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Hello <<First Name>>
Today we find ourselves at the winter solstice once again - the hours of darkness are at their peak but the light will soon return. It can be a good time to reflect and do things that feel restorative and nurturing, in preparation for upcoming celebrations and the dawn of longer and warmer days ahead.
Sending love for this festive period and a heartfelt thank you for being with us this year. In November we won a Community Spirit Award for our work in the community through the arts (more below), and we could not have done that without you!
My recommendations below are themed around looking after your mental health during the festive period, and our classes and workshops are open for booking if you fancy getting something in the diary for January.
January will also see a new beginning of our own with the first of our Sounding Board sessions. This is an opportunity to help shape what we do (and it includes free cake!) so do check it out.
Thank you again for your support this year. Here's to a bright and happy 2023 together.
With love, Sam x
P.S. I took the photos above at Halifax Minster's Christmas Tree Festival this year - a wonderful celebration of festive kindness and creativity. Huge congratulations to everyone involved in making it happen.
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Winners!
We are over the moon to have won a Community Spirit Award in the Arts & Culture category this year!
This award recognises our commitment to our community and our impact so far, particularly our Elland's Happiness Lab project, which engaged over 300 local people in creative exploration of happiness this year, reaching many underserved local people and fostering new connections. We were honoured to be joint winners in the category with the wonderful EdShift too!
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🌟 A huge THANK YOU to all our participants, volunteers, artists, board members, partners, funders and the Community Foundation for Calderdale who helped make this happen 🌟
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Move & connect in January
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January sees the beginning of our new children and young people's sessions, plus Rhythm & Brews returns and our adult classes continue...
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NEW: Stories in Motion
Introducing our new sessions for children and young people, in partnership with Elland Library - Stories in Motion! Accessible movement & storytelling workshops, suitable for all ages.
Thursdays, 3.45pm - 4.30pm at Elland Library
12th Jan to 9th Feb
Pay as You Feel
Spaces are limited - please book in advance.
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Rhythm & Brews
Uplifting and fun lunchtime movement sessions for adults of all ages. Explore accessible movement sequences and learn tips to keep you well at home too.
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Monthly on Fridays - first session 13th January
12pm - 1pm: workshop
1pm - 1.30pm: brews & snacks
Upper Hall, Southgate Church, Elland. HX5 0JL
Pay as You Feel
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Brews & Grooves
Fun and informal dance sessions for people over 55, followed by a brew.
Tuesdays, 10th Jan - 7th Feb
10am - 10.45am: dancing
10.45am - 11.30am: brews & snacks
Sykes Hall, Southgate Church, Elland. HX5 0JL
Pay as You Feel
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Dance for Wellbeing
An evening class for adults of all ages. Sessions involve mindful movement, short dance sequences, and time to stretch and relax. There's a brew after of course (and some very nice biscuits!).
Thursdays from 12th January
6pm - 7pm: dance, move & stretch
7pm - 7.30pm: relax with a brew
The Space @ Field Lane, Rastrick. HD6 3JT. Pay as You Feel
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Sounding Board opportunity
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If you're local to Elland, the lower valley, or the wider community of Calderdale please join us on Saturday 14th January, 10am at Project Colt to explore how you can help shape our work in your community.
Please let us know if you're coming along so we can make sure we have enough cake! Email Sam on sam@curiousmotion.org.uk.
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Take some time for you over the next few weeks - here's some ideas to encourage reflection, comfort, and restoration:
Questions in Motion - our blog for curious minds. Each month our lovely Isla explores a different question. Released on the last Friday of every month and perfect for a tea break.
Cosy Christmas scenes and sounds - there's lots of free, beautiful video and audio on YouTube to encourage relaxation now and at other times of the year. This one is especially cosy!
The wellbeing benefits of living seasonally - a great article from Happiful to help deepen our connection to the world around us. Happiful's website is full of other resources and ideas to support your wellbeing too. |
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With love, Sam and the team at Curious Motion x
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Thank you to local artist Alex Abel for creating this wonderful image for us!
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