Staying Well
Can you ‘step up’ for Rastrick?
An exciting opportunity has come up for Staying Well to join in the Rastrick Around the World Challenge.
Join @ActiveCdale in proving anyone can be active and healthy. You can find out more about this challenge and get involved here:
Rastrick Around the World Challenge
Let’s go!
From NHP Volunteers Week Event Wednesday June 8th
To mark the end of Volunteers’ Week, on Wednesday June 8th NHP held a celebration event to say THANK YOU!
After an ice breaker quiz, some speeches, presentation with volunteers’ feedback, and Staying Well awards, there was food and touching stories shared as we reflected on the difference our Volunteers make to our community.
North Halifax partnership wouldn’t be the same without you.
Become a Staying Well Telephone Befriender!
If you are looking for a volunteering opportunity that can make a huge positive impact to someone, you may want to become a Staying Well Telephone Befriender.
We are looking for people from all walks of life, of any age, having a friendly, chatty approach, willing to reach out to someone who needs a chat.
You only need to commit 30 minutes a week but those 30 minutes can mean the world to someone.
Many of our telephone befrienders have shared that those sessions have improved their own wellbeing.
If you would like to know more, get in touch with Sharon Gibson, Telephone Befriending Co-ordinator on:
m: 07825 089288
t: 01422 392767
e: sharon.gibson@nhpltd.org.uk / stayingwellproject@calderdale.gov.uk
Induction and training will be provided and you will be supported every step of the way.
For more information visit Staying Well Telephone Befriending
From Upper Valley Volunteers’ week event June 6th
On Monday 6th June 22 we held a volunteers ‘Thankyou’ event at Hebden Bridge Town Hall Café. The purpose of the event was to say thank you to our telephone befriending volunteers and to give them a chance to meet up with each other.
All volunteers were supplied with tea and cake and a good time was had by all. The conversation turned to befriending and some useful ideas and suggestions were shared amongst volunteers and staff.
All telephone befriending volunteers were sent a Volunteers’ Week certificate and are very much appreciated for the time they and commitment they put into the service.
Does being a telephone befriender for Staying Well sound like something you would like to do? Find out more about what that involves and if you would like to join our team of Telephone Befrienders!
Staying Well Telephone Befriending Scheme
Full training and support will be provided and you will be making impactful difference to someone’s wellbeing. Many of our volunteer telephone befrienders have commented how this scheme has improved their own wellbeing!
Staying Well Awards ceremony
Way back in January 2020, Staying Well set out to hold an awards ceremony to celebrate the fantastic work their volunteers and groups are involved in.
Without all the wonderful things going on in our communities to reduce loneliness and isolation and keep people healthier and happier, Staying Well could not do what they do.
Staying Well want to take this opportunity to say thank you. The people of Calderdale nominated over 100 groups, organisations and individuals across the borough who are all working and volunteering to make our communities a better place.
A panel of judges selected winners in 10 categories:
1. Staying Well Lower Valley Award
Christ Church, Hipperholme
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2. Staying Well North & East Halifax Award
Men United
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3. Bringing People Together Award
Sheila Jackson, Shakeela Zaman
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4. Staying Well Upper Valley Award
Tuesday 2 O’clock Club
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5. Staying Well Central Halifax Award
Raziea Yousaf
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6. Calderdale Cares Award
Bankfield Surgery Practice Health Champions
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7. Contribution to Community Resilience Award
Calderdale Friends of Dorothy
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8. Dedication to Communities Award
Shabir Hussain
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9. Outstanding Individual Award
Kevin Sheils
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10. Active Calderdale Award
George Watson
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The COVID pandemic may have prevented Staying Well from holding the party they had in mind, so instead they have made a film to celebrate and highlight all those who were nominated and won awards, showcasing the brilliant groups and activities they are involved in.
Congratulations to everyone! You can watch the video here https://youtu.be/3rQOYtfBoNs to see just how awesome the people of Calderdale are.
If you would like more information on Staying Well, please visit www.stayingwellhub.com
Staying Well are looking for volunteer telephone befrienders
At Staying Well we believe that talking to someone who will take the time to listen can be very beneficial to your health and wellbeing!
