 Welcome to the Living Well May newsletter!
This month is packed with ideas, support, and local events to help you feel good, get connected, and live well across Bradford district.
Grab a cuppa and read our newsletter or click the links below to jump to the stories you're most interested in!
Free Training
Learn and get qualifications with the Living Well Academy
Spotlight on Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness Week, Hope and Light, Talking Therapies, Restore Recovery College
Your Health Now
Don’t Swerve a Sight Test, Drink Coach, Lung Health, Dementia Week
Get Active in Bradford District
#1DAW Challenge, Bradford 10K, Walk to School Week, May Activities and walks
Children & Young People
National Smile Month, Body Image Coach, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness course for Parents and Carers
Free Local Events
For Children, Young People & Families
Community Voice
Bradford Libraries
Free Training
FREE training with the Living Well Academy - Book Now!
 Do you want to boost your knowledge and confidence around health and wellbeing? Our Living Well Academy is offering FREE training courses for anyone who lives or works in Bradford District.
Places are limited – don’t miss out! Book your place today:
Making Every Contact Count (MECC) (Course code: MECC012)
ONLINE - Microsoft Teams: Mon 19 May: 10am – 12noon
Adult Mental Health Aware (Course code: MHFAhalf020)
IN PERSON - City Hall, Bradford: Tue 3 June: 10.30am – 2.30pm
RSPH Level 1 Health Awareness (Course code: RSPHHA020)
IN PERSON - City Hall, Bradford: Thurs 12 June: 9am – 4.30pm.
RSPH Level 2 Understanding Health Improvement (Course code: RSPHUHI015)
IN PERSON - City Hall, Bradford: Tues 1 July: 9am – 4.30pm.
You can also book a place by email - please include the course code, your full name, contact telephone number and email address.
Spotlight on Mental Health
Back to the top
Mental Health Awareness Week: 12 - 18 May
 |
|
This week, we’re celebrating how local connections can boost mental wellbeing. |
Visit the Healthy Minds blog to hear real stories in the “Filling Your Own Cup” video series and discover local groups and activities that can help you feel more connected and supported.
Hope and Light: New mental health support for ethnically and culturally diverse communities
 Hope and Light is a new culturally responsive mental health service for Black African, Black Caribbean, Central and Eastern European, and South Asian communities across Bradford District and Craven.
One-to-one support
Peer groups
Community-based activities
Specialist mental health services
BDCT Talking Therapies
 This free, confidential NHS service is for anyone aged 16+ registered with a GP in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven.
Drop by and have a chat at these upcoming events:
Shipley Library: Tue 20 May 10am - 3.30pm. 2 Well Croft, Shipley, BD18 3QH
All Nations Church Wellbeing Cafe: Thurs 22 May 11am - 2pm. North Street, Keighley, BD21 3AF
Asda Keighley: Wed 28 May 9am. Bingley Street, Keighley, BD21 3ER
Laisterdyke Library: Thurs 29 May 10am - 3.30pm. Manse Street, BD3 8RP
The Light Church: Mon 2 June 12.30 pm - 2.30pm. Jubilee Centre Wellbeing Cafe, Jermyn Street, BD1 4EJ
Bradford City Library: Wed 4 June 10am - 3.30pm. Centenary Square, BD1 1SD
New app launched to support mental health recovery
A new app is available to support people struggling with common mental health problems called Limbic Care. This new digital companion is designed to keep people informed, engaged and supported throughout their therapy journey.
The app aims to help people take an active role in their treatment and keep up the momentum between sessions. It can help people to build confidence in managing their own mental wellbeing and although early in its rollout, it’s already being well-received.
Limbic Care is available to people 16 years and over who are registered with a GP in Bradford, Wharfedale, Airedale or Craven and currently receiving support through Bradford District and Craven NHS Talking Therapies.
To access support, or refer yourself for help with anxiety, depression, or other common mental health difficulties, click the button below or call 01274 221234.
Restore Recovery College
 Restore Recovery College continue to run 4 courses in community venues in the BD4+ area. New courses starting 9 June include:
WRAP – Wellness Recovery Action Plan
Anger Management
Trauma & Me
Mindfulness Yoga
Your Health Now
Back to the top
Don’t Swerve a Sight Test
 Driving with eyesight below the legal standard can be deadly. It is estimated that 3,000 people are injured or killed by a driver with poor vision each year.
