Our Programmes

Our Programmes

Our Programmes

Popular activities we deliver that help regulate anxiety mood & happiness

Our programmes run across West Yorkshire and are at the heart of our mission to achieve good mental health & wellbeing for all.
We look at different ways of preventing mental ill-health in communities and individuals around West Yorkshire.
We put our mental health research to the test with programmes created for specific communities, and aim to help prevent mental health problems developing both for individuals and communities. We also work with partners and communities to build sustainable, evidence-informed programmes.

Knitting for all (Yarnie Program)

Knit your way to happiness Specifically, knitting more than 3 times a week increases the likelihood that knitting would make someone feel calm and happy. Knitting every day had the best effects on calmness and happiness! People surveyed said the rhythmic and repetitive motion of knitting was to thank for this calming effect.

The rhythm of knitting helps with serotonin release. This is the chemical transmitter that helps regulate anxiety, happiness, and mood. There is a strong connection between knitting and the feelings of calm and happiness in the brain.

The social aspect of knitting can also lead to better mental health. Whether it is online groups or real-life knitting circles, the support networks can help with anxiety and depression.

Knitting can help with being mindful which is focusing one’s awareness on the present. By relaxing into knitting, attention can be focused on breathing, clearing thoughts, and taking the time to be in the moment. Our brains aren’t equipped for all the multi-tasking that we do and by knitting, we can force our brain to engage in one activity at a time. So, if you are looking for a way to boost your mental or physical health, you may want to give knitting a try

Crocheting (Happy Hookers Program)

With rising rates of mental health disorders being reported, it is imperative that we investigate accessible ways to increase relaxation and reduce stress.

Research suggests that crochet offers positive benefits for personal wellbeing with many people actively using crochet to manage mental health conditions and life events such as grief, chronic illness and pain. Crochet is a relatively low-cost, portable activity that can be easily learnt and seems to convey all of the positive benefits provided by knitting. the health benefits of crochet are endless. All you need is your trusty hook and some colourful yarn to lose yourself in craft therapy and let the good vibes in.

Mental health can be a difficult subject to talk about, which means suffering can be lonely. Unlike having a visible illness or injury, depression and anxiety show no physical side effects and often can go unnoticed, even by those closest to you. However hard it might be to believe, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and crochet therapy could help you manage the day-to-day struggles.

Crochet therapy for depression and anxiety can work wonders. It has the power to carry you through depression, soothe anxiety, and give you a much-needed boost in confidence. The familiar curve of the hook, the challenge of a new stitch, and the pulse of a regular row can absorb hours of worry and quiet negative thoughts in an instant.

The repetition of stitches is said to stimulate the production of serotonin, the brain’s feel-good chemical that helps boost your mood. And that’s not all – the simple act of choosing colours and patterns can be a decision-making task that might be big victory on a difficult day. Plus, having a go-to project brings about a sense of purpose and achievement.

Come join our fun relaxed community classes whether you’re a beginner or a pro. Our experienced tutors will assist any beginners in to their new journey of joining the crocheting community.

Card Making/Crafting (Stamping Up Program)

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, with one in five people in England being diagnosed. Card crafting is a great way to help you cope with your depression and reduce your anxiety as it keeps your mind busy and enables you to focus on the task at hand.

Card crafting increases dopamine levels in your brain, it can make you feel happier, which can have a positive impact on your everyday life.

85% of adults in the UK suffer from stress, so never feel like you are suffering on your own. Crafting is a great way for reducing your stress levels and easing your mind. It helps to deflect your mind from anxieties to creative projects, builds your confidence as your face and complete a new challenge, and it can also increase and expand your social skills by interacting with other crafters

Card Crafting is a way to express yourself, letting your personality speak through your creations. The more positive you feel, and happier you become. Taking up a hobby such as crafting can also help boost your positivity. Trying something new and creative can boost your mood and take away the stress you may feel.

Our crafting tutors will provide you with many crafting materials. Join us and find your crafting journey and let your inner artist blossom.

Floristry (Happy Stems Program)

There are many creative hands-on Methods that’s are effective in helping those striving improved mental health & Wellbeing. Mental illness is now one of United Kingdom’s major health issues. According to the UK Bureau of Statistics, approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. In England 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem such as anxiety and depression in any given week.

The most worrying statistic of all however, is that of the 4 million UK citizens who are living with depression or anxiety, only 35 per cent will seek treatment, meaning that so many others are suffering in silence and likely without any support, professional or otherwise.

While many assume that the only strategies involve expensive counselling or are prescription driven, there are many creative, hands-on methods that are effective in helping those striving for improved mental health.

There is much research to support the assumption that flowers contribute significantly to a person’s overall happiness. Their findings show that flowers are a natural moderator of moods and have strong positive effects on emotional health, providing scientific evidence that flowers do promote happiness and joy which are certainly essential for our psychological health and wellbeing.

Research suggests flower arranging to be a unique and creative ‘hands on’ solution that allows people to access the healing property of flowers as a key component of an effective health and wellbeing strategy.

Our qualified tutors will help you construct various arrangements for all occasions. Come join the fun filled class and enhance your flower arranging skills.

Contact us today or make a self-referral

With rising rates of mental health disorders being reported, it is imperative that we investigate accessible ways to increase relaxation and reduce stress

How common are mental health problems?

1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England
25%
1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England
17%