Welcome to Keeping Connected and our weekly update!

With Easter approaching and the end of Ramadan, it’s the perfect time to embrace new beginnings! As part of celebrating our tenth year, we’re highlighting 10 activities each month to boost your wellbeing. This month, we’re focusing on 10 ways to move!  Being active for even 10 minutes a day can significantly improve your health and wellbeing. For more information, we recommend watching this short film.

You can read more in our monthly newsletter Keeping Connected  of how a simple piece of wood changed Jade’s life!

As always, we have a variety of courses available, including new craft courses at Project Colt in Elland. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Be sure to check out the community offers and activities below.

Lastly, we wish Ramadan Mubarak to those celebrating this weekend. Enjoy this special time with family and friends.

Keeping Connected April 2025

Cuppa and Connect – Next Thursday!

Thursday 3rd April at Fresh Futures (AKA Brian Jackson Centre Huddersfield) 4pm 6pm

We are planning events for all our learners in 2025 to connect in different venues across Calderdale and Kirklees.

This will be chance to chat with staff, volunteers  and other leaners and be part of celebrating 10 years of the Recovery and Wellbeing College. We want to have more conversations with you to help us shape the college. Some do book on and stay for a chat and a cuppa!

Cuppa & Connect – Brian Jackson Centre

Thank you for arriving on time!

Our learners are usually great at arriving on time for workshops and courses, and we’re very grateful because it helps things to flow smoothly and allows everyone to get the most out of the sessions. Being there at the start means you won’t miss out on important discussions, context or instructions for activities, helping you to get the most out of your learning experience and helping the whole group to stay on track. So please continue to do all you can to arrive on time (or even a little early) – it’s always appreciated! We understand that life can sometimes throw us off schedule though – things crop up, and there are those days when the best laid plans go out of the window. If you can’t avoid being late, please let us know on 07717 867911 or email ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk.

Thank you for your help and cooperation!

Get Involved in 10 Year Celebrations of the Recovery College through Fabric Art!

Join Us in Creating a Community Quilt for Our 10th Anniversary!

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we invite YOU to help us create a community quilt! This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to contribute to a shared piece of artwork that reflects our experiences and creativity as a community, while celebrating a decade of the College.

How You Can Participate:

• Create or Decorate a Fabric Square: Reflect the themes of “Celebrating the College and What It Means to You” and/or “Creativity for Wellbeing.” If you’re unsure how to get started, don’t worry—help is available!
• Attend a Fabric Craft Course: Join one of our fabric craft courses after Easter to create your square.
• Make Your Square at Home: You can also create your square at home and then send or bring it to us.

Once we have collected enough squares, we will sew them together to create a commemorative quilt that will be showcased as a lasting memento of your participation in this important milestone.

No Fabric Skills Needed:

You don’t need any fabric skills to get involved. Just use some scrap fabric, glue, or paint. As long as you follow the instructions and make your square the correct size, it can be included in the finished quilt.

Find out more and read the simple instructions for making your square here:

Get Involved in our 10 Year Celebrations through Fabric Art!

We can’t wait to see your squares and how they will all fit together as part of this creative, collaborative project! Thank you for your help!

Courses coming up soon…

 

My Story: How to build a CV

Howlands Centre, Dewsbury, School Street, Dewsbury, WF13 1LD – Monday 31 March 2025 12pm – 3.30pm 1 week

For many of us, the prospect of sitting down and writing a CV is one that sends chills down the spine.   So how do we make sure that our CV tells employers what they want to know in the most effective and quickest way?

My Story: how to build a CV

 

Creating Cartoon Characters

Howlands Centre, Dewsbury, School Street, Dewsbury, WF13 1LD – Monday 31st March 12.30-3.30 (1 week)

With the help and support of our fab Peer Workers, James & Laura, together we will discover how to create our own cartoon characters and how to bring them to life using a range of emotions and scenarios.  No previous experience is required, as long as you’re willing to have a go! Templates and prompts will be provided, if required, as well as a brew and biscuits!

Creating Cartoon Characters – Howlands

Paper Mosaics

Project Colt, Elland, Halifax, Bridgefield Mills, Elland Bridge, Elland, Halifax HX5 0SQ – Monday 14 April 2025 1.30pm – 3.30pm 3 weeks

“It’s back!? One of our most popular courses at Recovery & Wellbeing College, but with a twist.

Using a variety of papers and magazine clippings, we will design and create our own paper mosaics which, unlike ceramic mosaics, will be easy to transport and frame or display. There will be more colours and textures available to choose from, and you can even bring in an old magazine of your own to cut up and add to your mosaic.

With the guidance and support of our friendly facilitator, James we will get to grips with the art of mosaics and create a beautiful piece of art to take away for us to proudly display in our homes.

Please note there will be a break of one week for the school holiday.

No previous experience necessary, and open to anyone who has tried our other mosaics courses”

Paper Mosaics

Gel Printing and Book Binding

Project Colt, Elland, Halifax, Bridgefield Mills, Elland Bridge, Elland, Halifax HX5 0SQ – Wednesday 16 April 2025 1.30pm – 3.30pm 3 weeks

Join us for this fantastic three session workshop and discover the basic techniques of gel printing and book binding.

Alongside, our friendly Peer Project Worker, James, we will experiment with layered and mono printing methods using a gel plate to create our own unique prints.  Once we have a variety of prints, they will be used to make a small book using the Japanese book binding method.

You can use this as a notebook, for writing positive affirmations, or as inspiration for doodles! You can also just keep it as a “coffee table” style book that you flick through to remind you of your achievements.

