COURSE
PROSPECTUS
Learn
Spring Term 2017
Grow
Smile
Contents
p.6-10
p.11-22
p.23-25
p.26
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What’s it all about?
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FAQs
What is the Wellbeing College?
We are a partnership of community organisations who have
come together to achieve a common aim of making people
happy and healthy through education. By working together
we aim to make it easier for people to find out about and
get involved in activities that promote wellbeing.
Who is the college for?
The college is open to adults (18+) who live or work in
South Gloucestershire and are interested in learning new
skills, trying out new activities, or learning ways to improve
their health and wellbeing.
Where is the college based?
We are a ‘pop-up’ college! We deliver courses and activities
at community based venues across the whole of South
Gloucestershire.
How do I apply for courses or activities?
You can contact us by phone or email to let us know that
you are interested in getting involved, and to book an
appointment with one of our advisors. You can also talk to
staff in our partner organisations (see p27).
What is a Student Development Advisor?
When you first contact the college we will arrange for you to
meet with a student development advisor (SDA) for an
informal conversation to discuss what you hope to get out
of the college, set manageable goals, and draw up a
personal learning plan.
Your SDA will be with you
throughout your journey to offer you support and
encouragement.
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Get involved
Get Inspired
Read on to find out what is on offer this term, and
contact us to get involved!
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Your
Employment, skills
and volunteering timetable
Social Media and IT know how course
Kingswood
10am—12pm, Twice a month. A practical course that will
build your confidence and knowledge on how to become
more savvy online. From setting up email, money saving tips,
useful free software to web design, job searching and
benefit claims. Friendly and approachable tutor.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Employment and IT Support
Kingswood
1-3pm, every Friday. One to one and small group IT and job
search support provided on a weekly basis with the hands
on support of volunteers experienced in using UC and job
search websites with an aim to enable people to become
independent job searchers and applicants.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
First Steps into Work for Parents
Kingswood
10am—12pm, Every Thursday for 6 weeks. A course that
helps with practical tips and support for parents who have
been out of the workplace for some time.
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Volunteer Walk Leadership training
- Walking for Health
Yate
Wednesday 1st February, 10am-4pm
Walking for health is a network of short, led, regular walks
across South Glos. If you like walking and can spare a
couple of hours a month we are looking for fun, friendly
and sociable people to help lead our walks. You would be
helping people in the community - to get active and healthy
as well as providing vital support that the community might
not otherwise get.
______________________________________________
Families United
Kingswood
1-3pm, Every Friday for 8 weeks. 6th January
registration session. A course for parents who want to build their
confidence and skills in managing their children’s behaviour. You
will learn new tools and tips that will support you as a parent.
________________________________________________
Essential Cooking Skills
Kingswood
10am—12pm, Every Friday for 6 weeks
Starts 19th January
A practical course that will build your
cooking skills and experience. You will
try out a new recipe each week and
learn about healthy eating.
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Peer Support Training
Kingswood/Yate
Kingswood - 6 sessions 7-22 Feb 2017 (Tuesday &
Wednesday) , 10am-4.30pm
Yate - 8 sessions 14 Mar-7 April 2017 (Tuesday & Friday),
11.15am-4.15pm
Learn about how your ‘lived experience’ of mental health
problems can be used in a positive way to support others.
The course covers theory and practice of peer work and an
exploration of your own recovery. We also look at wellness
tools and communication techniques as well as exploring
the reality of working in a peer role. On the last day of the
course we look at the next steps you may wish to take,
such as employment or volunteering.
Please note that this course is subject to an application
and shortlisting process.
________________________________________________
Peer Tutor/ Peer Befriender Training
Dates and locations tbc
Additional training for people wishing to volunteer as a
‘peer’ for the Wellbeing College.
NB: Potential volunteers will need to have completed the
above Peer Support Training course before enrolling on
these courses.
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Volunteer Placement Scheme
Flexible Location
Tailored to your availability.
Free scheme set up to help people find the right
volunteering opportunity. A worker will set up a placement
that works for the client and offer ongoing support.
