Welcome to the Weekly Update!

Did you know that engaging in creative activities can significantly boost your mental health? As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re embracing the number 10 to explore ways to stay well and be well! Each month, we’ll focus on a different theme, and this month, it’s all about being creative! We’ll be sharing 10 ideas that you can try out for yourself on our social media.

Being creative is actually good for your health! A parliamentary report on creativity and health, “Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing,” highlights the significant positive impact of the arts on health and wellbeing. It provides evidence that engaging in creative activities can improve mental health, reduce stress, and enhance overall quality of life. Our College certainly believes this too. So, whether you count yourself as a creative or not, why not make this next month a creative one?

Read on for courses on offer with spaces and the usual community offers and information.

Cuppa and Connect – Save the date!

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!

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!

Coming up soon..

..see our work based courses at the Howlands Centre in Dewsbury, below.

How can I work alongside my benefits?

Howlands Centre, Dewsbury, School Street, Dewsbury, WF13 1LD – Monday 24 March 2025 1pm – 3.30pm 1 week

Thinking about stepping into a new job role can be an intimidating process. For anyone currently claiming benefits, making an informed decision means untangling a complex web of job-related benefits, disability living allowances and permitted work agreements.

This one-off workshop will offer an overview of how various DWP benefits are affected by earnings from work and will also provide a demonstration of how to use handy online tools to check personal finances.

How can I work alongside my benefits?

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

Also coming up soon…

Self Esteem and Resilience

(Last few places remaining!)

Media Centre, Huddersfield, 7 Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1RL – Tuesday 18 March 2025 1pm – 3pm 2 weeks

Delivered by the ever lovely, Karl at ‘Waythrough’ this two week course will help you discover how to improve feelings of self worth and to build self esteem.  Together we will look at practical ways to maintain and increase our resilience against the stressors and strains of daily life and learn how to weather those storms!

Please be aware that due to Waythrough’s funding, priority will be given to learners living in Kirklees. 

Self Esteem and Resilience

Anxiety & Stress Relief: Mind Body Connections

Project Colt, Elland, Halifax, Bridgefield Mills, Elland Bridge, Elland, Halifax HX5 0SQ – Monday 24 March 2025 1.30pm – 3.30pm 1 week

Holmfirth Tech, 140 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, HD9 3AR – Wednesday 21 May 2025 6pm – 7.30pm 1 week

Come along and join us for this fascinating one-off workshop where we will learn about the mind and body connection.  During this interactive session, together we will discuss how difficult emotions, such as anxiety and chronic stress, can affect us and what we can do to help manage them.  Based on the most up-to-date neuroscientific studies, we will discover stress relieving techniques and ways to enable us to change our mindset in order to build resilience.

Due to the popularity of this course and to ensure we are being fair to everyone, this course is not available to learners who have undertaken this course previously.

Anxiety & Stress Relief: Mind Body Connections

Creating Cartoon Characters

Howlands Centre, Dewsbury, School Street, Dewsbury, WF13 1LD – Monday 31dt 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

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

These courses are starting soon, so book now! There are many more options available—check out the full details and find out more by clicking here:

Full course and workshop timetable

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!

 

 

Recovery & Wellbeing College courses

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 

 Change NHS: Help build a health service fit for the future

The NHS has been there for us for over 76 years. But to make sure it’s here for the next 76 years, doing all it can to support the health of everyone, we need your help.

Change NHS  has been launched to hear your views, experiences, and ideas which will shape a new 10 Year Health Plan for England. This will run until spring 2025. If you have benefited from the Recovery College, so it might be an idea to give us a mention!

Thank you to everyone who has got involved so far. If you’re new to Change NHS, you can still take part in all the activities so far to have your say.

Make sure to register to keep up to date with what’s happening next.

You can read more about Change NHS at https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/ 

Other Community Offers

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 for Wellbeing

Huddersfield

Tue 18. Mar 2025 at 14:00 – 16:00
Tue 25. Mar 2025 at 14:00 – 16:00

Writing is a great way for us to express our thoughts and feelings, and relieve tension or stress. No writing experience is needed to join this free weekly group activity, just a pen and some paper. How to get started If you’re interested in joining then please complete the form on hoot’s website. This will be sent securely to the team at hoot who will be in touch to help you get started.

This group is free for people who are:

+ Aged 18 or over + Living in Kirklees

+ Wanting to look after their well-being and mental health (you don’t need a diagnosis to sign up)

Need help? Not sure if this is the right thing for you? Our friendly team can tell you more about the activities and the sign up process. Give us a bell or send an email to talk to us. Telephone: 01484 516 224  E-mail: info@hootcreativearts.co.uk

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

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

 

CLEAR event – celebrating 10 incredible years

Brian Jackson House HD1 5JP, Wednesday 26th March, 11am – 4 pm

A heartfelt journey through the past decade—from CLEAR’s beginnings to where they are now. Stories, images, film, and live performances, will bring the journey to life.
If you know anyone who has used the CLEAR service over the years and might want to join the celebration, please feel free to invite them to the event. CLEAR would also love to hear your memories, thoughts, or reflections. Whether you want to share your experiences or simply enjoy the day, it will be a special occasion filled with nostalgia, connection, and inspiration for the future. Mark your calendar and save the date!

 

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