Want to know how to feel happier, more confident and worry less right now? Would you like to learn new ways of dealing with what life throws at you? If so, joining a free Living Life to the Full course beginning this August at Cornerstone House in Cumbernauld town centre could be ideal for you.
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, Living Life to the Full is a fun and interactive course that will help you understand your feelings, thoughts and behaviours, and what to do about them.
The award-winning course provides participants with key knowledge in how to develop skills to tackle feelings of depression, worry, anxiety 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. Indeed, it is the perfect tonic for people who recognise that mental health challenges are having a variety of negative effects on their lives.
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. Two courses are available, with the first course option beginning on Wednesday 21 August 2024 from 12.45pm-2.15pm at Cornerstone House (1 Esk Walk, Town Centre, Cumbernauld, G67 1BZ). Thereafter, weekly 90-minute sessions will take place at the same time and venue every week until Wednesday 9 October 2024. The second course option will commence on Thursday 22 August 2024 from 11.15am-12.45pm at the same venue, taking place every Thursday until Thursday 10 October 2024.
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. Craig Russell, Engagement and Development Officer 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 August to October.
“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 seven 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.”
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. To this end, 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 August, or would like to refer a client who may be keen to sign up, please contact Cornerstone House Centre on 01236 739220 or email health@cornerstone-house.org.uk.