Keeping Connected and the Weekly Update

Welcome to the Weekly Update and September’s issue of our monthly newsletter, Keeping Connected. This edition features a heartfelt personal story from one of our learners, who tells us about a couple of her stand-out courses and how she feels the Recovery & Wellbeing College is a place for everyone – and we couldn’t agree more! Her journey reminds us that recovery looks different for each of us, and that’s exactly what makes our community so special.

We’re also pleased to include another article from Kirsty, our trainee clinical psychologist, who explores the power of self-compassion — why it matters, and how we can all learn to be a little kinder to ourselves.

If you’re looking for a boost of energy, don’t miss our Let’s Get Physical feature: Just Keep Moving. It explores the many benefits of regular movement, whatever the activity, and how even small steps can make a big difference to your wellbeing. There’s lots more inside too, so grab a cuppa, get comfy and enjoy this month’s newsletter.

Keeping Connected September 2025

10 years of Recovery & Wellbeing College

Come and celebrate with us in Mirfield on Wednesday 3rd September as we mark 10 incredible years — it wouldn’t be the same without you! Click the title above for more details.

Coping Strategies – Short Survey

New Create & Bloom app!

Download this ground-breaking new creative health app designed to make creativity accessible to all through a series of painting, drawing, movement and creative writing exercises. Explore the app by downloading on Apple or Google Play. You can read more about it here.

New Kirklees RC Courses – now live!

We’re excited to share that our Kirklees courses for November and December are now available to book – you can see all the details here or by clicking the timetable icon below. Courses in Calderdale will continue to be added over the coming weeks, so be sure to keep checking back to see what’s on offer.

Calling all colleagues…

If you support anyone who might benefit from the Recovery College, join our online Introduction to the Recovery College for Professionals to discover what makes us unique, how our courses change lives, and how to help others get involved — details below.

You can also explore our new course My Meds, My Life, co-produced by a Peer Worker and SWYFT pharmacy colleagues, to learn more about mental health medications.

And don’t forget — your wellbeing matters too. Professionals, supporters, and carers are welcome on all our courses, so feel free to book onto anything that interests you!

Exciting Courses Ahead – Book Now!

Our September and October courses are 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.

There are still plenty of courses with availability, including those highlighted below — take a look!

A Gift To Yourself
Tuesday 16 September – Project Colt – 10am – 12pm – 4 weeks.

Over four relaxing and creative weeks, you’ll be guided through making a variety of handmade items that are perfect for self-care or thoughtful gifts for loved ones.

Moving into Mindfulness Outdoors – Calderdale and Kirklees Recovery College
Tuesday 16 September – Greenhead Park – 9.45am – 11.15am – 5 weeks

Join Peer Worker, Laura and Recovery Coach, Erika for this five-week course where together we will explore the essence of mindfulness in nature.  We will discover different ways of practicing mindfulness within the beautiful setting of Greenhead Park in Huddersfield.

Monday 15 September – Dewsbury – 1pm – 3.30pm – 2 weeks

Mental health medication can be a lifeline — but it can also raise questions, concerns and side effects. Whether you’re currently taking medication, have done in the past, or are simply curious, this two-week course offers a welcoming and safe space to explore how medication fits into your life and recovery journey. With SWYT’s own Pharmacy Team, and Peer Worker, Laura.

A Plan for Living Well Information session

Tuesday 30 September  – Arcade Pop-Up Dewsbury – 2pm – 3.30pm
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.

Electronic Music

Tuesday 14 October – Project Colt Halifax – 10.00am – 12.00pm – 5 weeks

Over 5 weeks you will be supported to create your own electronic music track from start to finish! You will learn how to use a Digital Audio Workstation so that you can create a complete electronic music track using one piece of free software. This is a course designed for beginners, so you don’t have to have any experience of using digital audio workstations previously. You can create your very own unique piece of electronic music at the end of the course.

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.

Coming up soon…

Creative Minds Autumn Fun day for adults with learning disabilities

Thursday 18th September – 10.30am – 2pm (Please arrive for a check-in at 10.30am, pitch activities start at 11am)

The Zone, St Andrews Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6PT (Near Huddersfield Town football club stadium).

Whats on:

• Gentle standing or sitting yoga with the ever popular Umbrella Yoga
• Join the lovely NHS learning disabilities staff for some gentle fete games
• Dance with hoot creative arts
• There will be a stall with health and wellbeing information eg falls prevention, the benefits of physical activity, winter health, hospital passports, physical health checks.
• Photo booth
• Tabletop activities

Booking is essential as places are limited. Please email Alex alex.feather1@swyt.nhs.uk with the form below, or phone Alex on 07827 232698.

Note: the venue doesn’t have a changing place hoist toilet. There is a reasonably priced café but you may want to bring a packed lunch and fluids. Parking is free and plentiful, so minibuses/cars are welcome.

As some of the activities are physical and involve using equipment there’s a handy pre-exercise readiness questionnaire below if you need it.

LD funday booking form sept 2025 (DOCX, 15 KB)

LD Fun Day Physical Activity Readiness questionnaire (DOCX, 97 KB)

LD funday poster sept 2025 (PDF, 275 KB)

Proper Job – Lab Project

Friday 5th September to Friday 19th September

Proper Job’s flagship course, running in Huddersfield since 1998, has supported thousands of people with building confidence, skills for employment and planning a positive future for themselves. Work with tutors on communication and teamworking skills to help you take your next steps, and gain an accredited Level 1 Extended Award in Learning, Employability and Progression.
Progression Event: Thursday 18th September, 10am to 12noon
Lab Taster session: Friday 19th September, 10 am – 1 pm

Incentives:

Across all courses- up to £5 per day reimbursed travel costs
Plus:
£5 voucher for each day of course completed including Tasters

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).

Further information: email engagement@properjob.org.uk or mollie@properjob.org.uk
Phone: Office – 01484514687 or Mobile – 07716639494

Holmfirth Tech

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

Growing Works

Sprout at Oakwell Hall Country Park, Birstall

Join us for fun, nature-based activities for families with children aged 12 and under with SEND/SEMH, plus their siblings, who live in Kirklees or attend Kirklees schools. Sessions run every Wednesday and Friday, 6–29 August, 10am–2pm. Lunch included. Booking essential.

Sprout at Crow Nest Park Adventure Playground

Sprout is for families with children with SEND/SEMH (no diagnosis needed) age 12 and below alongside their families to socialise, enjoy the outdoors and have fun with their peers. It runs every Saturday 10am – 12pm at Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury.

Bud – Adult Volunteering at Wakefield Road Allotments, Dalton
Our regular Bud adult volunteer sessions run every Tuesday and Thursday 10am – 1pm, travel expenses available and soup at lunchtime. It’s harvest time at Wakefield Road Allotments, and everything is growing so quickly so lots of weeding too, always different tasks according to interests and ability, accessible site and shelters for rainy weather.

Dalton Community Gardens – Open Sessions
Everyone is welcome on Monday afternoons, 1–3pm, at the garden next to Rawthorpe and Dalton Library. Help care for this beautiful urban space and support local wildlife.

Young Shoots, outdoor courses for teenagers with SEND/SEMH to build skills, independence and confidence will be returning in September at Wakefield Road allotments, more details to follow on the website and Facebook soon.

Flyers for all activities can be found on the website Session Times and Information – Growing Works

 

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/

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