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Weekly Update

College News

July 9, 2026

Welcome to our weekly update.

As we continue to enjoy (or endure!) the recent hot weather, this week’s featured article explores a simple wellbeing tool that’s always available to us – our breath. Karen, one of our Peer Facilitators, shares her reflections on our Conscious Breathing course and how breathing techniques can help us find calm, manage stress and support our wellbeing. 🌞💙

We’ve released our Autumn programme for next half term, so if you’re thinking about what to try next, now’s a great time to plan ahead. Just click on the timetable icon to see what’s coming up.

Don’t forget our Cuppa and Connect end of year celebration on 14th July at MCC—a great chance to come together with learners, volunteers and staff to reflect, connect and celebrate. You’ll find full details below.

We’re also inviting learners to get involved in the Yorkshire Calico Dress Project, helping to create a collaborative textile artwork celebrating the people, places and stories of Yorkshire. Read on below to find out how you can get involved.

As always, you’ll also find local information, opportunities and updates from partner organisations in the links below.

Featured Article: Your breath has always got you!

Picture of Karen and Laura

This week, we’re sharing reflections from our Breath Deeper course, which explores how simple breathing techniques can support wellbeing. Co-facilitator Karen shares her personal experience of learning about diaphragmatic breathing, alongside feedback from learners who found the course calming, practical and empowering. Read on to discover how reconnecting with the breath can help us manage stress and find a greater sense of balance.

Conscious Breathing: A Simple Tool for Wellbeing

As a co-facilitator, I often find myself learning alongside the people who attend our courses. One topic that has had a real impact on my own wellbeing is conscious breathing.

Like many people, I had been introduced to breathing techniques before, but I often found them difficult to use effectively because I hadn’t learned the foundations of diaphragmatic breathing. Once I understood these basics, everything started to make much more sense.

My colleague Laura, who has taught me a great deal about breathing techniques, often reminds people that “your breath has always got you.” Through her study of yoga, she has come to appreciate how closely breathing is linked to our stress response. She often reflects on the fact that breathing techniques were never discussed when she was at school or during times when she needed mental health support. When we feel overwhelmed, our breathing tends to become quicker and shallower, preparing our bodies for a fight, flight or freeze response. Learning to slow and deepen our breathing can help calm this reaction and support our overall wellbeing.

It was wonderful to hear how learners benefited from the course too. One participant said, “I enjoyed it. I learned a lot about controlling breathing.” Others described the course as informative, calming and practical. One learner shared that they had learned a technique they could use to settle their nerves and find peace, while another said they left feeling “happy and content.”

For me, this course was a simple but powerful reminder that some of the most effective wellbeing tools are already within us. Sometimes, we just need the opportunity to learn how to use them.

The breath is something we all carry with us, every moment of every day. What could happen if you gave yourself permission to stop, notice it and use it as a source of support?

To continue your exploration, book a place on our Breathe Deeper Taster Session on Tuesday 8 September 2026, 6.00pm–8.00pm (online). Whether you’re completely new to conscious breathing or looking to deepen your practice, this relaxed and supportive session offers an opportunity to learn, connect and experience the benefits for yourself.

Stitch Your Story into the Yorkshire Calico Dress

The Recovery College is supporting the Yorkshire Calico Dress project, inspired by textile artist Kirstie Macleod’s internationally renowned Red Dress Project.

Communities across Calderdale and Kirklees are being invited to create stitched textile patches celebrating the people, places and stories that make Yorkshire unique. Together, these individual patches will become one beautiful collaborative dress, telling the story of the communities of Yorkshire through stitch.

We’re inviting our college community to get involved by making their own patch and handing it in so we can contribute together to this amazing project. Whether you’re an experienced embroiderer or have never picked up a needle before, everyone is welcome to contribute.

Click here to find out how to get involved: Stitch Your Story into the Yorkshire Calico Dress

Cuppa and Connect – End of Year Celebration – last chance to book on!

Date for your diary

Cuppa & Connect – End of year Celebration

Mirfield Community Centre, Water Royd Lane, Mirfield, WF14 9SG

Tuesday 10am-12pm 14th July 2026

Fancy a relaxed cuppa, some fresh fruit or a sweet treat, and a friendly chat?

Join us for our Cuppa & Connect learner engagement event — a warm and informal end‑of‑year celebration, marking another incredible year at the Recovery College.

It’s a chance to pause, connect, and celebrate everything we’ve achieved together. Drop in, meet the team, and hear about the latest developments, as well as what’s coming up next.

Matt, our College Principal, will be there — happy to chat, answer questions, and hear your thoughts on how we can keep improving the College experience.

It’s completely informal — just good conversation, friendly faces, and a range of refreshments (including fruit, drinks, and a few sweet options too).

Just book on to this in the same way as a course – email, text, phone or learner portal

Join us for Cuppa & Connect!

Spaces on courses – book now to avoid disappointment:-

Click the links to find out more:

Plot to Plate

Tuesday 18 August 2026 at 1.30pm-3.00pm
Tuesday 1 September 2026 at 1.30pm-3.00pm
Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 1.30pm-3.00pm
Tuesday 29 September 2026 at 1.30pm-3.00pm

All at: Outback Community Garden, Halifax, Lightowler Road, HX1 5NB