Volunteer Centre Kingswood Drop-in
Kingswood
1-3pm, Every Thursday
Weekly drop-in session, where friendly volunteers will help
people register for a range of volunteering opportunities.
______________________________________________
Reading Champions
Cadbury Heath
Every Monday, 30min - 1hr sessions
1:1 help for people who struggle to read.
______________________________________________
Job & IT Club
Kingswood
1-3pm, Every Thursday. A weekly drop-in
session where friendly volunteers will support people with
IT and job-seeking.
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Free Courses for adults aged 19+ with few or no qualifications.
Find us across South Gloucestershire.
Locations include Bradley Stoke, Cadbury Heath, Downend, Filton, Kingswood
Mangotsfield, Patchway Staple Hill and Yate .
Courses include - English, Maths, IT skills,
Employability and confidence.
http://www.southglos.gov.uk/education-and-learning/adult-andcommunity-education/
“If you want to learn something, or a course catches
your eye, push yourself to
try it out because you
might meet new people.”
“It’s social and fun.
You get to meet a
new circle of friends
who are on the same
journey as yourself”
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Physical Health
No Strings Badminton
Cadbury Heath
8-9pm, Every Friday
Social badminton with refreshments
________________________________________________
Indoor Climbing
Kingswood
8 x weekly 3hr sessions (day and time tbc)
A friendly qualified climbing instructor will provide an 8
week climbing course for beginners. A great way to get fit
and make friends.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Beginners Social Tennis
Bradley Stoke
8-9pm every Wednesday
Tennis - learn new skills supported by a coach. Especially
for beginners or returners to tennis.
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Wheelchair Dancing
Downend
7.30-9.30pm Every Monday.
_________________________________________________
Gentle exercise class
Cadbury Heath
10-11am
An instructor will guide you in gentle exercise.
_________________________________________________
Walking Netball
Oldland Common
7.30-8.30pm, every Friday
Social netball, only walking not running.
________________________________________________
“Last Legs” Senior Mens’ Fitness
Almondsbury
10-11am, every Tuesday
Exercise for men aged 50+ lead by a physiotherapist.
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Walking for Health
Walks available across various days and locations. See ‘Enjoying
the World Around You’ section of prospectus.
________________________________________________
1:1 Stop Smoking Support Drop-In Sessions
Kingswood
11.30am—2.00pm Every Thursday
One-to-one information and support to help you quit
smoking. See below for details.
Want to stop smoking?
We can help.
Smokefree South Gloucestershire offer free
support to help you stop smoking for good. We can
provide Nicotine Replacement Therapy and stop
smoking medications on prescription.
Available every Thursday for 12 weeks from 5th
January 2017, 11:30-14:00 at Kingswood Civic Centre,
BS15 9TR
To book your appointment, contact Kate:
[email protected] or 07900 703369
For more details, visit:
www.southglos.gov.uk/smokefree
Because life’s better smokefree!
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Buggy Fitness
Longwell Green
9.30-10.15am every Friday
Weekly group for new mums - exercise with buggies & babies!
________________________________________________________________________________
Lunchtime Walk
Cadbury Heath
12.30-1pm every Monday
A gentle local walk for all ages - including buggies and dogs.
________________________________________________________________________________
Short Mat Bowls
Staple Hill
2-4pm every Tuesday
Social indoor bowls with refreshments.
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Emotional & Social Wellbeing
Wellbeing Drop In
Filton, Patchway or Yate
Filton - Every Wednesday 6.30-8.30pm
Patchway - Every Thursday 11.30am-1.30pm
Yate - Every Monday 1.30pm-3.30pm
An informal weekly drop in session for peer support around
mental health. Come and meet others, learn about what
helps emotional wellbeing and try some new activities.
________________________________________________
Boost Your Self– Esteem
Patchway
Tuesdays 10:00 am—12:00pm, 17th & 24th January
A two week course offering tips for building self-esteem.
Learn how to recognise your qualities for a more balanced,
kinder view of yourself.
