off Your Mind – Kirklees residents

Online Introduction to the Recovery College – for Professionals

Online

Wednesday 17th January 10am-11am (1 weeks)

Are you a Social Prescriber?  Do you work in a health or social care setting?  Do you provide support to someone living with mental health issues? If so, this informal introductory session will provide you with useful information about the Recovery & Wellbeing College and how it can help the people you work with.  You will hear first hand, from some of our wonderful volunteers how attending the Recovery & Wellbeing College has positively impacted on their lives.  So join us and discover how to help others to live life well.

Online Introduction to the Recovery College

Confidence to Work

Kirklees Recovery College, Kirklees Recovery & Wellbeing College, Pathways, Nettleton Rd, Mirfield, WF14 9AQ

Tuesday 23rd January 1pm-3pm (6 weeks)

Whether you are new to the employment market, thinking of returning to work, looking for a different opportunity or considering volunteering, this helpful and constructive six-week course is designed to help build confidence and provide all the tools we need to help us into the workplace. Delivered by the ever lovely Karl at The Richmond Fellowship this course will provide tips for the application process, teach CV writing skills, interview preparation and how to disclose a mental health issue or disability.

Please note this course is only open to Kirklees residents.

Confidence to Work – RWC Kirklees

Brand new course at Everybody Arts (Artworks)

Lino Printing

Everybody Arts (formerly Artworks), Shaw Lodge Mills, Shaw Lane, Halifax, HX3 9ET

Wednesday 24th January 12pm-2.30pm (4 weeks)

This is great opportunity to come to our new Creative hub at Everybody Arts. Join us for this fun, four-week course where together we will explore multi-layered block printing.  Alongside, a couple of our wonderful friendly volunteers, you will have the opportunity to design and carve multiple printing blocks using lino, which can then be layered to create beautiful multi-coloured prints. With access to a variety of tools and materials, you will learn different techniques and methods in a relaxed and informal environment.

Lino Printing – Everybody Arts Calderdale

Weaving Workshop: God’s Eye

Everybody Arts (formerly Artworks), Shaw Lodge Mills, Shaw Lane, Halifax, HX3 9ET

Tuesday 23rd January 10am-12pm (1 week)

Join us for this wonderful creative workshop, where together we will learn simple weaving techniques using yarn to create a colourful, spiritual object called a ‘God’s Eye’ to decorate your home or garden. This craft originates from the Ojo de Dios (Spanish for Eye of God) and is a cultural symbol made by the Huichol Indians of Mexico. The four points are thought to represent earth, fire, air, and water, and the centre provided God’s watchful eye over their people. This one-off session delivered by Sara, our fab Creative Practitioner is a great introduction to weaving and an opportunity to meet other learners in a safe, friendly and informal setting.  All materials provided and no previous experience is necessary.

Weaving Workshop: God’s Eye

Gratitude Jar Workshop

Kirklees Recovery College, Kirklees Recovery & Wellbeing College, Pathways, Nettleton Rd, Mirfield, WF14 9AQ

Friday 26th January 10am-12pm

Come along and step into gratitude – both for those around you and as part of your own self-care. In this one-off workshop we will learn about the science of gratitude jars, how they can support our happiness, build positive relationships, and help us to appreciate all the good things in life.  We will each build a jar for someone special in our lives and start to create a jar for ourselves which we can use and build on throughout the year ahead.

Before attending this session, please think about who you want to gift the jar to and bring along any pictures, photos, or small mementos that you would like to include.  You can also bring a jar that is special to you, or alternatively we can provide one for you.

Please note that our Craft Room in Mirfield is based upstairs and there is no lift available.  Please let us know at the time of booking, if you have any access issues so we can make every attempt to meet your needs.

