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 ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk 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

Ckrecovery.wellbeing@swyt.nhs.uk

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!