keeping connected - calderdale and kirklees recovery college
TRANSCRIPT
Dear Learner, Welcome to Keeping Connected and thanks to all who have contributed. It is great to have Anna start with us (see article overleaf). She is working as the Co-ordinator in Kirklees (Wednesday—Friday) alongside Rachel Dunn (who works Monday—Wednesday). I’m sure you will all join me in welcoming Anna and agree that it is great to have her onboard!
I love the article from Helen about Groundhog Day. It very much feels like that at the moment with all the talk about Corona Virus! Hopefully our groundhog days won’t last much longer, which leads me to some more good news. I’ve had my Covid 19 vaccination and, even better so have some of our facilitators! It felt good on so many levels. I felt privileged, proud and more hopeful that life will improve and we will beat this Covid misery. We all need to still follow the guidelines on how to keep ourselves and other’s safe but hang in there, things will get better! Stay safe, reach out and read on.
Matt Ellis, Principal 22 January 2021
Keeping Connected
With Calderdale & Kirklees Recovery
& Wellbeing College
We are always in need of articles for this publication and would love your contributions. Please get in
touch with us via email at [email protected] or write to us at Recovery College,
Pathways, Nettleton Road, Mirfield WF14 9AQ. Please note all content correct at time of writing.
Yup, Groundhog Day isn’t just the subject of a classic Bill Murray movie, it does actually exist! Originating in the town of Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania in the good old US of A, this day which is observed every year on 2 February derives from an old Germanic tale that each year a groundhog will poke its head up out of its den around this time.
If the groundhog sees it’s shadow (denoting that it’s a clear day out), the winter will carry on for six more weeks. However, if it sees a cloudy day, it means there’s an early spring on the way.
It is still celebrated across America and Canada, although the most significant celebration is still held in Punxsutawney. This unusual event became much more well-known after the release of the 1993 film of the same name (excellent movie if you haven’t seen it, definitely well worth a watch) where the same day is lived over and over again. Sound familiar?
That may be how many of us have felt throughout the lockdowns; not being able to get out and about to different places we love and see friends and family as we usually would.
Lets hope ‘Punxsutawney Phil’ (the name of the groundhog) doesn’t see his shadow this 2nd February and we get to enjoy an early spring, with the freedom to wander the world again in all its splendour, without the repetitive feeling of it being Groundhog Day!
By Helen.P
A to Z of Corona Virus by Molly, Volunteer
A is for asymptomatic – you don’t know you’ve got it, so please beware Keep yourself well, keep yourself safe, don’t make folk think you do not care. B is for baking bread and scones and cakes and buns, tasty and delicious food That fills our bellies, makes us smile and helps, a bit, to elevate our mood. C is for curve, a very big arc, a line to be flattened as straight as a die Which scientists work on for many a month to answer the question ‘Why?’………..
To read this fab piece in it's entirety click on this link: A to Z of Corona Virus | Calderdale and Kirklees Recovery College (calderdalekirkleesrc.nhs.uk)
Hello! My name is Anna
and I’ve recently joined the
Recovery College team as a
Co-ordinator for the Kirklees
College. I feel very lucky to
have this opportunity to
work with you all and to be
part of the College
community. I’ve been
reading through the website
and previous newsletters and I’m very excited about
being involved in the inspiring work that you’ve all been
doing. I’m aware I have a great deal to learn, so I’m
looking forward to getting to know you all and
benefitting from your skills, experience and wisdom. I’ve
already learned lots from everyone I’ve spoken to during
my short time here!
I come to the College with a varied work background in
the charity and public sectors. I’ve always held roles that
involve enabling and empowering people facing
challenges to meet their needs, whatever they may be.
Most recently I’ve been working in an NHS Improving
Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service
providing support for people experiencing difficulties
such as anxiety and depression. Before that I spent
several years working in bereavement support roles and
managing a victim support service, and in earlier jobs I’ve
done a variety of tasks including supporting grassroots
health and environment projects, campaigning for social
justice and administering community grants. I hope my
range of experience will provide helpful tools for
supporting the Recovery College and its learners.
On a personal note, I’m a local lass, born and bred in this
area; I love the beauty of our Pennine hills and valleys
and getting out for walks when I can. I’m a keen crafter,
and I enjoy making things, especially from fabric, yarn
and cord, so I’m a bit giddy about some of the crafting
courses I’ve seen on offer through the Recovery College!
When the College buildings re-open maybe we’ll get
chance to meet in person over a cuppa and a craft
project?! I’m looking forward to it! (I think I’ve found my
dream job…)!
Recovery College Recommends
Self-Help Addiction Recovery | UK Smart Recovery
To help individuals recover from ANY addictive behaviour and to help them lead
meaningful and satisfying lives.
