Your July Newsletter from Healthy Minds!
Dear Supporter,
This month's newsletter contains important news that many will find upsetting, but we at Healthy Minds remain resolved to supporting our communities as we have been for the past 13 years, and you will see from other news that lots of good things are still happening.
We are so grateful to have passionate, talented and kind people involved in our organisation keeping us hopeful and committed to the future.
We want to thank all of you for your support and kindness in these difficult times.
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Recovery & Support Service Update
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We have some important news to share with you about our long-standing Recovery & Support service.
Despite our best efforts over the past two years, we do not have funding to continue the service and this means it will have to close at the end of September. This news reflects the extremely difficult period that charities and voluntary sector organisations like ours are facing right now.
Please read our full public statement which explains our position and what we are doing to try to get through this challenging time. The whole Healthy Minds team is doing what it can to minimise the impact of this closure for people who will lose valuable support. We hope to be able to give a better idea of what the future holds in our next newsletter.
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Despite facing changes, we still have some events coming up to look forward to, including:
August Walks for Wellbeing (various dates/locations)
Family Picnic - Cornholme
Wednesday 10th August 10-1pm | Vale Baptist, Cornholme
Still Life Drawing for Wellbeing Workshop
Wednesday 17th August, 1-3pm | Pye Nest Allotment, Sowerby Bridge
Arts & Crafts For Wellbeing Group
Every 2nd & 4th Thursday each month, 12.30 - 2pm
Healthy Minds, 1 King Street, Halifax
Open Mic and Celebration of Recovery & Support
Sun 25 September, 1- 4pm | The Old Sorting Office, Todmorden
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Our Upper Valley worker Sam has put together some information for things to do and places to go during the summer holidays, download them here!
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Spotlight on Women & ADHD
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Women & ADHD Workshop
We had a fabulous turn-out for our Women & ADHD Workshop in June at Hebden Town Hall. 18 women explored different aspects of ADHD and how it can differently impact women and girls. In the light of the fact that 1 girl for every 4 boys is referred for diagnosis we saw how it can often be over-looked, dismissed or misdiagnosed.
We also looked at the difficulty in getting a diagnosis (for those who want one) in Calderdale and participants generously shared some of their experiences of not only living with ADHD but the ways in which they survive and thrive on a day-to-day basis.
Given that a 1/5th of the world’s population is Neurodivergent: Women and ADHD is an important issue for us all to get to grips with! Vive La Difference!
If you would like to know more check out:
S4Nd - A Neurodivergent Member-led Community-based Organisation
ADDitude - ADD & ADHD Symptom Tests, Signs, Treatment, Support (additudemag.com)
ADHD Foundation
Or if you are a woman living with ADHD (no diagnosis necessary); come along to our next Healthy Minds Women & ADHD peer support group on Thursday 18th August, 12.30-2.30 at Todfellows Hall.
Contact Deborah to book: deborah@healthymindscalderdale.co.uk
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Men's Mental Health Awareness Week
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"We organised 'Men's Mental Health Awareness Event' in the Park Ward. We were well-contended to see an audience of around 60 people to join us, including people from Andy's Man Club, Staying Well Calderdale and Halifax Opportunities Trust.
"People shared how difficult but important it is to talk about this topic, and Healthy Minds took a great step by talking openly and raising awareness around Men's Mental Health within Park Ward.
"Special thanks to Flavour Fest for funding this event for such a special cause!"
- Nimra, Community Health & Wellbeing Work
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Nikki and Kath Go Above and Beyond!
We watched in awe at Nikki and Kath’s achievement on Sunday afternoon at Todmorden Sports Centre. Backwards and forwards they went. 100 times up and down that pool. That’s at least 1½ miles. Imagine! All the effort and stamina for Healthy Minds.
Their fundraising challenge called The Big Swim was certainly that. After their tremendous achievement the spectators and Nikk and Kath tucked into a celebration cake, delicious fresh strawberries and yummy chocolates, curtesy of Nikki.
Funds raised are still coming in. They have their sponsorship forms still to complete and they have their own JustGiving page too.
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And We’re Off to a Good Start!
We can now announce we have our 12 runners and walkers for our virtual London Marathon team. Yay!