No previous experience is necessary, and all materials are provided.

Gel Printing and Book Binding

How to build confidence & communicate effectively

Ravensleigh Resource Unit, Dewsbury, 28 Oxford Road, Dewsbury, WF13 4LL – Wednesday 23rd April 10am-12pm (5 weeks)

Do you find it hard to say no? Do you often go along with what others want or expect? Is it tough to get your voice heard in a respectful way? In this course, we look at the crucial role of communication in our lives, health, and relationships. We’ll break down and clarify terms like confidence, assertiveness, and self-esteem. By reflecting on our own experiences, we’ll explore various communication styles and identify what makes communication truly effective.

How to build confidence & communicate effectively – Ravensleigh

Full Recovery & Wellbeing College timetable

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)

 

Recovery & Wellbeing College – 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.

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 

 

Other Community Offers

Hoot Creative Arts

Bates Mill, Milford Street, HD1 3DX Huddersfield, United Kingdom

Welcome Taster Session | hoot | mental health and wellbeing

Wednesday 7 May  from 11:00-12:30 – Booking essential

Here for You 

We are: Here For You – every evening, all year round 6pm to Midnight. Free, safe and confidential support.

• Kirklees: 07741900395 
• Leeds: 07760173476
• Wakefield: 07776962815

 

Creative Writing Group- Cleckheaton Library

Cleckheaton Library, Whitcliffe Rd, Cleckheaton BD19 3DX – 18:00 – 19:00 fortnightly on a Monday

Come along and practise the art of writing whether you’re a beginner, have previous experience or looking to to hone you’re writing technique.

Email: cleckheaton.lic@kirklees.gov.uk

Telephone: 01484 414868

Proper Job- current sessions

Proper Job Theatre Co, 48a Byram Arcade, Huddersfield, HD1 1ND
Mobile: 07716 639494

Friday 28 March:

LAB Taster Session

(3 hours, 10am-1pm)

See the space, meet the team, and try out some activities before committing to a full course!

Friday 25^th April to Friday 9^th May

LAB Project

(Induction + 10 days, 10am to 4pm, Mon to Fri)

Our flagship course, running in Huddersfield since 1985, has supported thousands of people with building confidence, skills for employment and planning a positive future for themselves. Work with our 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 8^th May, 10am to 12noon)

Your organisation‘s opportunity to connect with a group of learners ready to progress. Whether you offer employment support and advice, volunteering opportunities, or activities in the community, we would love to hear from you! – Let me know if you’re interested in coming along!

Friday 9th to Friday 23rd May:

LAB Wellbeing ONLINE

(Induction + 10 days, 10am-2pm)

Work with tutors to develop practical and useful skills to cope with your mental health challenges, stress and overwhelm. Designed for individuals who can self-identify with mild to moderate mental ill-health.

ONLINE course requires internet access and tech which supports Zoom (smartphone, tablet, laptop)

Incentives:

Across all courses

Up to £5 per day reimbursed travel costs

PLUS

£5 voucher for each day of course completed including Tasters (Up to £50 for learners completing LAB Project)

Eligibility:

Must have the right to live and work in the UK (or have been a resident for a minimum of 6 months)

Be unemployed, low earning, seeking work, retired, off sick or economically inactive and be over the age of 19 (born on or before 31/08/2005)

Support to Find and Maintain Employment- REAL Support

Do you have a learning disability or autism and want to get back to work? Then REAL Support could be for you!

REAL Support is designed for people with a learning disability and/or autism, helping them secure paid employment, maintain their jobs, and progress in their careers. No formal diagnosis is needed, but you must provide evidence of similar support needs.

Referrals can be made by anyone – professionals, family members, or self-referrals are all welcome. Allocations are made within 24 to 48 hours.

For more information:

• Website: REAL employment | Kirklees Council
• Email: RealEmployment@kirklees.gov.uk
• Referral: Refer a person to the REAL Employment service – My Kirklees Account

 

Men Walking and Talking – Huddersfield

Every Monday – Harold Wilson statue, Huddersfield train station, 6.30 pm

Men Walking and Talking provide a safe space and an opportunity for men (18+) to meet up for a walk, talk about their mental health, and get things off their chest. The Huddersfield walk is just one of 34 locations in the UK, with more being added regularly.

The website is here, if you’d like some further information:  Men Walking and Talking – Huddersfield

There is also a Facebook page called Men Walking and Talking – Huddersfield You can contact organiser, Steve, here or through the website link above.

The group meets every Monday, setting off at 6.30pm from the Harold Wilson statue in front of Huddersfield train station, and we walk for roughly 1 hour. There are also occasional social meet ups, and some longer walks scheduled on specific weekends.

It’s totally free, you don’t need to sign up, and there is no expectation whatsoever. Just come along for a walk and a chat, and feel free to talk about anything you like, or even just listen and get some exercise.

 

Welland Walks – Curious Motion, Elland

First Thursday of each month, 10am

Welland Walks are gentle and accessible walks for wellbeing, taking place monthly in Elland. An opportunity to come together with others and enjoy the wonderful benefits to your mood, sleep, and immune system that nature can offer. Each walk involves a short creative activity to explore connections to the local landscape. The walks involve a route along the canal for around an hour, and start and finish at Project Colt on Elland Bridge. Children are welcome but remain the responsibility of their parent / carer at all times.

Led by fantastic Volunteer Walk Leader, Debbie, these are informal and restorative walks to help clear the mind and warm the body.

More details, contact and booking link at Welland Walks – Curious Motion

 

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

Follow us on our socials here:

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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