________________________________________________
Understanding Depression
Yate
Tuesday 17th January, 10.30am-4.30pm
Explore how depression affects you, and learn techniques
for managing the impact of depression.
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Food for Mood
Dates and locations tbc
A one-off taster session. Learn some of the links between
what we eat and drink and how we feel. Small changes can
make us feel calmer and more energised!
________________________________________________________
Friendship Club
Kingswood
1.5 hours, Thursday afternoons A weekly armchair, exercise
and social club led by a qualified instructor and supported
by local volunteers.
________________________________________________________
Positive State of Mind
Kingswood
19:30pm—21:00pm, Every other Wednesday or Thursday
A fortnightly peer support group for people who have
experiences of anxiety, depression or poor mental health.
________________________________________________________
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Promoting Positive Mental Health
Kingswood
Wednesday 8th February 10.30am-12pm
The 90 minute introductory course covers:
• What do we mean by ‘mental health’?
• Ways to build resilience and wellbeing into our personal
lives and in our work roles
• Information on local mental health wellbeing services and
how to access them
• Information on where to turn in a crisis
________________________________________________
Improve your Mental Wealth & Emotional Resilience
Workshop
Kingswood
Thursday 30th March 10.30am-12pm
We all face challenges in life; but how well equipped are we
to face those challenges? This depends on our mental
health or what we call our mental wealth. One of the best
ways to improve our mental wealth is to improve our
emotional resilience skills. This 90 minute workshop gives
you information on how to strengthen the 5 building blocks
of resilience:
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Emotional Awareness
Thought Challenging
Impulse control
Developing confidence
Being optimistic
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Discovering Good Mental Health
Yate
13:00 - 16:30 Tuesdays and Fridays (6 sessions over 4 wks)
Do you have difficulties with your mental health? Would
you like to explore ways to better manage your emotional
wellbeing? This course can help you to discover some
useful tools, explore your own recovery journey, gain
greater confidence and connect with like-minded people.
Part one (3 sessions) - 24th - 31st January (Tue/Fri/Tue)
What we mean by recovery, support networks and
relationships, and useful self-management tools.
Part two (3 sessions) - 7th - 14th February (Tue/Fri/Tue)
Self-awareness and identity; what we enjoy and find
interesting; more useful self-management tools; our
achievements and goals.
The workshop-style sessions have been designed by peers,
volunteers and service users. We provide a safe and
supportive environment for you to explore what good
mental health means to you.
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Assertiveness
Filton
Weekly 10am-12pm from Thursday 9th March—6th April
An informal course which aims to help you understand
what being assertive means and why you may struggle to
be assertive.
It will also teach you techniques to become more assertive.
________________________________________________
Clear Thinking: The Path to Better Decision Making
2hr one-off workshop, date and location tbc
In our daily lives we all make many decisions, some big,
some small. Even small decisions can sometimes, maybe
unexpectedly, lead to large consequences. However we can
all learn to make better decisions. This practical and
interactive workshop will help you to develop your own
reasoning skills, more easily recognize ‘flawed arguments’,
and begin to use ‘Clear Thinking’ skills to benefit your
quality of life.
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Introduction to Wellbeing Taster Programme
Yate/ Patchway/ Kingswood
Three weekly 2.5 hrs sessions - dates tbc
A series of half day sessions designed to give you tools and
space to think about your emotional wellbeing. The sessions
can be attended as stand-alone tasters or you can do all three
as a course.
5 Ways to Wellbeing – Learn about the “Five Ways to
Wellbeing” and how using these simple steps can improve
your emotional health.
Developing Self Awareness – How well do you know
yourself? This session will help you to celebrate your
uniqueness; assess your likes, dislikes, values and goals; and
identify your strengths and qualities as an individual.
Introduction to Mindfulness – A practical session for you to
learn about mindfulness and meditation, and try out some
basic techniques.
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Creative Activities
Craft Corner
Patchway
Weekly 10:00 am—12:00pm (date tbc)
An opportunity to knit, crochet, craft and socialise. You can learn
from other members or share a skill you have with others.