They are all taking up the challenge of walking or running 26.2 miles on Sunday 2nd October. What an amazing #TeamHealthyMinds we have.
The team are super keen and raring to go, already they are busy training. We will keep you up to date on their progress.
And we have more news.....
We are bringing back our grand Marathon Finish Line in Woolshops Halifax on the big day. All our runners and walkers are hoping to be there to enjoy the glory of our cheers as they pass through it. More information on our plans for the virtual London Marathon celebrations to follow.
Visit our online donation page and meet our amazing team.
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Healthy Minds at Happy Valley Pride
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Staff from Healthy Minds enjoyed celebrating pride on Saturday, connecting with other organisations and giving out wellbeing party bags to pride-goers.
We even had 'pin the tail on the unicorn'!
Some of our party-bag wellbeing messages included:
"Be the YOU you’ve always been, proudly."
"If you reduce yourself to black and white, you’ll never see the rainbow."
"There are so many different ways to be beautiful."
Happy pride everyone!
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Grants Available for Tackling Mental Health Inequalities
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Healthy Minds is working in collaboration with Rethink Mental Illness to tackle mental health inequalities in Calderdale and to shine a spotlight on the organisations which work with those who do not usually access services.
We are offering grants of up to £15,000 for a 12-month long project which should expand or improve mental health services which are available to parts of the community who do not currently access them.
To be eligible you need:
- To be a local VCSE organisation
- A business or charity registration and bank account
- Experience of working with the people or community you wish to support with this grant
If you are interested in applying, please get in touch with Kiah Hamilton-Adams at kiah@healthymindscalderdale.co.uk for a copy of the application form. Any questions you may have can also be directed to Kiah.
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Now more than ever we need volunteers to support our services.
We have a range of opportunities available to find the right volunteering fit for you. You will receive a full induction, training and support.
Please contact Cath with your interest: cath@healthymindscalderdale.co.uk or 01422 345154.
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School's Out for the Summer!
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What's on the summer with Time Out!
Time Out are offering a programme of free workshops for children and young people over the summer holidays including dance, drama, 3-D art, animation, creative writing and more.
There is also the opportunity for young people who want to develop their creative skills to gain a Bronze Arts Award qualification as part of an August summer school programme called Hive Minds. See poster for more information
See our full summer programme of activities here!
Healthy Holidays: Create your own video game
Tue 2nd Aug 1:00pm - 2:30pm | King Cross Library
Come and create your own game from drawings based on a series of templates at King Cross Library. Use the I-Pads to then play the game. Second session on Tue 9 August.
Healthy Holidays: Being Me
Wed 3rd Aug 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Akroyd Library
A fun and creative session using collage, drawing and blackout poetry to explore what it means to be you.
Healthy Holidays: Create a Video Game part 2 - Pixicade
Tue 9th Aug 1:00pm - 2:30pm | King Cross Library
Create an arcade game using Pixicade, tablets and loads of imagination. We will create characters, settings, enemies and actions and then play the game.
Comic Holidays
Wed 10th Aug 10:30am - 3:00pm | Halifax Central Library
What happens when you combine words, pictures and a big dose of imagination? Your very own comic strip, published online!
Healthy Holidays: Nonsense Recipes & Ridiculous Rhymes
Wed 10th Aug 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Akroyd Library
Create some peculiar recipes and cook up some tasty rhymes in this fun workshop of playing around with words.
Hive Minds - Bronze Arts Award Summer Programme
Friday 12th August, The Outback Community Kitchen and Garden, Halifax, 11am-3pm
Friday 19th & 26th August, Halifax Central Library 10am-tbc
Friday 2nd September, Exhibition of Work, 10am-tbc
Develop your creative skills and interests and gain an Arts Award Qualification with Time Out's summer school. You will journey into the fascinating world of bees, starting with a visit to the Outback Garden to meet their resident bees and start your own creative project bee-inspired project.
This will be followed by two further creative sessions at Halifax Central Library and culminate in an exhibition of your work at the library.
Curious Motion Dance & Games in the Park
Tue 16th Aug 10:00am - 3:00pm
Come along to the beautiful Manor Heath Park to enjoy different styles of dance in the morning, followed by a picnic lunch and fun and outdoor games in the afternoon.
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