Gratitude Jar Workshop – Kirklees

Understanding Dementia

Kirklees Recovery College, Kirklees Recovery & Wellbeing College, Pathways, Nettleton Rd, Mirfield, WF14 9AQ

Are you concerned about your memory or that of a loved one?  Have you or someone you know been recently diagnosed with Dementia?  Do you work or volunteer with people who experience memory issues?  If you answered yes to any of these questions or if you would just like to find out more about Dementia then this is the course for you.  This one-off workshop delivered by Kirklees Dementia Hub will provide you with information about symptoms, the progression of Dementia, how to access support and be able to answer some of your questions relating to this diagnosis.

Please remember that if you are already enrolled with the College, there is no need to enrol again.  Just get in touch via your learner portal, email or telephone to book on your chosen course or workshop.

Understanding Dementia

The M Word: Menopause Awareness

Kirklees Recovery College, Kirklees Recovery & Wellbeing College, Pathways, Nettleton Rd, Mirfield, WF14 9AQ

Tuesday 6 February 2024 10.30am – 12pm

This learning seminar will help you develop your knowledge and awareness of the menopause; the symptoms, how it may affect you and, most importantly what you can do to manage it.  During this one-off workshop, delivered by a qualified Health & Wellbeing Practitioner and in partnership with Henpicked, we will discuss the perimenopause, post menopause and everything in between to help you on your own unique journey during this stage of life.  Information will also be shared about how and where you can access support.  This session is open to people of all genders to enable better understanding of the menopause and how to support those going through it.

This course is available to learners from Calderdale and Kirklees

The M Word: Menopause Awareness

Email: ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk or Telephone: 07717 867911

If you are new to the College please enrol here

Covid rates are high. Please don’t spread your germs if you have any symptoms remember to stay at home! Thanks

Other Community Offers:

For more info: Winter Warmth Sessions: Free Access to Creative Activity for All — Everybody Arts

Free course: Steps to Success online

Our partners at Kirklees Success Centres are running the popular Steps to Success course online from Thursday 18^th January, 10am – 12pm.

This course can help you to:

• Boost your confidence and self-esteem
• Set personal goal and overcome barriers
• Learn about how your mind works
• Find out who or what influences you, and whether these are preventing you from moving forward in life

To find out more or to enrol call: 01484 234153 or email: success.centres@kirklees.gov.uk

Proper Job’s LAB Projects:

Join us at LAB (Learn Achieve Believe) to develop your confidence in a supportive and creative environment. We work with unemployed adults aged 19+ across Kirklees, Calderdale and Manchester on a variety of projects designed to improve your confidence, wellbeing, and skills for employment. All courses are FREE to attend, with the added bonus of up to £5 per day reimbursed travel costs, plus a £5 voucher for each course day completed.

Course dates 2024

• LAB Project (Employability) – spend 2-weeks with our tutors exploring your skillset, developing your confidence and practicing presentation/facilitation in a warm, nurturing environment. Plus the opportunity to network at your Progression Event. (Lvl 1 qualification in Progression available)
• LAB Wellbeing – spend 1-week with our tutors exploring your wellbeing and practical strategies to cope with mild to moderate mental-health struggles.
• LAB Volunteering – spend 1-week with our tutors exploring what it takes to contribute successfully as a volunteer in any organisation. Plus the opportunity to network at your Progression Event.
• LAB Life – spend 4-5 days with our tutors exploring practical numeracy skills, supporting you with the costs of living, managing a budget and household bills.

For more info for residents in Kirklees & Calderdale contact:

engagement@properjob.org.uk

07716 639 494 / 07596 953 743

Warm Spaces Calderdale – We want to hear your views

Leeds Beckett University and Calderdale Council are working together to find out what worked well (or what could work better) with warm spaces across the Calderdale area. To do this, we want to hear your views as a member of the public in Calderdale who might have experiences or views about warm spaces.

• Who used or did not use a warm space
• What would encourage or stop someone using them
• Who might use a warm space in the future

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

Calderdale Cost Of Living Newsletter

We lots of helpful information of local organisations to support you with the Cost of Living:

Calderdale Cost of Living Newsletter November/December 

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We hope you have a great weekend

The Recovery & Wellbeing College Team

ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk

 07717 867911