If you live in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth or surrounding villages and want to learn skills to help cope with low mood, stress or anxiety, participating in a Living Life to the Full course beginning this April at Cornerstone House could be ideal for you.
Living Life to the Full is the perfect tonic for people who recognise that mental health challenges are having a variety of negative effects on their lives. It is suitable for people experiencing issues such as unemployment, a lack of confidence and motivation, an inability to concentrate, difficulties in trusting people, an inability to make or sustain friendships, and feelings of isolation, frustration and anxiety.
The award-winning course provides participants with key knowledge in how to develop skills to tackle feelings of depression, worry and distress arising from work, parenting, relationships and other aspects of life. It involves Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and locally the programme has been highly successful in achieving a range of positive outcomes and impacts for participants.
Weekly sessions incorporate various targeted mood and stress-related subject areas, including ‘Why do I feel so bad?’, ‘How to fix almost everything’ and ’10 things you can do to feel happier straight away’. The course is delivered in a friendly, empathetic and non-clinical way, and participants are never put on the spot or compelled to speak in front of others unless they choose to do so.
Free of charge, the course incorporates 12 hours of learning over a period of eight sessions. The first session will be on Wednesday 27 April 2022 at Cornerstone House (1 Esk Walk, Town Centre, Cumbernauld, G67 1BZ), with two available time slots of 10.30am-12.00noon or 1.15pm-2.45pm. Thereafter, weekly 90-minute sessions will take place at the same time and venue every week until Wednesday 15 June 2022.
Participants do not require any particular skills, knowledge or information before joining the course, and sessions are very informal and discursive-based. Attendees will receive a range of free resources and materials each week of the programme.
Course completers have reported meeting new people, being able to talk about how they feel and learning new skills as the main benefits of taking part.
Cornerstone House Centre has found that facilitating Living Life to the Full has helped create bonds between people facing similar problems and built bridges that assist understanding and interaction with other kinds of people. It has also helped participants to set goals and promote confidence that their aspirations can be achieved.
The organisation coordinates Living Life to the Full as part of its Cumbernauld Family Hub, an initiative supported by The National Lottery Community Fund. The Family Hub was established in 2017 as a fresh and innovative family support resource that covers a multitude of activities, creating interesting and unique personal development opportunities for local families. Cornerstone House Centre’s Living Life to the Full portfolio is also supported by Corra Foundation. Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, said:
“We are now welcoming self-referrals and referrals from partner agencies of individuals interested in participating in Living Life to the Full at Cornerstone House from April to June.
“Living Life to the Full is a fun and engaging eight-week course that provides people from all walks of life with effective tools to maximise their ability to manage life’s challenges. The group-oriented sessions focus on understanding how thoughts, feelings and behaviours work together to impact wellbeing.
“This programme can make a big difference to your life. It can help you manage your feelings when you are stressed, worried or depressed and learn simple practical skills to help you cope during difficult times.
“The course has significantly benefited hundreds of citizens of Greater Cumbernauld over the past four years. In particular, it has greatly helped those with psychological problems, including those dealing with depression (including post-natal depression), anxiety and stress-related conditions.
“Individuals who join the course this time round can be assured that stringent health and safety measures are in place within the Cornerstone House building and in the room where the training takes place in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19).
“This includes Perspex screens at reception and other areas where Centre staff and volunteers are operating, a number of hand sanitising stations and a controlled one-way walking system within the facility.”
Five Areas Ltd, the national accreditation body for Living Life to the Full, recognises Cornerstone House Centre as a fully verified provider of the programme. In this respect, the organisation can be engaged by a range of groups and service providers – including communities, statutory bodies, voluntary sector organisations, schools and mental health services – to deliver customised packages of the course.
If you would be interested in participating in Living Life to the Full this April, or would like to refer a client who may be keen to sign up, please contact Cornerstone House Centre on 01236 739220 or email familyhub@cornerstone-house.org.uk.