May: Key dates and BeWell courses, workshops and events

Graphic with title: What's on this May? BeWell@StepOne and Devon Events

Hello May!

M – Make this month count.

A – Accomplish your goals.

Y – You’ve got this!

As a new month begins, it presents itself with infinite potential, just like us. We should use this new month to start fresh and enjoy all that is around us. There is lots to do this month from holidays and observances that you can participate in, to our upcoming BeWell courses and workshops.

1st May – May Day

May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on 1 May, around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Traditions often include gathering wildflowers and green branches, weaving floral garlands and setting up a Maypole, May Tree or May Bush, around which people dance.

1st – 7th May – National Gardening Week

National Gardening Week is an annual event in the United Kingdom that celebrates the joys of gardening and encourages people to get outside and start planting.

3rd May – Managing OCD Course

This 4-week course will assist you in understanding and managing (OCD) and will cover various forms, signs and symptoms people experience. Intrusive thoughts and compulsive tasks can sometimes be very difficult to talk to others about. During this course we will encourage you to feel safe to share your concerns and to feel heard.

6th May – King Charles III Coronation

King Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May at Westminster Abbey in London. On the day of the ceremony, the King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort and a host of other events have been planned throughout the weekend. An extra bank holiday has been confirmed on Monday, 8 May to mark the occasion.

11th May – Wellbeing & Resilience Course

This 4-week online course will allow you to consider and practice techniques to maintain good wellbeing and look at ways you can become more resilient, helping you to recognise the strengths that you already have so that you can take better care of yourself.

12th May – International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day (IND) is an international day observed around the world on 12th May (the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth) each year, to mark the contributions that nurses make to society.

15th – 21st May – Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week is an ideal time for us all to think about mental health, tackle stigma, and find out how we can create a society that prevents mental health problems from developing and protects our mental well-being.

This years Mental Health Awareness Week’s theme is ‘Anxiety’.

21st May – The Great West Run

Step One Charity is thrilled to announce our partnership with The Elysium Healthcare Great West Run in May 2023.

The 13.1 mile course is a beautiful journey through Exeter, starting and ending at Exeter Arena Athletics Stadium, featuring a mix of city and countryside views.

24th May – World Schizophrenia Day

World Schizophrenia Day is celebrated each year on 24th of May to honour Dr Phillippe Pinel who did much for the treatment and management of this mental illness. It is an opportunity to become more aware of schizophrenia.

26th May – Supporting Your Sleep Workshop

This 2 hour online workshop provides an opportunity to learn more about and discuss problems with sleep. Learn how sleep cycles work, and discover strategies to help improve your sleep and overall wellbeing.

31st May – Challenging Negative Self-Talk Workshop

This 2 hour online workshop will help you to challenge that voice and consider alternative possibilities to make your inner voice more positive.

“April showers bring May flowers”. May is a very positive month in general, with lots to celebrate and warmer weather slowly arriving, bringing Devon to life. This is a sign to take some time this month for yourself and your personal growth. Whether you’re learning new skills, raising awareness for important causes, or simply taking a moment to relax, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Let’s enjoy May and all it brings!

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.

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