“June is the time for being in the world in new ways, for throwing off the cold and dark spots of life.” – Joan D. Chittister
June marks the halfway point of the year and the beginning of summer. There‘s lots to do this month from holidays and events that you can participate in, to our upcoming BeWell courses and workshops.
1st – 7th June – Volunteers Week
This week is a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you. It also gives you the opportunity to get inspired to volunteer for a cause that’s important to you.
5th June – The Big Lunch
The Big Lunch is the perfect event to bring your local community together. June marks a whole month of community, where you can get together and celebrate everything that makes our communities great!
7th June – Global Running Day
Global Running Day is a day that celebrates the sport of running. It is held annually on the first Wednesday of June. Participants of all ages and abilities pledge to take part in some type of running activity by submitting their names through the Global Running Day website. www.globalrunningday.org
9th June – Managing Stress and Worry Course
This 4-week online course looks at a variety of self-help strategies that can help us learn to recognise, understand, and manage stress and worry, at the same time offering a chance to benefit from peer support and through sharing your experiences with like-minded others. The course aims to help reduce the various impacts that stress and worry can bring, helping to improve our overall mental health and wellbeing.
12th – 18th June – Loneliness Awareness Week
Loneliness Awareness Week was launched in 2017 by Marmalade Trust to get people talking about loneliness, break the stigma around the subject and to support each other. If you’re feeling a bit disconnected at the moment, we want to remind you that help is out there and you are not alone.
Get involved in Loneliness Awareness Week: www.lonelinessawarenessweek.org
12th -18th June – Men’s Health Week
Men’s Health Week’s goal is to increase awareness of male health issues on a global level and to encourage inter- and intra-national institutions to develop health policies and services that meet the specific needs of men, boys, and their families. This year’s theme is men’s health and the internet.
Find out more here: www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw
18th June – Father’s Day
This year Father’s Day falls on Sunday 18th June 2023, where families come together to celebrate fathers, grandfathers, and other paternal figures in our lives.
21st June – Summer Solstice
The summer solstice occurs in June in the Northern Hemisphere and marks midsummer: the ‘longest day’ and ‘shortest night’ of the year. On this day, the number of hours of daylight are at their maximum, while the number of hours of night are at their minimum. The start of summer and the summer solstice are celebrated in cultures and religions around the world with various traditions, holidays, and festivals.
19th – 26th June – Learning Disability Week
Learning Disability Week will take place from the 19th-26th June. The event is organised every year by the learning disability charity, Mencap. It aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with learning disabilities by raising awareness about important issues, fighting stigma and discrimination, and raising funds for outreach and support programs.
29th June – Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar which usually starts with Muslims going to the Mosque for prayers. They dress in their best clothes and thank Allah for all the blessings they have received. It is a time when they visit family and friends. Muslims will also give money to charity so that poor people can celebrate too.
June is associated with relaxation and nature, which are both great factors for contributing positively to mental health and wellbeing. Let’s use this month to learn new skills, create new connections, raise awareness for important causes, or take some time to unwind.
Along with our BeWell@StepOne self-help courses and workshops, our experienced trainers also run weekly/fortnightly online and in-person peer support groups.These groups offer you an opportunity to meet others, share your experiences, discuss the techniques learnt in our courses, and develop self-management techniques to maintain good mental health.