Weekly Update
College News
March 5, 2026
Welcome to our new look weekly update!
📚 World Book Day – Monkey Martian
World Book Day is a reminder that reading does more than entertain — it supports our wellbeing, fuels creativity, and helps shape who we are. Stories give us space to imagine, reflect, and connect with parts of ourselves we don’t always have words for. Our Principal, Matt, shares his own journey with reading and imagination below.
Monkey Martian
My English teacher once told me I’d amount to nothing if I didn’t improve my English.
As a child, I struggled with reading and writing, and if you know me, you’ll know my spelling is auwful (see what I mean!). But over the years, I’ve improved, and the idea of writing a book has always stayed with me.
As a kid, my imagination ran wild. I loved Monkey Magic and Star Wars, and from that came my alter ego: Monkey Martian. In the story in my head, the Monkeys live on a planet on the far side of the sun, locked in a brutal war with the Apes. When the Apes discover space travel, they uncover a hidden world — Earth. Can the Monkeys stop them and save humanity? That’s where my adventure begins.
These days I’m an avid reader. If I don’t have a book on the go, something feels missing. I love historical fiction and sci‑fi, especially the Shardlake series and The Expanse.
For me, reading is a way of stepping into someone else’s mind and seeing the world through their imagination. There’s a saying that each of us has at least one good book inside us — I certainly know what mine is… so what would yours be?
📊 Why Reading Is Good for Your Wellbeing
(A few quick stats backed by research)
- Six minutes of reading can reduce stress by up to 68%, making it more calming than music or a walk. [newbookrec…dation.com]
- Three‑quarters of UK adults say reading boosts their mental health and wellbeing. [thereader.org.uk]
- Nearly 60% of young people say reading helps them relax, and almost half say it makes them feel happy. [literacytrust.org.uk]
- Regular readers report better sleep, focus, empathy and creativity. [wuth.nhs.uk]
- Older adults who read regularly have a 20% lower risk of premature mortality. [psychologytoday.com]
- Early reading for pleasure is linked to better mental health later in adolescence. [blogs.ed.ac.uk]
🌸 Celebrating International Women’s Day at the Recovery & Wellbeing College
Last chance to book !
There’s still places on our Finding Your Inner ‘S’hero course on Monday 9th March, and is a perfect way to honour the spirit of International Women’s Day. It offers time and space to reconnect with your strengths, build self-belief, and celebrate you!
International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and achievements of women across the world and within our own community. It’s also a chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate the women who inspire us every day.
Please note this session includes a shared lunchtime, drinks and nourishing snacks will be provided but please bring your own lunch.
Spaces on our other courses – book now to avoid disappointment:-
Click the links to find out more:
Woolbeing: Pom-Poms, Mandalas, & Tassels
Friday 20 March 2026 – 10am – 1pm – Mirfield Community Centre – 1 week- Come and join us—places available!
Boxercise Taster at ROKT
Wednesday 11 March 2026 – 1.30pm-2.30pm ROKT Climbing Gym, Brighouse – 1 week- Come and join us—places available!
Wednesday 18 March 2026 – 1.30pm-2.30pm ROKT Climbing Gym, Brighouse – 1 week- Come and join us—places available!
Managing OCD
Tuesday 14 April 2026 – 12.30pm – 2.30pm – Online
Threads of Renewal: Creative Stitching
Wednesday 15 April 2026 – 1.00pm-3.00pm – Project Colt, Elland, Halifax
Wednesday 10 June 2026 – 10.30am – 12.30pm – Mirfield Community Centre
For Project Colt venue: Please note, this venue is in a converted mill, the building is in the process of being improved so that it is more accessible. In the meantime, if you struggle to climb stairs please get in touch as soon as you can and we will endeavour to put adjustments in place.
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:
Email: ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk or call us on: 07717 867911 or you can use your learner portal.
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
Once enrolled, you can use the portal to easily request courses and view what you’ve attended.
Use the links below:
Community Offers
In the spot light this week:
Calderdale Healthy Minds – Our Experience: Lived and Living Project
The project will run from February to May 2026, working in partnership with Everybody Arts in Halifax.
Our Experience: Lived and Living invites members of the community to create art reflecting the theme of ‘lived experience’ of mental health issues and/or disability. Project participants will get chance to explore what the theme of ‘lived experience’ means to them, expanding their creative freedom and developing their artistic practice.
Participants will be supported to nurture artistic skills through artist development sessions and weekly studio access at Everybody Arts in Halifax, where they will be able to use art studio facilities including print making and ceramics. The project will finish with the opportunity to showcase artwork at the Everybody Arts gallery, as part of a wider creative health initiative for Calderdale. The final showcase will amplify the voices of people with lived experience of distress in order to challenge negative cultural attitudes to mental health.
Interested in taking part?
Please read the full project description here before applying via this online form.
Or get in touch with us to find out more: georgia@healthymindscalderdale.co.uk
Just click on the link below to view local offers and activities from a wide range of organisations and providers.
Local community information – Calderdale and Kirklees Recovery College
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
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