Welcome to the weekly update. We hope you had a good Easter break whatever you were doing!

We have been busy working with our partners to offer you some amazing new courses! There is also some information about Kirklees Year of Music with free workshops and events you can attend for free-  so please read on to find out more and share with friends and family!

For those of you that are crafty or inspiring to be take a look at our free Kirklees based Mission to Mend range of courses here!

Hand Sewing for Beginners

Brilliant Buttons

Creative Patches

We have new courses for you in Calderdale for mind, body and soul! 

Quiet The Mind: The Practice of Meditation

Wellbeing Toolkit

YOGALATES

We would love to see you – so please don’t delay and book on!

 

In case you missed it please read our spiritual Keeping Connected themed newsletter. Just click the blue button below:

Keeping Connected April 2023

 

New College Database

We have upgraded to a new version of our database over the Easter holidays.

This is the software that we use to book you onto courses, send text and email reminders, record attendance and collect data that helps us to make improvements.

Hopefully you will not notice any difference but there maybe the odd glitch here and there!

Please let us know if you receive any emails or texts that are unusual or not quite right! This will help us sort out any bugs in the system!

 

UK Alert test

On Sunday 23 April there will be a national UK emergency alert test

This new emergency alert system is being rolled out by the government and will notify all phones with an alert sound – including when they are on silent.

Victims and survivors who have a secret phone that they may hide from an abusive partner must be informed to take action to prevent the phone from activating.

Refuge have kindly provided a video to inform victims and survivors how to ensure their secret phone (iPhone and Android devices) does not play the notifying sound and become detected.

 

 

Recovery & Wellbeing College Courses

 

Steps to Success

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

Tuesday 9th May 10am-12.30pm (8 weeks)

Please note there is a pre-course session on 25th April!

This ever-popular and inspiring eight-week course delivered by Kirklees Success Centre introduces us to different strategies we can use to help develop our self-esteem, motivation and plans for the future.  It also looks at ways that we can make changes to our lives, if we so wish, either now or in the weeks, months or years ahead.  This course will help build confidence and teach us how to set realistic goals and empower us to take control of our futures in a positive and enlightening way.

The course includes an introductory pre-course session on Tuesday 25^th April, 10.30-11.30am. This allows you to meet friendly facilitator, Caroline, and other learners who’ll be on the course, as well as complete the Kirklees Success Centre enrolment form before the course begins.

Please note there is a 2 week break during the course (no sessions on 30^th May or 6^th June), meaning the last session will be on 11^th July.

Please be aware that due to funding from Kirklees Success Centre priority will be given to learners living in Kirklees. 

Steps to Success – Face-to-face

Quiet The Mind: The Practice of Meditation

Hope Street Resource Centre, Hope Street Halifax HX1 5DW

Tuesday 2nd May 1.30-3.00pm (4 weeks)

Are you always on the go; continually having somewhere to be and something to do?  Do you struggle to switch off and give your brain a well deserved break?  If so, this is the course for you!  Through four friendly and informative weekly sessions, we will learn some of the history and facts about meditation, the benefits of meditation, and how this practice can help us live in the present moment and experience comfort and stillness.  We will be learning how to meditate using a variety of techniques, and as a group we will discuss “The Power of Now”.

Quiet The Mind: The Practice of Meditation

Wellbeing Toolkit

Hope Street Resource Centre, Hope Street Halifax HX1 5DW

Tuesday 2nd May 10.00am-12.00pm (6 weeks)

This 6-week course is designed to help you recognise the importance of practicing self-care, finding balance in your life and discovering your own personal wellness tools to help you live life well.  During the course we will look at positive and negative thoughts and their impact.  We will discuss simple tools and strategies to help you deal with the highs and lows of life. Throughout the course you will develop a personal wellbeing toolkit, by the end of the course you will be armed with your own unique wellness activities and tools.

Wellbeing Toolkit – Calderdale – Face-to-face

Mission to Mend: Hand Sewing for Beginners

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

Tuesday 2nd May 10.00am-12.00pm (1 week)

Learning simple techniques for textile repair is beneficial for both us and the planet.  It reduces textile waste, saves money and can improve our sense of wellbeing by developing hand skills and everyday creativity.  So come along and join us for this fab workshop, which is part of our upcycling fashion series.  During the session you will learn the basics of hand sewing, with two stitches that will be most useful for seam repairs and patching holes. All fabric and sewing materials are provided.

Learners who take part in this workshop will be able to attend the Mission to Mend Community Roadshow with friends and family to showcase their work, should they wish.  This is being held at the Recovery & Wellbeing College in Mirfield on Friday 16 June from 12.30 – 4.30pm.

Mission to Mend: Hand Sewing for Beginners – Face-to-face

Expressive Writing

Online

Thursday 4th May 2023 11am-12.30pm (4 weeks)

Expressive writing is about self-expression. It helps us to think about our experiences and put our thoughts and feelings into words. In this welcoming course, we’ll take time to reflect and write in a safe, friendly and confidential atmosphere that fosters personal awareness and wellbeing.

It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re used to writing, the exercises and conversation will help you to write about your life and experiences; from a few lines to a story, from a list to a poem, from all the things you’ve missed over the past couple of years, to all the things you’ve gained. There’s no requirement to share what you write unless you choose to.

