Hello Everyone and welcome to our new and improved newsletter 'The Network' 

We are the Bracknell Forest Community Network. Our aim is to support individuals living with a range of mental health conditions to remain socially included by better understanding their mental health and supporting them in preventing relapses, building resilience, confidence, life skills and so much more. If you would like more information about us please click on this link - Bracknell Forest Community Network (BFCN) | Bracknell Forest Council (bracknell-forest.gov.uk)

The Happiness Hub is a collaboration of services offering mental health and wellbeing advice. Partners ranging from the Bracknell Forest Community Network to Sport in Mind have come together to support individuals aged 18 years and over living in Bracknell Forest and the surrounding areas.

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week topic was 'Loneliness'. We all feel loneliness from time to time and everyone's experience of loneliness will differ as well. Being lonely doesn't necessarily mean being alone, you can feel lonely in a room full of people. Through the pandemic many people experienced the feeling of being lonely more than ever and we wanted to do something about it.  

The Happiness Hub created walks to combat loneliness and have that feel good feeling that comes with exercise and socializing. The walks were held in different places across Bracknell Forest offering a wide range of activities to take in the natural beauty of the borough, try new activities and meet new people. What better way to meet and chat than to take a walk and enjoy a coffee together afterwards! 

Bracknell Forest Community Network started the week off with a walk at Jennetts Park. Meeting at Peacocks Farm Pub we walked through the beautiful and calm Tarmens Copse followed by the Big Wood where the blue bells took center stage!  The sight and smell were something to behold! We then headed back to Peacocks Farm for a chat and a hot drink. Whilst we were walking and marveling at the blue bells, Stepping Stones Recovery College had their brilliant Open day showcasing all they do and more. A flash mob took over The Lexicon to celebrate Mental Health Awareness week and the Stepping Stones Open day, did you see it? Check out our Facebook page @BershireHappinessHub to see the flash mob and pictures from each walk!! 

Tuesday we ventured to Lily Hill Park with Friends in Need for a lovely walk around the historical park featuring woodlands, formal gardens and a unique wooden sculpture. We brought along a picnic lunch and ate it on the longest picnic table in England which is made from a single piece of wood! The weather started off wet and miserable but we powered through and were treated to a lunch in the sun thankfully! 

Wednesday was a very wet day for The Social Prescribers at The Look Out with their walk, bike rides and crafts. They walked around the stunning Swinley Forest with its mature pine woodland and Roman Fort. They then got creative making bird feeders. 

Thursday was a little brighter for The Sandhurst Walking Group in the afternoon. Meeting at Sandhurst Memorial Park and heading around the peaceful Balance Pond then along Blackwater River watching out for Kingfishers along the way! No Kingfishers this time but lots of cows and ducklings! Then finishing at the cozy Pistachio in The Park Café for a hot drink.  

Friday was our big event at the beautiful South Hill Park. Sports in Mind ran a Tai Chi class and a walk around the park taking in the beautiful landscaped gardens, lakes and woodland. The Happiness Hub invited lots of different community services to showcase what they offer around the Bracknell Forest area - Youth Line, Pilgrim Hearts, Miriam Grace and The Ark to name a few! A truly positive end to a fantastic week. Did you attend any of the walks? What did you think? 

Look out for more Happiness Hub events happening soon... 

Helpful tips to reduce loneliness from Mind - About loneliness - Mind

A new initiative, designed to learn more about how we can better support the mental health and wellbeing of young adults, was launched on Friday 13 May with a discussion group attended by eighteen, 18 to 35 year old's from the Bracknell Forest area.

The evening was hosted by Stepping Stones recovery college and supported by Friends in Need, Mad millennials, Mind and the Community Network, the collaborative working group now focusing on this population. The findings from this discussion group will be made available at the end of June and the working group will use these findings to guide the next stage of co-creating new ideas with young adults. Exciting thing are happening and we look forward to watching 'Healthy Minds' grow in Bracknell Forest. 

This month the BFCN staff were invited to attend some hands on Dementia training in a specially adapted bus, it provided an interactive experience of what living with dementia might feel like.

As part of the training you were given shoe insoles, gloves, glasses and headphones to put on and then you entered the bus. This immersed you into the world of a person living with dementia, replicating how they see, feel and hear the world around them and experience the challenge of daily tasks.

Feedback from Lisa “It was really good training, it was a hands on and an eye-opening experience, made me feel very emotional.”

In 2022, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service.

Although, the date of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee was actually on Sunday, 6 February, The Queen chose not to celebrate it on this day as it was the anniversary of her fathers death. 

Instead, the first week of June was chosen for the celebratory weekend, in line with the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees. Historically, the Queen’s previous Jubilees have taken place in the first or second week of June. The weather tends to be a lot nicer in June as well compared to February! 

Whatever you have planned for the Jubilee weekend, celebrating at home or out and about, we hope you have a lovely long weekend. 

For our monthly recipe, why not try these easy scones from BBC Food. A true staple to any afternoon tea.