Recovery College ‘Blended
Learning’ Courses
General Anxiety Workshop this one-off
workshop offers an insight into anxiety from the perspective of those who experience it and professionals who help people live with
anxiety. We will discuss some of the symptoms, explore the reasons why we feel anxious and ways to combat the feelings.
Starts: Thursday 18 February at 10.30am
Drawing For Wellbeing is suited to both beginners and those with more experience. It centres around the theme of reflections.
Starts: Mon 22 February at 1pm for 6 weeks
Being Different Together is a drama course focusing on helping you find your
voice and building self confidence in a fun and safe environment.
Starts: Mon 22 February at 11am for 6 weeks
To book a place or to find out more please
contact us or visit:
www.calderdalekirkleesrc.nhs.uk/courses/
WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS!
Please be on the alert for text messages
or emails about receiving your Covid
vaccine, lockdown fines or supposed
health related payments. These are all
scams currently doing the rounds
seemingly from the NHS, Government or
banking websites. If you are asked for
personal information of any kind—be
aware! Do not click on any links that you
are unsure about. Please seek advice if
you are at all uncertain.
Because it’s Okay
Okay : a misused word.
How often do I say
That I’m okay
When I’m not?
When we meet we ask this
Almost as a platitude,
Stock enquiry with a stock response.
How are you today?
I’m fine, I say
I ask it of you
And you nod too.
It’s a cover-up we wear
More artificial than those
We don in a pandemic,
And it holds something in
That needs to break out.
Because it’s okay not to be okay
It will be okay in the end
And I hold onto this, I harness
My strengths and say I won’t quit.
But when I can’t, it’s okay to admit
That strength does not always come
From inside me, but from without.
I draw it from the well of community,
And the perceptive touch of a friend
Reaching out to me, from me to you,
Sustaining like an umbilic cord
When ‘Okay‘ is just not the right word.
By Pam, Friend of the Recovery & Wellbeing College
and Words in Mind Volunteer
The Reluctant Recluse
I am a social being and in ‘normal’ life loved nothing more than meeting up with friends for a hike in the
country, catching up with family, going out for meals. My diary was full of events and commitments
from January to December. Someone once joked that I would go to the opening of a toilet lid, such
was my zest for social occasions!!
Then lockdown happened. I learnt how to use Zoom (along with millions of others) and adapted my life
as instructed, barely leaving the house. When restrictions were eased and I was invited to return
to my usual outdoor weekly exercise class, something I previously really enjoyed, I was
hesitant. I felt comfortable at home. Did I need to go? It would save time—and petrol if I did the
session virtually. However, with some persuasion I went and it was fab! It truly was wonderful to have
that face to face social interaction again.
Now in the midst of our third (and hopefully final) lockdown, I once again feel an unwillingness to engage with the outside world. Invitations to
virtual ‘nights out’ to catch up with loved ones seem daunting. Can I remember how to apply make up?
Do I have anything else to wear apart from my jogger bottoms? Do I have to put on a bra? Can I
even be bothered?
I do usually manage to coax myself to take part in such occasions and am always delighted that I have
done so after the event. But I do wonder where that old socialite has gone and whether she will
return? Have I changed beyond recognition or, as I suspect is she still there lurking, waiting for safety
with her diary at the ready?
By Rachel.D
Recovery College Contact:
07717 867911
https://www.facebook.com/
CnKRecoveryWellbeingCollege/
@RecColCalKirk
https://
www.calderdalekirkleesrc.nhs.uk/
Answers to the New Year Quiz
1. Rabbie Burns 2. Hogmanay 3. Tonga 4. Spring
5. Judaism 6. Times Square 7. Panama 8. Ireland
9. Big Ben (yes that’s the name of the bell not the
clock) 10. Ox
Kitchenalia Cryptic Quiz
All the answers below are items found in the
kitchen. Good luck!
1. Small ripple as the tide goes out
2. Unbottle it at Alton Towers
3. Fish Skin has these
4. Taken for an idiot
5. Large Monk out of his depth
6. Where the road splits in two
7. Sometimes referred to as an U.F.O
8. Throw a ball at the wicket
9. A river boat
10. Polly put it on, Sukie took it off
11. Flo Capp’s answer to Andy’s late nights
12. When Titanic hit the iceberg
13. The Best Man’s job at a wedding
14. Stirrer
15. These can be tectonic
Make a Difference
Did you know that typically,
renewable energy such as
wind, solar and hyrdo is the
cheapest form of energy for
us as consumers? Some
providers purchase their energy only from
renewable sources (or as much as possible) or
others may have specific tarrifs available for
customers, again purely from renewable
methods. Why not check with your energy
provider whether they offer this, or if not
consider switching to a greener provider? As
customers we have much more power (excuse
the pun) than you might imagine. Plus you
might save yourself some brass as well as
saving the planet!