_____________________________________________________________________
Rhythm & Relaxation
Locations tbc
Weekly for three weeks (dates tbc)
Relaxation through dance and movement—with no steps to
learn and no right or wrong! A creative way to express yourself
and ’be in your body’.
______________________________________________________________
Creative Arts Course for Wellbeing Patchway/Staple Hill
Patchway: Tuesdays, 6.30-8pm, 17th Jan —28th March
Staple Hill: Fridays, 10.30am-12pm, 28th Jan—31st March
Try a range of arts activities including music, writing, crafts and
much more.
______________________________________________________________
Creative Café
Patchway / Staple Hill
Patchway: Tuesdays, 1.30-3pm, from 17th Jan —28th March
Staple Hill: Fridays, 1.30-3pm, 28th Jan—8th March
Welcoming older people and those with memory loss
Try a range of arts activities including music, writing, crafts
and much more - carers welcome to participate.
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Community Choir
Cadbury Heath
Every Thursday 13:00-14:30
An opportunity for people to come along and sing.
No experience necessary. Includes refreshments.
______________________________________________________________
Twin Wave Drumming
Various locations tbc
2hr taster sessions - March 2017
Making you sound
together! Experience the
therapeutic benefits of
cardiovascular
drumming, followed by
relaxing gong
meditation.
______________________________________________________________
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Visual Stories Through The Camera
Yate
Wednesdays 10am-1pm, 22nd February - 29th March
Come along to our 6 week course exploring how to use the
camera as a means to tell a story. Bring along any equipment
you want to use – a phone, a disposable camera, a ‘point and
shoot’ or an SLR. As well as developing a photography project
based on a theme chosen by the group you will also gain
technical understanding of taking pictures. The course will end
with an exhibition of your work!
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Walking for Health
Various Locations
These free walks are led by friendly volunteers and are ideal
for people who are new to or returning to exercise.

Bristol Bath Railway Path walk
1 hr every other Tuesday from 11am
Walk for as long as you like, (anything between ten minutes and
an hour) at your own pace, along the flat, easy access Railway
Path. After the walk enjoy a cuppa and a chat at the cafe.

Chipping Sodbury Rugby FC walks
30 mins every other Tuesday from 11am
A gentle walk around the flat easy access rugby club. Walk for as
long as you like, (anything between ten minutes and 30 minutes)
at your own pace. After the walk enjoy a cuppa and a chat at the
cafe.

Kingsmeadow walks
Up to 1hr on the 1st Wednesday of every month from 1pm
A gentle monthly led walk designed to accommodate any
walker's needs - allowing people to walk the distance they feel
comfortable with. Walks vary, taking in
Siston Commons, the Railway Path and quiet
streets around Kingswood.
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
Filton Nutfield House walks
20-30 mins every other Thursday from 2pm
Enjoying the calm and quiet streets in Filton, all on pavements.

Filton Patchway Stokes weekly walks
Up to 1hr every Thursday from 11am
A gently weekly walks which lasts between 45 minutes and
an hour, the meeting place alternates between Sainsburys,
Stoke Gifford and The Willowbrook Centre Bradley Stoke.
___________________________________________________
Green Spaces
Patchway
10:00am—12:00pm on Fridays
The Green Spaces project works to make the green spaces of
Patchway beautiful and useful. It is an opportunity to meet weekly
and learn about growing fruit, veg and flowers.
________________________________________________
Men In Sheds
Patchway / Filton
Wednesdays- 10am-2pm (Patchway) / 9:30am-12:30pm (Filton)
A weekly group for men (and women!) in retirement to meet and
achieve practical projects in the community and make friends.
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Money Smart
Kingswood
Dates and locations tba, according to interest.
A friendly, interactive three week course designed to get you
thinking about what you spend and what you want to use
your money for. Includes cutting costs through smart
shopping, understanding bills, credit, banking and money
planning.
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The Wellbeing College
[email protected]
Tel: 01454 821856
http://www.merlinhs.co.uk/wellbeing-college
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