If you are looking for a volunteering opportunity that can make a huge positive impact to someone, you may want to become a Staying Well Telephone Befriender.
We are looking for people from all walks of life, of any age, having a friendly, chatty approach, willing to reach out to someone who needs somebody to talk to.
You only need to commit 30 minutes a week but those 30 minutes can mean the world to someone.
Many of our telephone befrienders have shared that those sessions have improved their own wellbeing.
If you would like to know more, get in touch with Sharon Gibson, our Befriending Coordinator on:
t: 07825 089 288
e: sharon.gibson@nhpltd.org.uk
Induction and training will be provided.
For more information visit Staying Well Telephone Befriending section
Case Study
To get an idea of the work Staying Well does and which a Telephone Befriender may eventually be able to do, please read this case Study: (name has been changed)
Client G
After an initial conversation with Client G’s daughter, it became apparent that Client G was feeling quite lost with himself and very isolated socially. Client G lost his wife 2 years ago and has been feeling quite lonely and isolated, he suffers with dementia and this can cause some confusion. He had been attending [Venue A] and is thoroughly enjoying this but was very uncertain about trying any other community groups alone.
After various conversations with Client G’s daughter, [Venue B] community group in Elland seemed to be appealing. Initially I took Client G to [Venue B] and introduced him to everyone, helping him fill in the paperwork, which he seemed quite overwhelmed with. He sat on a table with a few other male members of [Venue B] and seemed to settle In well and enjoy himself. I spoke with Client G later that day and he said ;
‘I really enjoyed the group and everyone has made me feel so welcome. I definitely want to go again.’
He has continued to attend twice a month and seems to be really benefiting from attending this group especially from a social perspective. However he is also enjoying the various speakers and presentations [Venue B] have to offer.
Client G’s Daughter feels that the initial support from Staying Well gave Client G the confidence to eventually attend the group independently. She also feels attending [Venue B] and looking forward to this has improved his mood and mental health. I am now in discussions with Client G’s daughter looking at other groups that her dad may be interested in trying in the coming weeks.
Volunteers Week – find about volunteering opportunities near you
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering.
Held each year in the first week of June (1st-7th) it is the opportunity to thank everyone who give their time for free to beneficiary causes, improving the lives of those around them, be it in their immediate community or even far and wide.
If you would like to volunteer, there are several opportunities. Take a look at some of these below.
Calderdale Making Space are on the look out for enthusiastic volunteers for several roles that will help them provide the services that they do in various locations across Calderdale.
View available positions
North Halifax Partnership is currently looking to recruit volunteers to join in many of its services. We hold a Volunteer Drop-In event at the Piece Hall on Wednesday the 8th of June where you can find out how you can become involved.
Attend our Volunteering Drop-In event at the Piece Hall on Wednesday 8th of June from 4pm
Staying Well are looking for Volunteer Telephone Befrienders.
You will receive full training and can commit to as little as half an hour a week – which can make a huge difference in someone’s life!
Be a Staying Well Telephone Befriender
Sure Start Children’s Centres are always looking for keen volunteers to assist in all aspects of running our nurseries.
There will be a two day volunteer course at Wellholme Park Children’s Centre for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with us.
Staying Well are looking for volunteer telephone befrienders
At Staying Well we believe that talking to someone who will take the time to listen can be very beneficial to your health and wellbeing!
If you are looking for a volunteering opportunity that can make a huge positive impact to someone, you may want to become a Staying Well Telephone Befriender.
We are looking for people from all walks of life, of any age, having a friendly, chatty approach, willing to reach out to someone who needs somebody to talk to.
You only need to commit 30 minutes a week but those 30 minutes can mean the world to someone.
Many of our telephone befrienders have shared that those sessions have improved their own wellbeing.
If you would like to know more, get in touch with Sharon Gibson, our Befriending Coordinator on:
t: 07825 089 288
e: sharon.gibson@nhpltd.org.uk
Induction and training will be provided.
For more information visit Staying Well Telephone Befriending section
From Calderdale Big Band Tea Dance May 14th
On Saturday 14th May 2022, we held our Calderdale Big Band Tea Dance Event at Arden Road Social Club. The purpose of the event was to bring people together who had experienced social isolation and loneliness over the last few years of the pandemic and to relive a classic 1940’s event.
