4930 positive minds a5 course brochure v4 - mhfemhfe.org.uk/sites/default/files/positive minds a5...

October - December 2016

Course Booklet

4930 Positive Minds A5 Course Brochure v4.indd 2 25/10/2016 16:01

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council realise what an important part social inclusion can play in improving mental health and wellbeing. As one in four people will have a mental health issue at some point in their life, it is likely that an extended family member will be affected.

Positive Minds is a programme of learning for wellbeing, and can

help build skills, confidence and promote self-help. The courses will give the opportunity to learn new skills, engage with people and the natural environment that are all proven to be positive influences for people experiencing depression and anxiety.

Please explore the options in this booklet and begin to enjoy life, its opportunities and experiences again.

Positive Minds | Learn for Wellbeing2

Cllr Brian Taylor

Foreword

Assistant Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care

Mental Health Champion


About our courses for improved mental health and wellbeingThese courses are running as part of a Mental Health project aimed at helping people who are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression or who feel low. We can offer a free 15 hour course from a range of subjects. Courses take place in community venues for adults and provide the opportunity to identify and practice ways to cope and feel better.

Our tutors have been chosen carefully due to their understanding and experience of Mental Health. They are all experienced and qualified in their subject. They will support you to learn in a fun and relaxed manner.

We offer 1:1 meetings with a learning advisor

Qualified tutors with empathy and experience in mental health

Friendly, welcoming venues

Support to build your confidence, learn something new, make friends and have some “time out”

Worried about attending?Attending a course for the first time can be difficult. Our tutors want to make you feel welcome.

If you are worried about walking through the door for the first time, please tell us and we will make sure that someone is there to meet you outside.

Booking onTo make sure the course is right for you we like to meet you first. You can contact us on 01254 507720 and let us know which course you are interested in and we will arrange an appointment for you.

(01254) 507720 [email protected] www.bwdlearning.org/positive-minds Positive Minds BD 3


What will happen when I ring up?When you call we will take some information about you and the course you would like to do. We will then arrange an appointment to meet one of our learning advisors. You will discuss with them what courses are appropriate for you, what you hope to gain from any course you undertake and any concerns you might have.

Is there an assessment?No; however as this course is part of a national research project we will ask you to complete a Mood and Wellbeing Questionnaire when we first meet you and at regular intervals throughout the course.

What happens if Positive Minds isn’t right for me?Your Learning Advisor will help you find another course that is more suitable and discuss any other support that may help you in a confidential manner.

What is the research?The Department for Education is funding the research project to try to find out if Community Learning courses can help people with mild to moderate mental health problems self-manage their symptoms.

What will happen after the course?Throughout the course your Learning Advisor will support you to think about your next steps. We also offer regular top up/refresher sessions to all our learners after courses finish.

**Positive Minds is funded as part of DfE research project, eligibility criteria apply

Frequently asked questions

4 Positive Minds | Learn for Wellbeing


Course: Gentle Exercises and Relaxation to Lift Your Mood

Venue: Bank Top Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Arthur Way, Blackburn, BB2 1QP

Starts: Thursday 10th November

Ends: Thursday 8th December

Time: 10am to 12.30pm

Tutor: Henry Ramsey

Course details This short course introduces a mixed collection of Yoga type exercises for mind and body that can help reduce stress and symptoms of low mood. Our experienced tutor will adapt the sessions to suit everyone and guide you through a range of techniques which you can easily use to help control your mood at own home or when you are out and about.

Each session will provide the opportunity to share ideas, strategies and experiences, check on progress and receive support from our tutor.

Course: Cook, Eat and Unwind on a Budget


Starts: Wednesday 9th November

Ends: Wednesday 7th December

Time: 30pm to 5pm

Tutors: Gilly Kelly / Kulsum Chishti

Course details It can be hard to prepare balanced meals when we

feel anxious or stressed. It can quickly become overwhelming and hard to feel motivated. On this course we will help you fi nd ways to cope better and feel less stressed.

During the course you will also learn practical ways to prepare delicious healthy food for less than £2 per person and some great shortcuts and tips to

make cooking a fun, relaxing and social activity.

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5 (01254) 507720 [email protected] www.bwdlearning.org/positive-minds Positive Minds BD


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Course: Relaxation Through Creative Art

Venue: Darwen Resource Centre, Edward Street, Darwen, BB3 1AY

Starts: Thursday 10th November

Ends: Thursday 8th December


Tutor: Gilly Kelly

Course details Sometimes it can be diffi cult to stay focused on an

activity when we are anxious, stressed or feel low. On this short course we will help you to look at some of the causes of these feelings. We will then talk about ways to help us cope better, share and explore a range of strategies to help us improve our ability to relax including exploring how different

creative arts can help us to unwind and feel better in a friendly and sociable group setting.