Get your eyes tested by an optician every 2 years it’s quick, easy and free for many.
Watch this short film with 8 top tips for looking after your eye health.
Drink Coach
 |
|
Has alcohol had an impact on your community? You can talk to an alcohol professional for free online support. |
Book up to 6 free sessions with a coach to make positive changes to your drinking or take a 2 min test to assess your drinking - just click the pink button below.
Lung Health Roadshow 23 May
 Bradford District & Craven Health and Care Partnership are hosting a Lung Health Roadshow at Tesco Superstore car park (Peel Centre BD1 4RB) on 23 May.
To raise awareness of the lung health check programme being phased across GP practices for smokers and ex-smokers aged 55 to 74, they're touring Bradford district with some giant lungs to answer questions about lung health.
Lung health checks can help find signs of lung cancer early – there are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer which is why screening is important.
Dementia Action Week: 19 - 25 May
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect the brain. Dementia affects memory, speech and understanding and early diagnosis can make a big difference.
Each type of dementia stops a person’s brain cells (neurones) from working properly, affecting their ability to remember, think and speak. Dementia can affect a person at any age, but it is more common in people over the age of 65.
Worried about symptoms? Use this Alzheimer’s Society symptoms checklist to start the conversation with your GP.
The Bradford Dementia Hub provides information and advice to people in Bradford affected by dementia. They are open Mon - Thurs: 9 - 5pm and Fri: 9 - 4:30pm. Call. 01274 065 060.
Information in other community languages is available here and further information about Living Well with Dementia can be found here
Join the University of Bradford for events to mark Dementia Action Week!
 Dementia Action Week is our chance to spotlight the incredible initiatives supporting people affected by dementia across the UK.
Here at the University of Bradford's Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, we're buzzing with excitement about our packed schedule of events that celebrate the valuable contributions of our experts by experience – those living with or supporting someone with dementia – alongside the groundbreaking work of our researchers.
Age Without Limits Day: 11 June
 Celebrate ageing and challenge ageism! Join the movement to recognise the contributions of older generations.
Get involved by hosting or participating in an event, you can help celebrate the diverse experiences of growing older and tackle ageism in your community.
If you're part of a community group with older members, why not get involved?
Diabetes Week: 9 - 15 June
Raising awareness about Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes:
An autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells.
Type 2 Diabetes:
The most common type, where the body struggles to produce or respond to insulin.
Gestational Diabetes:
High blood sugar during pregnancy, usually resolving after birth.
Worried you might have diabetes? Don’t wait, speak to your GP or take a free NHS health check if you’re aged 40-74.
More information and support about Diabetes can be found on the NHS website or on Diabetes UK’s website, where information can also be found in different languages
Get Active in Bradford District
Back to the top
#1DAW Challenge - One Day a Week
Active Travel means getting about in a way that makes you physically active like walking, cycling, scooting or wheeling.
It usually means short journeys, like walking to the shops or to school, cycling to work or to see friends and family, or walking to get the bus/train instead of taking the car.
For the #1DAW challenge we encourage Bradford residents to travel actively - then take a fabulous photo and this will be your entry into that month’s prize draw.
Send your photo to 1dayaweek@mosodi.co.uk or post on social media using #my1DAW and #bradford and tag 1dayaweek to enter the monthly £100.00 prize draw!
 |
|
The winning photo will make us smile, will be nice and clear and make us want to get active, so get snapping!
One photo per person per day.
|
Are you ready for Walk to School Week?
 19-23 May is Walk to School Week and we want to encourage as many children as possible to walk, wheel, cycle or scoot to school and join in with this year’s Walk to School Week!
If you usually drive your children to school and can’t walk the whole journey, you can still join in by parking a little further away and maybe walking at least some of the way. Don’t forget to snap a picture for the #1DAW challenge!
Bradford’s biggest running event returns!
 The Bradford 10km Run returns for 2025 on Sunday 1 June, starting from Centenary Square, Bradford, BD1 1HY.
