In response to the very sad news today that His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh has died, the Mayor of Calderdale, Cllr Dot Foster, said:
“We are saddened by the news today of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip has played a significant role in the public life of the nation for over 70 years. We will remember him for his many years of public service, for the support he has given the Queen throughout her reign and for his extensive charitable work.
“Our thoughts today are with the Queen and the Royal Family.
“As a mark of respect, we are flying the Union flag at half-mast at Halifax Town Hall from today until the day of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.”
UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 01: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh looks handsome in a top hat circa 1970 (date unknown) in England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
Call to address LGBT+ health inequalities April 19
Have a great weekend!
If you’re on our mailing list the Friday Flyer will arrive direct to your inbox every Friday. Join the mailing list by emailing calderdalelowervalley@gmail.com
You may have noticed that series 2 of Curious e-Motion launched on Tuesday!
For this series we are exploring the values that Curious Motion holds – artistry, compassion, curiosity, empathy, inclusion and integrity. What do they mean to different people and what can we learn by delving into them?
Plus, we’ve got some exciting podcast updates and some extra content for you – keep reading to find out more…
Episode 1 – Theo Clinkard on ‘artistry’
We are kicking off with ‘artistry’ and to do this Sam is joined by renowned dancer and choreographer, Theo Clinkard. Settle in for a fascinating exploration into artistry and what this means for our society.
Theo also tells us about ‘Century Project’ – his upcoming hopeful dance work that spans a century, launching in 2021 and completing beyond our lifetimes, in 2120.
It’s a fascinating chat you don’t want to miss!
New music & bonus episode
We’ve got new music! A huge thank you to musician Rich Huxley for creating an original track for our theme.
Rich plays strings and things and sings with Hope and Social, co founded the world’s first fan-funded record label, heads up Songwork International’s UK operations and in non-COVID times works all over the world as a performer, producer, writer, and creative entrepreneur.
Want to know more? Check out our special bonus episode to hear the full track and find out more about the series theme of ‘Our Values’.
Episodes drop on Tuesdays and are available on your favourite podcast platform and on our website.
We are pleased to share our April ‘OUR NEWS’ newsletter, created by Neighbourhood Watch Network (the umbrella organisation for Neighbourhood Watches across England and Wales) for all Neighbourhood Watch supporters – from households to volunteers and partners.
This month we launch our PROTECT YOUR CAR campaign. We also look at fleeceware scams, predatory marriage and much more. Next year, in 2022, we will be celebrating Neighbourhood Watch’s 40th Anniversary and we want to hear from you how YOU would like to see this celebrated nationally. Please take a minute to give us your views here.
We hope you enjoy reading our newsletter and would love to hear from you on what you would like to read more of. Please send your suggestions to deborah.waller@ourwatch.org.uk.
(The following is an abbreviation of letter circulated in schools on March 29th, signed by Deborah Harkins, Director of Public Health and Julie Jenkins, Director of Children and Young People’s Services)
With schools open more widely and education returning to something a bit more normal, we want to take the opportunity to thank those of you whose children were at home during the last lockdown, for your hard work, supporting your children with home learning.
It’s wonderful to see children and young people back at school and able to see their friends classmates and school staff once again. Social interacton is an important part of learning for young people.
Schools continue to do everything they can to keep children safe from COVID-19 . Please do continue to be polite to school staff. They don’t make the rules, they’re following public health advice, acting on professional advice and trying to keep everyone safe.
The wider opening of schools was the first step on the Government’s roadmap and as we look forward to the coming weeks and months, further restirctions will be lifted if all goes to plan. We’re on the right path but it’s really important we all do what we can to keep moving in the right direction. The more we can do to stop the spread the safer everyone will be and the less disruption there will be to education.
Please do keep your child at home if they have any symptoms of COVID-19:
A high temperature
A new and continuous cough
A loss or change to the sense of sell or taste
When a child with symptoms attends school, it doesn’t just create the risk of transmission but also interrupts the education of all involved and creates challenges for all as everyone the child had contact with may require to self isolate.
From March 29th we’re back to the Rule of 6, where up to 6 people can meet up, or two households if between them there are more than 6 household members. This applies for outdoors meetings, there will still be no indoors mixing, unless it is between members of a support bubble.
