Today is Blue Monday – but help is on hand to lift spirits

A CHARITY is offering a host of courses to help people banish the January Blues.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Jan 2015, 06:00 BST
Blue Monday childrens music session at East Durham Community Development Trust, Yoden Road, Peterlee, one of a number of coyurses being run to cheer people up in January. l-r Emma Taylor and son Logan, Reece Rountree and twins Elaina and Scarlett and Jessican Willams and son Flangan.Blue Monday childrens music session at East Durham Community Development Trust, Yoden Road, Peterlee, one of a number of coyurses being run to cheer people up in January. l-r Emma Taylor and son Logan, Reece Rountree and twins Elaina and Scarlett and Jessican Willams and son Flangan.
Blue Monday childrens music session at East Durham Community Development Trust, Yoden Road, Peterlee, one of a number of coyurses being run to cheer people up in January. l-r Emma Taylor and son Logan, Reece Rountree and twins Elaina and Scarlett and Jessican Willams and son Flangan.

Today is Blue Monday when Christmas is a distant memory and summer seems a long way off.

To help lift people’s spirits and teach new skills The East Durham Trust, in Peterlee, are offering people the chance to take part in a variety of courses.

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Courses range from arts and crafts to sign language and are designed to help improve people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

They are part of a Colour Your Life project, which is funded by Durham County Council Public Health and directs people to support in the community.

Malcolm Fallow, chief executive of East Durham Trust, said: “The Colour Your Life project recognises the importance of people having access to opportunities to learn new skills whilst also making new friends.

“The courses are set in an informal environment and everyone is made to feel very welcome.

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“Those coming along also have the opportunity to progress onto new things such as volunteering, though there certainly is no expectation of this and primarily its all about socialising and having some fun.”

Courses are free to attend and run for 10 weeks, with new courses becoming available all of the time. They are:

* Mondays – Beginners Sign Language 1.30pm–2.30pm starting on February 2.

* Wednesdays – Jewellery Making, 10.30am-12.30pm and Family Arts and Crafts at 3.30pm– 4.30pm. Confidence Building. Helps people with anxiety, depression or low self-esteem through different techniques, including support in improving relaxation and positive psychology at 1pm—3pm, begins January 28. * Thursdays – arts & crafts, 1pm-3pm. All abilities welcome. An Art Journaling session is also held from 10am-noon.

* Fridays – Children’s Music Session, 10.45am–11.45am for babies to pre-school.

Related topics:ChristmasPeterlee