Beating the blues on Monday 20th January
Hope For The Community presents Hope Monday, a free webinar for wellbeing.
Feeling down on the third Monday of January? You're not alone - it's known as Blue Monday, the saddest day of the year. But there's hope! Social enterprise, Hope For The Community CIC, presents Hope Monday, a free, expert-led wellbeing webinar on Blue Monday to learn strategies for improving your health and beating the winter blues.
On 20th January from 10AM to 3PM, Hope For The Community CIC is spinning Blue Monday around. Instead of wallowing in the woe, join in a celebration of hope, with guided mindfulness, an introduction to creativity, gratitude, and happy songs. Rooted in the evidence-based strategies included in our Hope Programme self-management courses, Hope Monday is designed to lift your mood on what is alleged to be the least happy day of the year.
The webinar is open to the public and registration is free.
Programme of events*
10.00am - 10:15am
A Warm Welcome to Hope Monday with Dr Anna Lynall
10:15am - 11:15 am
Winter wellness – gearing up your immunity for the winter with Dr Tim Robinson - Discover the perfect balance of nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle choices to empower your immune system. With 30 years of experience in General Practice with a specialist interest in Long COVID. Dr Tim Robinson is Hope For The Community’s named Clinical Safety Officer.
11:15am - 11:30am
COMFORT BREAK
11:30am - 12pm
Music for the soul with DJ Mike - Join Mike Howard, DJ & Hope facilitator for a podcast of hope-inspired tunes. Mike has worked for Carer’s Trust and is a long-time facilitator for Hope. RadioCare has been set up by Mike to lift the spirits of carers, it connects thousands of people around the world every week.
12pm - 12:30pm
Yoga reset – an introduction to gentle movement with Rachel Meller - join a gentle yoga session that focuses on releasing unnecessary muscular tension, whilst regulating the nervous system and finding more comfortable ways to move the body. A gentle practice suitable for all levels of fitness and mobility. This gentle practice is more concerned with finding ways to maintain presence and to give sensing priority over thinking. The session can be done from a chair.
COMFORT BREAK
12:30pm - 12:45pm
12.45pm - 2.00pm
Thrive and revive - creativity for wellness with Mellissa Monsoon - A well regarded and established artist, Mellissa has produced a great body of beautiful work. Experienced in running workshops and artist residencies, Mellissa will help to develop your creativity and explain how it can build confidence and wellbeing. www.mmonsoon.com
2 pm - 2.15pm
COMFORT BREAK
2.15pm - 2.45pm
Mindfulness Meditation with Dr Liz Sparkes - Compassion practice to soothe the mind and body. Nurturing for sleep, reducing anxiety and bringing balance. Dr Liz Sparkes, intuitive Coach, and Reiki Master has been working with individuals and groups for 14 years. Initially providing support as a health psychologist to enable positive changes to health, mindset, support for long term illness and pain.
She also works with NHS, Charities and Trusts supporting individuals and groups in areas including grief and loss, stress and self-compassion. Liz leads live mindfulness practice sessions on our Hope Programme courses.www.drlizsparkes.com
2.45pm - 3pm
Round up, Hope for 2025 - Hope for 2025 a summary of the day, seeking your feedback about how it may have helped you and explaining what Hope has to offer for 2025. www.h4c.org.uk/courses
*Subject to alteration, updated schedules will be posted on the day if required.