Course: Write for Me

Venue: Central Library Town Hall Street, Blackburn. BB2 1AG

Starts: Tuesday 15th November

Ends: Tuesday 13th December

Time: 10.15am to 12.45pm

Tutors: Jo Corbett

Course details Perhaps you have lots of thoughts and feelings buzzing around in your head, but you have never thought that writing about them might help. Or maybe you are someone who has already had experience of the therapeutic benefi t of writing. During this informal creative writing course we will explore different ways of expressing our thoughts and feelings through writing (spelling and grammar not important-support is available). It doesn’t matter if you are a complete beginner - We will learn together in a friendly and supportive way as we practise using different writing formats to help us cope with feelings, such as lack of motivation, anxiety and depression.


Course: Find your Focus with Digital Photography

Venue: Audley Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Pringle Street, Blackburn BB1 1SF

Starts: Wednesday 23rd November

Ends: Wednesday 21st December

Time: 12.30pm to 3pm

Tutors: Chris Truckle / Gilly Kelly

Course details Digital photography can be a great way to enhance our mood, thoughts or feelings. It encourages us to take notice of the world around us, be creative and learn new skills. Taking photographs also encourages us to focus our attention on our subject, which can be an effective tool in reducing stress and anxiety. Each session will provide the opportunity for a short learning walk to capture the world around us digitally and express our feelings through photo editing.

Course: Make and Mend through Fabric Crafts

Venue: St. Oswalds Church St Oswalds Church Hall. Fecitt Brow, Blackburn, BB1 2AT

Starts: Friday 25th November

Ends: Friday 16th December

Time: 10am to 1pm

Tutor: Jackie Wicks

Course details Getting hands on, learning something new and being

creative are all great ways to improve how we feel and cope better with day to day life, especially when we feel low or down. Our tutor will help you to explore together ways to improve how we feel and think. Using a range of textiles we will learn and work together in a social atmosphere. We will have chance to practice a variety of classic techniques

including crochet, knitting and sewing. We will then explore how to create and upcycle existing textiles as

well as making a unique gift for others to enjoy.

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Course: Improve your Mood through Art

Venue: Hopwood Court 1 William Hopwood Street. Blackburn. BB1 1LX

Starts: Tuesday 15th November



Tutor: Julie Harris

Course details For many people art provides an opportunity to explore

our thoughts and feelings through being creative. On this short course you will learn in a friendly and relaxed environment about effective strategies for improving your mood and feeling more motivated. Our tutor will show you how to use art in a therapeutic manner using both oil pastels and acrylics. With regular breaks and the chance to chat there will be lots of

opportunity to share ideas to help improve how we feel. All paints and equipment provided.

Course: Living Well and Coping with Change as you Age (for 50+)

Venue: Audley Neighbourhood Learning Centre

Starts: Tuesday 22nd November


Time: 1pm to 3pm

Tutor: Lynette Banister

Course details Staying healthy and feeling well is important at any age and that doesn’t need to change just because you have a few more grey hairs!

As we grow older we may experience an increasing number of major life changes including career change, retirement, children leaving home, loss of loved ones and physical changes. These can lead to low mood and anxiety. How we handle and grow with these changes is the key to staying healthy and happy. On this course we will have the opportunity to explore strategies and adopt practical tips on how we can maintain our physical and emotional health and live life to the fullest.


Course: Living life to the Full


Starts: Monday 14th November

Ends: Monday 12th December


Tutors: Helina Whittaker / Lynette Banister

Course details On this course you will work with our experienced tutors to explore some of the reasons we can feel bad about ourselves and practise ways we can help ourselves to feel better. You will learn how to recognize which thoughts are bad and develop strategies for turning them into positives. In addition we will also identify ways to overcome problems and improve our motivation using a range of techniques.

Course: Apps and Devices for Wellbeing


Starts: Monday 21st November

Ends: Monday 19th December


Tutors: Sadia Rafi q /Bilkis Naviya

Course details The rise of smartphones and tablet computers in recent years

has introduced a host of new ways to help manage our wellbeing. However, it can be hard to keep up with the pace of change. On this short course we will help you to get to know your device and what it can do. We will explore together some of the apps and websites which can help you cope with issues including anxiety, lack of motivation, feeling low and problems with sleeping.

Being safe online is really important so we will share strategies for using technology and apps in a safe

manner and explore how we can feel more connected through technology.

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Notes



What our learners have said

I would recommend Positive Minds to anyone to come and try the courses as they have changed the way I think about problems.

It helped me gain new skills, improve my concentration and awareness of surroundings. It helped me feel happier, I was really struggling emotionally before.

I found this course very helpful, it made me want to get up in the mornings to look forward to the course.

Being creative on the course has helped to improve my self esteem.

The tutor gave us the freedom to explore the subject in our own way.

about our courses



Want to find out more?Get in touch by:

(01254) 507720

[email protected]

www.bwdlearning.org/positive-minds

Positive Minds BD

To help ensure our information is available to all, these documents are available upon request in a variety of formats including large print, Braille and audio. We can also provide help for British Sign Language users and provide information in other languages. Please ask for details or telephone 01254 507720.


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