Please think carefully about what you do at the school gate and the way back from school. Please do keep up the good work by avoiding mixing with other households indoors. This applies to your children too – no sleep overs or after school meet ups, please.
Finally, please wear face coverings at drop-off and pick-up while you’re on foot. It is an easy protective measure and can make a real difference. School staff wear them wherever is feasible to do so and it will really support them in their efforts to keep your children safe.
We’re really proud of the efforts our schools and families have taken in Calderdale to help reduce COVID-19 infection. Over 330 people in Calderdale have died of COVID-19. The roll out of the vaccination programme is a vital step towards reducing the impact of the infection but all other measures we have used over the last year are still really important too.
If you or your child have concerns about COVID-19, contact the Healthy Futures Calderdale school nursing team
by phone on 0303 330 9974
by text on 07480 635297 (young people)
or 07507 332157 (parents/carers).
Someone dies from bowel cancer in the UK every thirty minutes. Seems unthinkable doesn’t it, especially when bowel cancer is treatable when diagnosed at an early stage.
The problem is that only 9% of patients are diagnosed at that stage.
Beating Bowel Cancer and Bowel Cancer UK have merged and their mission is to ensure that by 2050, no-one will die of bowel cancer. Eating plenty of high fibre foods helps reduce the risk. Red meats such as beef, pork, lamb and veal, processed meats such as sausages, bacon, salami, tinned meats, and packet meats like sandwich ham, are linked to a higher risk of bowel cancer so try to limit how much of these you eat.
If treated early there is a very good chance of recovery – visit Bowel Cancer UK where you will find lots of information and advice.
Take a look at the April courses and regular workshops and groups from Healthy Minds Calderdale.
For the present everything is run over zoom with joining instructions emailed before the sessions.
Workshops, Courses and Groups April to June 2021
Allotment Workshops (various dates)
In these workshops we will experience the wellbeing benefits of ‘green spaces’ and cover a range of themed activities including arts and crafts, mindfulness, ‘noticing check-lists’ and photography.
*Please note the outdoor workshops may be subject to change
Coming out of Lockdown – Feeling Anxious? Zoom Workshop Tuesday 25th May, 11-12.20pm
The thought of things going ‘back to normal’, seeing friends in crowded places, going back to the office, attending family gatherings and travelling on public transport may feel overwhelming, sound tiring and fill you with anxiety. This workshop will provide a welcoming space and opportunity for you to talk about your fears with others and discuss ways which may help you.
Setting Goals and Moving Forward. Zoom Workshop
Tuesday 15th June, 11-12.30pm
During lockdown you may have had the chance to think about new things you would like to try or achieve in your life when restrictions are lifted or you may feel that lockdown has made you retreat into your comfort zone and you can’t find any motivation to make change, whether it be to look for a new job, join a social group or take better care of your health to name a few. This workshop will give you the opportunity to talk about your goals with others and learn ways to break them down into small achievable steps as well as inspire each other!
Paper-based postal versions of workshops are also available.
Regular groups
Arts and Crafts for Wellbeing – 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, 6-7.30pm
A light hearted space for people to make some creative connections. Each session is themed. Past activities have included mask making, Zentangling and origami.
Allotment group – every Thursday 10.30-12.30
An opportunity to spend time outdoors with others, learn more about growing and harvesting a range of plants. Participants are welcome to do as much or as little as you choose to in the peaceful setting of our lovely allotment. No experience needed – we’re all learning!
*Please note group places are limited in line with restrictions. Participants will be required to complete a Covid safe activity form before attending the session.
Anxiety and Depression Peer-Support groups, twice monthly
(Call conferencing)
A peer-support telephone group for those who would like to access peer support but prefer not to use Zoom (live video service). The groups are a safe and non-judgmental space and offer structure, guidance and support for those experiencing anxiety and depression.
Recovery group (CHIME) once every month
The group will explore key themes about recovery in mental health: Connectedness, Hope and Optimism, Identity, Meaning in Life and Empowerment; exploring how these themes relate to our personal recovery journey. Please note: this is a closed group for people who have attended workshops, groups and courses with Healthy Minds.
Booking and further information
To book or to access further details about any of workshops, courses or
groups please email:
I hope you are all well.
Take a look at the April courses and regular workshops and groups from Healthy Minds Calderdale.