Get ready to celebrate Bradford 2025 City of Culture and Epilepsy Action’s 75th anniversary. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or attempting the 6.2-mile course for the first time, everyone is welcome! Mark your calendars, sign up now and get training!
Well Together Service – May activities & walks schedule
The Well Together Service May schedule of walks and activities is now available.
This free, volunteer-led programme supports physical and mental wellbeing across Bradford district. Well Together is for adults aged 18 years or over and welcomes service users with long term health conditions. Please note, people must be independent enough to leave their home un-aided and be well enough to access an activity in the local community run by a volunteer.
New walk highlight: Shipley Walkers is a newly established group led by Walk Leader John Williams. The group explores a variety of scenic routes each week, including the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Roberts Park, Northcliffe Park, and Baildon Green.
Meeting time: 11am every Wednesday. Meeting point: Bench at the side of Shipley Town Hall (between Kirkgate and Manor Lane)
If you would like to join any Well Together activity please click the pink button below to find out how to get referred or how to refer yourself.
Children and Young People
Back to the top
National Smile Month: 12 May - 12 June
 It’s National Smile Month – Let’s Celebrate Healthy Smiles!
Looking after your child’s teeth is a great way to spend time together and build fun, healthy habits that last a lifetime. National Smile Month is the perfect reminder that a few simple steps at home can keep little smiles happy, bright and strong!
Top Tips for Happy, Healthy Smiles:
Brush together twice a day
Use fluoride toothpaste (min. 1000 ppm)
Pick tooth-friendly snacks
Drink water or milk between meals
Avoid food after bedtime brushing
Visit the dentist regularly – NHS dental care for children is free! - For more advice or to find a dentist visit Dental services - NHS
 For urgent dental care, call 111.
Let’s work together to keep those little smiles shining bright – this month and beyond!
Body Image Coach
 |
|
Body Image Coach for teens BDD & eating disorders. |
Body Image Coach are a Subsidised Early Intervention Online Service for Teens, supporting all young people around BDD & Eating Disorders. They are a team of qualified and accredited coaches, therapists and volunteers with lived experience of body image disorders.
They get it - they've been there and are passionate about what they do.
They have a range of free resources available for young people, parents and schools, including videos and workshops (use password: Bodyimagecoach), webinars and even a podcast on Spotify
FREE Drugs and Alcohol Awareness course for Parents and Carers
 |
|
Are you concerned about your child/young person using drugs or other substances? |
Increase your understanding about substance use and learn how to get help and support.
Tuesday 10 June. 10am – 12pm online. Places must be booked in advance.
Please click the pink button below to send an email to book your place.
Free Local Events for Children, Young People & Families
Back to the top
Nature's Hope
Saturday 24 May. 11am – 3pm, Lister Park Gardens (Cartwright Hall), BD9.
A FREE family friendly day for nature: stalls, art & crafts, forest school, talks and workshops, poetry corner and story time and a pop-up interactive nature art gallery.
Silsden Youth Expo
Saturday 7 June. 12.30 – 1.30pm, Silsden Town Hall.
A free event for families to find out about support and activities in the local area for children aged 5 - 19. There will be people to chat to from local youth clubs, organisations supporting children and more – just pop in, no booking required!
Family Pride Party
Saturday 14 June 2025. 10.30am at The Beacon at Bowling Park (by The Lodge café).
Celebrate creativity, individuality and self-expression with a family-friendly Pride celebration. The day will include story-time, lip sync fun, express yourself (come dressed to impress or explore the dressing-up station, then strut your stuff on the catwalk), and arts and crafts. Suitable for families and people of all ages. Free, just drop in and join in the fun!
Community Voice
Back to the top
Have your say on Bradford Libraries service!
Last year Bradford Council had a review of the Bradford Libraries Service and developed a new draft 5-year strategy for 2025 to 2030.
They would like to ask people in Bradford district to complete a survey to give their views on the draft strategy, to help shape it before it's finalised.
If you have any questions, you can email public.libraries@bradford.gov.uk
Click here to view the draft strategy. Please click the button below to complete the survey by 30 June 2025.
Stay up to date: Follow us on social media
Back to the top
|