These friendly, online sessions will be facilitated by a professional writer and a College peer supporter. Each week we’ll consider a short piece of published writing and talk together about the impact the words have on us. Writing prompts and exercises will be offered, encouraging us to write about our own experiences, thoughts and feelings.

Delivered via our partner, the Royal Literary Fund.

Expressive Writing – Online

Self-Care for Carers

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

Wednesday 10th May 1-3pm  (4 weeks)

Delivered by our partners at Carers Count, this useful and informative four-week course will help you, as a carer to reflect on your role, discover your rights and where you can get support.  Together we will discuss, what self-care is and learn some helpful self-care practices and how we can incorporate these into our busy lives.  Over the weeks, you will have the opportunity to share your own experiences in this friendly and informal setting, with other carers and gain support from each other as well as learning how to improve and maintain a sense of wellbeing.

While this course is planned to be delivered face to face at the Recovery & Wellbeing College in Mirfield, we can offer this online instead should this option be preferred.  Please let us know your preference at the time of booking.

Self-Care for Carers – Face-to-face

 

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 or 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:

 

Kirklees Year of Music

In partnership with Creative Minds there are several projects and workshops available over the next few weeks and months, here are just a small selection:-

Good Mornin’ Blues – six workshops on  Wednesdays 1pm starting 19th April  with Support 2 Recovery in Huddersfield to help you find your blues singing voice.  Email: Contact@s2r.org.uk for details.

Mission Musicians – six workshop on Tuesdays 1pm starting 18th April a project at The Mission in Huddersfield, for anyone who wants to access music to improve their self-esteem and wellbeing.  Email: Samuel.moss@Huddersfieldmission.org.uk for details.

Song Geet – 9th May 5-6pm a new South Asian Women’s Choir for those who may not ordinarily have access to singing and performing opportunities.  This will be held at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield.  Email: Becky@thelbt.org.uk for details.

Cross Cultural Music – this project is for adults who want to explore writing, playing and ultimately performing unique music, whether beginner or experienced musician.  This is available through the Arts for Health CIC in Holmfirth.  For details call: Gary Collins on 07902 228259

 

Woven in Kirklees

In conjunction with the Woven in Kirklees Project, the Recovery & Wellbeing College are offering four Mission 2 Mend workshops.   Learning simple techniques for textile repair is beneficial for both us and the planet.  It reduces textile waste, saves money and can improve our sense of wellbeing by developing hand skills and everyday creativity.  So come along and join us for one or more of these fab workshops, which are part of our upcycling fashion series.

Woven in Kirklees are also offering Natural Dye workshops, however you will need to book on these directly should you wish to attend.  These are taking place on:

Tuesday  6pm 18 April in Shepley and tickets are available through Eventbrite: Beyond the Basics of Natural Dyeing (Kirkburton) | Eventbrite

Or there are other dates in Dewsbury: Community Growing Colour Together Project (Crow Nest Park Dewsbury) Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

 

Upcoming courses from Richmond Fellowship:

These courses are open to everyone aged 18 or over who lives in Kirklees and experiences mental health issues, problems or concerns.

ASSERTIVENESS AND COMMUNICATION

20th April 1-3pm (2 weeks)

Online zoom workshop

This workshop twill explore all aspects of improving Assertiveness skills, maintaining them and developing better communication skills.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

4th May  1-3pm (2 weeks)

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.

MOOD AND FOOD

18th  May 1-3pm (2 weeks)

will show how food can affect our mental wellbeing in a positive and negative way and general tips on what to eat to improve your mental health.

FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD BUDGETING

29th May 1-3pm (2 weeks)

will offer practical advice and tips on  how to make large savings on your food shop and how to make sure that  your household bills don’t cost a fortune .

 

To find out more or to book, please contact Karl Jackson-Lander:

phone: 07909 993203  or email: Karl.Jackson-Lander@richmondfellowship.org.uk

Home – Kirklees Employment Service

 

Cost of Living information:

Mental Health and Money Toolkit

Worrying about money can be very stressful! It can take over our thoughts and impact negatively our mental wellbeing and can even cause feelings of embarrassment, guilt and shame. Managing your finances can be all the more difficult when you feel like this and it is easy to avoid, rather than deal with the problem. There are things you can do, and we would like to help where we can. That is why we would recommend you use the Mental Health and Money Toolkit.
This was designed by people who have mental health and money problems as well as by professionals. We can print a hard copy and send it for free to your home address. Just email or call us or find it electronically here.
Remember you are not alone!

Breathing Space

Breathing Space (aka the Debt Respite Scheme) is a free government scheme to help out those in debt. It stops creditors from adding costs or taking enforcement action for 60 days; enough breathing space to get debt advice and set up a debt solution. There’s also a scheme designed specifically for people receiving mental health crisis treatment.

what-is-breathing-space-and-how-can-it-help-me

 

Together We Can

For tips advice and information on health and cost of living services click this one link:

Home – NHS – Together We Can

 

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.

Bread and Butter Thing

 

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:

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Have a great weekend and enjoy the warmer weather!

The Recovery & Wellbeing College Team

ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk

 07717 867911