                                           Mary Berry's Scones

Ingredients - 

• 450g/1lb self raising flour 
• 2 level tsp baking powder 
• 50g/1¾oz caster sugar 
• 100g/3½oz butter, softened, cut into pieces
• 2 free-range eggs
• a little milk 
• handful sultanas (optional)

Method - 

1. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7. Lightly grease two baking trays.
2. Put the flour, baking powder and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. Crack the eggs into a measuring jug, then add enough milk to make the total liquid 300ml/10fl oz. Stir the egg and milk into the flour – you may not need it all – and mix to a soft, sticky dough.
4. Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface, knead lightly and work in the sultanas, if using. Roll out to a rectangle about 2cm/¾in thick.
5. Cut into as many rounds as possible with a fluted 5cm/2in cutter and place them on the prepared baking trays. Brush the tops of the scones with a little extra milk, or any egg and milk left in the jug.
6. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the scones are well risen and a pale, golden-brown colour. Lift onto a wire rack to cool. Eat as fresh as possible.
7. To serve, split the scones and serve with strawberry jam on the plain scones along with a good dollop of clotted cream.

Recipe Link - Mary Berry's scones recipe - BBC Food

After the success of our first Network Meeting in May post lockdown. We are excited to announce that the next Network Meeting will be on Monday, 13 June at A Cup of Rosie in Easthampstead House at 11am until 12pm.     

After the feedback we received at the first meeting, we decided to invite Jem from Tinkers to join us with her fantastic Boredom Boxes for a special crafty Monday morning.

Each box contains - 

• 1x large flower
• 1x paint brush
• 1x trio paint pots

It’s a great activity to take part in and you will love the final product which you will get to take home with you. Jem from Tinkers will be there to talk to you and you will even get a chance to purchase a boredom box for another time if you would like. For more information on TINKERS please visit their website Boredom Boxes Painting Kits — TINKERS (tinkersgifts.co.uk)

Come and start the week with us at the Network Meeting with a slice of cake, drink, painting and lots of chat. We will be there to support you and of course join in!

• Date - Monday, 13 June 
• Time - 11am to 12pm 
• Venue - Cup of Rosie in Easthampstead House at The Lexicon 

If you are interested in joining our Network Meeting, please email bfcn@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or let a facilitator know you would like to come.  

We have the pleasure to announce our first Face to Face Wellbeing Session since the Pandemic. We will be doing a mixture of face to face and online Wellbeing sessions to suit everybody’s needs.

Our first session will be about ‘Coping Strategies’ with Jo from Bucks Mind.

Many of us may have experienced increased stress and anxiety over the last couple of years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. We've had a lot to cope with and how we cope plays a big role in our mental wellbeing. So this session is about having some time out for yourself - to pause and reflect on your personal coping strategies, how these might have been effected by the pandemic and what has helped you to cope.

• Date – Wednesday, 22 June 2022
• Time – 1:45pm to 4:15pm
• Venue – Bracknell Open Learning Centre       

Teas and coffees will be provided. A facilitator will be there to support you as well as Jo.

If you are interested in joining the Wellbeing Session please email bfcn@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or let a facilitator know you would like to come. 

What's going on around Bracknell forest in June? 

Retro Roller Rink  

Get your skates ready...There is a Roller Rink popping up at The Look out! Starting on Thursday 2 June until Sunday 5 June.

The roller rink is part of The Look Out’s wider celebration of The Platinum Jubilee. This will include a special new menu inspired by Her Majesty The Queen. The new menu includes such royal delights as a coronation chicken sandwich and a selection of desserts to finish off with. 

More info and booking - Retro roller rink | Bracknell Forest Council (bracknell-forest.gov.uk)

South Hill Park - The Festival of Food and Music 

Starting on Friday 3 June 2022 until Sunday 5 June, South Hill Park will be having their annual Festival of Food and Music. 

The Festival of Food and Music returns this summer – and this year it will also be a celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

It’s free entry to this unmissable event for all ages No need to book tickets in advance, just turn up on the day and bring the sunshine!

More info - South Hill Park's Festival of Food and Music | Bracknell Forest Council (bracknell-forest.gov.uk)

For more Jubilee Events - Events | Bracknell Forest Council (bracknell-forest.gov.uk)

Greenspace Guided Walks 

Starting Thursday, 16 June Bracknell Forest will be starting their Greenspace Guided walk event. 

The walks are being funded by the Capability Fund from the Department for Transport. The fund helps local transport authorities provide cycling and walking facilities and activities.

Residents who sign up to these walks will enjoy fresh air, exercise and making friends along the way.

Booking is essential as there are limited spaces available for each walk.

Link to schedule and booking page - Greenspace guided walks | Bracknell Forest Council (bracknell-forest.gov.uk)

This newsletter is especially for you, and we would love to involve you as much as we can! 

Accomplished something you're proud of? Why not share it with us and we will add it to our newsletter. 

Have a recipe that everyone loves? Share it with us! 

Read a good book recently? We'd love to post about it!  

Any suggestions on a post? Or would you like to write something for us? We'd love that! 

We would love to hear from you!  Email BFCN@bracknell-forest.gov.uk