This was an opportunity for people to socialise, dust off them old dancing shoes and have a good time. Coming together through musical nostalgia, the event offered the chance to forget about the worries, struggles and challenges we have all faced in recent years. Instead, everyone was able to experience a sense of normality as our community came together.
The event started at 1.15pm with people from across Calderdale arriving with their families, friends, and carers. Everyone was seated with the help of volunteers and staff, who then provided teas and coffees as everyone began to mingle.
Live music was performed by 18 members of the Calderdale Big Band who played a variety of songs and tracks from the 1940’s through the event. We were very happy to have our friends from Active Rainbow (Sophie, Eve, and Heidi) come along dressed in traditional 1940’s attire and deliver a live dance sequence for everyone to follow. This brought many people up from their chairs to join the dance instructors on the dance floor. This was a chance for people to shake them shoulders, show them jazz hands and have a great time dancing front of stage.
Midway through the event, afternoon tea was served by staff and volunteers which consisted of a selection of sandwiches, cakes and other nibbles. Whilst everyone was eating, our very own Rachel Swaby (Communities Programme Manager at North Halifax Partnership) introduced Staying Well. Rachel explained more about the service and presented the Staying Well Awards film on a projector screen for everyone to watch.
Once the film had finished, the Calderdale Big Band took to the stage and resumed playing their second set of songs. This brought more people to the dance floor, to enjoy another round of great hits from the 1940’s. The dance instructors led another live dance set for everyone to follow. As the event came to a close at 4.30pm, everyone left with beaming smiles, full stomachs, new friendships, and possibly slightly sore feet from all that dancing! The general feel of the event was very positive with lots of amazing feedback:
“It has made my weekend!”
“Wonderful event, thanks for organising it!”
“Keep doing what you’re doing!”
We want to take this opportunity to thank the Calderdale Big Band, Active Rainbow, NPT Team One (local PSCO’s in Calderdale), Ebonnie and James from Archway Project & Arden Road Social Club and their volunteers, our fellow Staying Well workers and North Halifax Partnership for funding the event.
For more pictures, visit Big Band Tea Dance on Staying Well
We’re featured in the Halifax Courier!
Find out what else is happening at Staying Well!
Staying Well community event outcome March 30th
On the 30th March, our Lower Valley Staying Well Workers linked with Healthy Minds and Focus 4 Hope to deliver an event in Brighouse, showcasing local community provision as well as developing a chance for community consultation.
Community stalls included the Memory Lane Cafe, Our Place, Turning Point, The Space at Fieldlane, Rastrick Big Local, Salvation Army and their craft group, Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve, and a local Theatrical group.
Beside the stalls, a number of other people came to the event including the community champion from Morrisons in Elland, the Lower Valley Active Calderdale worker and the Lower Valley Better Living trainer.
The event took place from 11 – 2pm, with plenty of time for people to come in from the snow and have a lovely warming drink and a cake, take part in decorating heart shaped biscuits and painting rocks, talk to the many stall holders and discover how what is available in their area can enrich their lives.
Richard and Louise introduced the event in a fun, friendly way, and people relaxed and enjoyed themselves. A tasty sausage casserole and vegetarian chilli was provided by Focus 4 Hope, as well as fresh wood fired pizza from Alex at Crust and Crumb.
Once the food had time to settle, Marsha and David of Tai Chi Tigers got everyone moving. The effect of gentle movement, tapping and breathing made everyone feel more relaxed and positively energised.
We have received positive feedback from the event with many participants saying they felt uplifted.
Click on images to view them larger
Arts and crafts
Some of the guests
Information stalls
Food
Tai Chi activity
Feedback
“It was a wonderful event run by all. Meeting new people, not feeling as anxious and just nice to manage to leave the house”
“This is the first time I’ve been in a group meeting since losing my husband to Covid 18 months ago. Thank you”
“Good event well organised. Thank you for your hard work”
“A good all-round event enjoyed the time spent with lots of info. Thank you”
Stay tuned to the Calderdale Lower Valley Blog and Staying Well for similar upcoming events!
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 